If you’re a little late to the gardening party this year, don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Whether life got busy, the weather didn’t cooperate, or you’re just a self-proclaimed “impatient gardener,” there’s still time to fill your yard with vibrant blooms. Believe it or not, you can go from bare soil to beautiful flowers in just a few short weeks.
Fast-growing flowers are the secret weapon for last-minute gardeners. These blooms don’t just germinate quickly—they also thrive with minimal fuss and put on a colorful show all season long. In fact, some of them sprout in under a week and bloom in as little as 40 days!
Whether you want a lush pollinator garden, a cheerful border, or a few sunny containers on your porch, these quick-blooming favorites deliver beauty—fast. Let’s dig into 21 flowers that are practically made for procrastinators.
1. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
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Lively gold and orange blooms that attract beneficial insects and repel pests. This cheerful annual sprouts in 5–10 days and begins flowering within 45–55 days.
Plant directly after the last frost in full sun, and deadhead spent blooms every few weeks for continuous color.
2. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
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Bold, eye-catching flowers in almost infinite colors—perfect for cutting and containers. They germinate quickly (within 4–10 days) and flower in just 50–60 days.
Ideal for hot spots, zinnias thrive in sunlight and need weekly deadheading to maximize bloom production.
3. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
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Fragrant, low-growing blooms that make excellent borders or ground covers. Germination occurs in 8–10 days, with flowers appearing in 40–60 days.
Best planted early or later in the season to avoid intense heat, and prune regularly to encourage a fresh flush of blooms.
4. Bachelor’s Buttons (Centaurea cyanus)
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Charming cottage-garden stars in blues, pinks, and whites—excellent for pollinators. These flowers germinate in 7–15 days and start blooming in 45–60 days.
Direct sow in sunny spots and expect self-seeding for effortless year-to-year appeal.
5. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus & sulphureus)
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Daisy-like blooms in pinks, whites, and reds that love heat and dryness. Seeds sprout in 5–10 days and flower approximately 50–60 days after planting.
Plant after frost in well-drained soil, and keep deadheading spent flowers to encourage rebloom.
6. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
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Bright orange or yellow blooms that help repel pests and attract beneficial insects. They germinate in 4–10 days and bloom within 45–60 days.
Enjoy full sun and well-drained soil, and they make a great companion in vegetable beds.
7. California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica)
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Golden cup-shaped flowers that self-seed and thrive in poor, dry soil. Blossoms typically begin 45–60 days post-germination (within two weeks).
Direct sow after frost, and plant again in midsummer for fall blooms.
8. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
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Edible flowers and leaves in vibrant hues, resistant to drought and pests. They germinate in 7–14 days and bloom in 56–84 days.
Avoid high-nutrient soil, provide afternoon shade in hot climates, and enjoy both visual appeal and culinary use.
9. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
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Floriferous spikes that add height and charm, attracting pollinators. They sprout in 7–10 days and begin blooming after about 56 days.
Best started indoors and transplanted post-frost; thrive in cooler weather with a regular deadhead.
10. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
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Sunny, cheerful blooms are perfect for trellises, borders, or cutting. Germination occurs in 6–12 days, with flowering in 50–60 days for fast-growing varieties.
Dwarf types like ‘Ruby Eclipse’ bloom quickest—use staking if needed in windy areas.
11. Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)
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Evening-blooming, petunia-like flowers that flourish in late summer and attract pollinators. Seeds germinate in 5–10 days, with full bloom in about 84 days.
Self-seeds easily—remove spent blooms for tidiness or let them naturalize in your plot.
12. Morning Glories (Ipomoea spp.)
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Trailing vines with bold, trumpet blooms that thrive on trellises. Seeds sprout in 5–14 days, with flowers in 60–90 days.
Soak seeds before planting, provide full sun, and add trellis support early for best growth. Keep in mind these can quickly become invasive.
13. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
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Lively yellow blooms that thrive in heat and poor soils. Germinates in roughly 10 days, blooming after about 60 days.
Grow in full sun and well-drained conditions; deadhead regularly to extend flowering.
14. Phlox (Phlox drummondii)
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Colorful clusters of blooms are ideal for borders and containers. Seeds germinate in ~10 days, and flowers appear within 50–75 days.
Plant in spring post-frost, and deadhead to encourage continuous blooming into summer.
15. Larkspur (Consolida ajacis)
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Tall spires offering dramatic vertical interest and pollinator appeal. Germinates in 14–21 days, with blooms around 60 days.
Direct sow after frost; enjoy in mixed borders or group plantings with partial shade.
16. Pansies/Violas (Viola x wittrockiana)
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Cool-season favorites with charming, winter-hardy blooms. Seeds germinate in 7–20 days and flower in 60–120 days, depending on planting time.
Start indoors early and transplant; keep soil moist and watch temps as cooler temperatures encourage better blooming.
17. Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)
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Drought-resistant succulents with bright, cheerful flowers. They sprout in ~7–14 days and bloom within ~60 days.
Favor sunny, sandy soil—regular deadheading keeps colors vibrant all summer long.
18. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora)
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Warm-toned blooms that handle heat and drought beautifully. Germinates in about 10 days, with flowering around 60 days.
Plant in full sun with loose, well-drained soil; deadhead regularly to encourage prolonged display.
It’s Not Too Late!
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These fast-growing beauties allow you to plant late and still enjoy a colorful, pollinator-friendly garden before the season ends.
Start with the quickest growers—zinnias, calendula, cornflower—and layer in vines and heat-loving plants for dimension and texture. With blooms in under 10 weeks, you’ll have a garden that feels fresh, vibrant, and perfectly in step with your schedule.
