What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (2023)

If you're new to the gardening game, you'll want to know which flowers are best for beginners. There's no point diving straight into exotic blooms or trying your hand at hard to raise varieties until you've mastered the basics, but spring is the perfect time to get those initial foundations under your belt.

Now that sunnier weather and longer days are finally with us you might be looking to spend more time in your backyard, and there's a chance that involves gardening. Even if you're not especially green-thumbed, growing your own flowers is simple if you know where to start.

The best flowers for beginner gardeners

With the help of some expert gardeners, we've listed the 7 best options for beginners, all of which can be planted in your backyard right now for beautiful blooms later in the year.

1. Marigolds

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (1)

(Image credit: Alamy )

If you want to get started with planting some bright and cheery flowers in your backyard, marigolds are a great place to start. 'These cheerful flowers come in various warm colors, are easy to grow from seed, and thrive in full sun,' explains Diana Cox (opens in new tab), a horticultural expert at The Gardening Talk. 'They're also great for attracting beneficial insects to the garden for wildlife gardening.'

According to Richa Kedia (opens in new tab), gardening expert and blogger at The Nursery Lady, marigolds are also low-maintenance plants that are resistant to pests and diseases, making them really useful for beginners. 'They can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions but prefer full sun,' she says. 'Simply sow the seeds directly in the garden in spring or early summer after the last frost. Water regularly and remember to deadhead the flowers to encourage more blooms. You can also pinch back the plants when they're young to promote bushier growth.'

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (2) (opens in new tab)

Editor's choice

Marigold seeds, Amazon (opens in new tab)

For bright and bushy blooms, these crackerjack marigold seeds are one of the best varieties. These seeds will quickly grow into displays of beautiful gold, yellow, and orange flowers in no time. They're also the perfect companion plants for vegetables as they help to keep bugs and pests at bay.

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2. Sunflowers

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (3)

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Sunflowers are loved by all for their bright yellow petals and tall, elegant stems, often towering over other plants in the garden. If you prefer though, you can also buy bushier varieties that are better suited to container gardening.

(Video) Top Five Easy Care Flowers for Your Garden (Great for Beginners!)

'Sunflowers are an easy-to-grow and low-maintenance plant, but they do require regular watering and staking,' says Reese L Robins (opens in new tab), gardening expert atJust Pure Gardening. 'They have bright, cheerful flowers that can grow to impressive heights, adding a dramatic focal point to a garden.'

These hardy flowers will grow well in a variety of soil types, making them suitable for most growing zones. To plant them, add the seeds directly to your soil in late spring or early summer, after the last frost. 'Alternatively, you can start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost date (around now for many climates) and then transplant them outdoors once they have grown,' says Richa. 'Water them regularly, especially during dry spells, and provide support for taller stalks, such as a stake or trellis.'

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (4) (opens in new tab)

Editor's choice

Sunflower seeds, Walmart (opens in new tab)

These sunflower seeds from Ferry-Morse, available at Walmart, promise freshness for better germination rates. This Mammoth Sunflower variety is an easy-to-grow summer annual and the state flower of Kansas. The enormous heads grow over a foot long and produce huge seeds suitable for eating.

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3. Nasturtium

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (5)

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These bright beauties fall somewhere between a flower and a vegetable because they're entirely edible (they're an especially good ingredient for salads, where they add a peppery kick akin to rocket leaves).

'Nasturtium plants are relatively low maintenance and can tolerate a range of growing conditions, including full sun and partial shade, making them ideal for beginner gardeners,' says Reese. 'They have bright, colorful flowers in red, orange, and yellow hues that add a playful touch to a garden bed.' They're also one of the best flowers for hanging baskets.

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (6) (opens in new tab)

Editor's choice

(Video) 15 Perennials Every Garden Should Have! ๐Ÿ’ช๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ’š // Garden Answer

Trailing nasturtium seeds, Amazon (opens in new tab)

This pack of nasturtium seeds from Amazon contains over one full ounce of pure seeds, enough to cover 20 square feet. This trailing variety is a stunning low growing wildflower that attracts local pollinators and is also edible with a bright peppery flavor, perfect for salads.

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4. Zinnias

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (7)

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'Zinnias are low-maintenance plants that are resistant to drought and pests,' explains Richa. These pom-pom-like flowers come in an array of different hues, from pink and red to orange and purple, making them a perfect way to add a burst of color to your flower beds.

'Sow the seeds directly in the garden in late spring or early summer,' Richa advises. 'Alternatively, you can start them indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date and then transplant them outdoors once they've grown.' Since they're resistant to drought, these flowers are a great beginner plant for anyone who isn't good at sticking to watering schedules. However, they will thrive best in a very warm location where they receive at least eight hours of sun, so consider this when planting them.

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (8) (opens in new tab)

Editor's choice

Zinnia seeds, Amazon (opens in new tab)

These seeds from Sweet Yards, available at Amazon, produce huge colorful blooms from this heirloom mix, including red, pink, purple, orange, yellow and white flowers, roughly 5" across. They're the perfect way to line a border and inject some color to your outdoor spaces.

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5. Pansies

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (9)

(Video) Top 8 Hard to Kill Perennials That Will Bring Color Year After Year ๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒธ๐Ÿ‘

(Image credit: Alamy)

A pretty option for terracotta pots or as a window box idea, pansies are a hardy perennial plant that will tolerate fluctuating temperatures (perfect for this indecisive spring weather).

These hardy plants come in many different variations and can survive a light frost, so they're ideal to plant now if you're in northern hardiness zones that are still experiencing cold spells. 'They're perfect for adding color to borders, containers, or hanging baskets,' adds Diana. 'To plant them, buy them as nursery plants and choose a sunny spot in well-draining soil. Once planted, water regularly and deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flowers.'

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (10) (opens in new tab)

Editor's choice

Pansy plants, Walmart (opens in new tab)

This pack of three pansy plants from Walmart is the perfect addition to your garden this spring. These hardy flowers tolerate cooler weather while still producing pretty blooms in a host of colors and patterns. For healthy plants that will bloom all season, water until plants are established in the ground or in containers.

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6. Snapdragons

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (11)

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These playful plants adopt their name from the way that the flowers react to being squeezed near the stem, which causes their mouth to snap open like a dragon. The tubular flowers grow in clusters on tall steps helping to add height and depth to your modern garden border, and they're a hardy, low-maintenance flower despite their delicate appearance.

As Diana explains: 'These colorful flowers come in a variety of colors and heights and are perfect for adding height to borders or containers. To plant them by seed, choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and water regularly to help them establish their roots.'

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (12) (opens in new tab)

Editor's choice

(Video) Best Outdoor garden Plants for Lazy gardeners | Low maintenance hard to kill plants

Snapdragon seeds, Amazon (opens in new tab)

This full-color packet of snapdragon seeds produces a semi-dwarf variety for medium-height, large ruffled flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, yellow, and white. The flowers will bloom in fall and make a perfect cut flower for a vase in your kitchen or living room.

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7. Cosmos

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (13)

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These delicate annuals are a favorite in gardens for their pretty petals and tall height (they were even crowned the most popular flower of the year in 2021). 'They have delicate flowers ranging from white and pink to red and purple, and they're great for attracting butterflies and pollinators to the garden,' says Richa.

To plant them, sow the seeds directly in the garden over the next month or so, as long as the last frost is out of the way. Alternatively, you can start the seeds indoors around this time and plant them outside once the seedlings have grown. 'Water cosmos regularly, but don't overwater,' Richa warns. 'And remember to deadhead the flowers to encourage more blooms, too.'

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard (14) (opens in new tab)

Editor's choice

Cosmos seeds mix, Amazon (opens in new tab)

This large pack of mix cosmos seeds from Amazon contains over 5,000 seeds - enough to cover your whole garden! It contains seven different varieties of cosmos in 10 different colors to create a showstopping display of this delicate, classic flower.

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FAQs

What are the best flowers for beginner gardeners? 7 hard-to-kill blooms to plant now to bring color to your backyard? โ€บ

Some of the easiest flowers to grow are widely available. These include flowers like Zinnias, Portulacas, Impatiens, and Marigolds.

What are the easiest and cheapest flowers to grow? โ€บ

Some of the easiest flowers to grow are widely available. These include flowers like Zinnias, Portulacas, Impatiens, and Marigolds.

What is the fastest growing flower ever? โ€บ

Petunias, poppies and sunflowers have been recognised as some of the fastest growing flowers, taking only a fraction of the time to germinate and bloom compared to some of the more challenging plants.

What is the most successful flowering plant? โ€บ

Answer and Explanation: Among all the subgroups of kingdom Plantae, angiosperms are considered as most successful as it is known that all the flowering or flower-bearing plants are grouped into angiosperms. It is considered most successful due to its two main features, flower and seed formation.

What is an easy beginner plant? โ€บ

Monstera

This stylish plant has been touted as one of the easiest houseplants ever. You can find this plant in a range of shapes and sizes. Relatively slow growers, place monstera in medium or bright spots and water when the soil surface dries out.

What plants should a beginner grow? โ€บ

Luckily, there are many plants that fit these criteria.
  • Snap Peas. Snap peas are a quick-growing early crop. ...
  • Sunflowers. These sunny flowers are a must for a child's garden. ...
  • Radishes. Radishes are super fast growers. ...
  • Marigolds. ...
  • Cherry Tomatoes. ...
  • Pumpkins. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Potatoes.

What is a flower that never dies? โ€บ

Kalanchoe integra (Never die)

Which flower blooms rarely and smells like death? โ€บ

Once a plant blooms, it may bloom again in as little as two or three years. A 2010 scientific study found that the corpse flower smells like a combination of cheese, sweat, garlic, decomposing meat, feces and rotting fish.

What flower blooms and dies quickly? โ€บ

American agave plants are known for their fairly fatalistic life cycles: live, die, repeat. After blooming, the plants are expected to die shortly thereafter, usually leaving behind clones of themselves in the form of seeds.

What is the flower that grows the longest? โ€บ

Its name is Anthurium and is often called the world's longest blooming plant. Each heart-shaped flower spike can last up to eight weeks. The largest genus of the Arum family, Anthurium andraeanum is commonly known as Tail Flower (the Greek word for tail flower), Flamingo Flower, Painter's Palette or Laceleaf.

What flower blooms the least often? โ€บ

Corpse Flower (Titan Arum): The Flower With The Most Foul Smell. The Corpse Flower is known as one of the rarest flowers in the world because it blooms just once in a few decades.

What flowers don't come back every year? โ€บ

The short answer is that annuals don't come back. Plants that flower and die in one season are annualsโ€”although many will drop seeds that you can collect (or leave) to grow new plants in the spring. Annuals will also typically bloom all season until frost, so you get consistent color and showy blooms.

Is there a perennial that blooms all year? โ€บ

'Autumn Joy' Stonecrop. 'Autumn Joy' is a perennial flower that blooms all year and that can be grown in zones 3-9 across the variety of climates that can be found in these zones.

What is the easiest plant to take care of? โ€บ

I'm talking so low-maintenance that they'll laugh in the face of your neglect.
  • Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) ...
  • ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) ...
  • Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) ...
  • Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) ...
  • Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) ...
  • Succulents (multiple families) ...
  • Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Jun 24, 2020

What flower takes 100 years to bloom? โ€บ

In the Arid Greenhouse at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Agave ocahui is known as the century plant because people used to think it flowered only once every 100 years.

What plant takes 100 years to bloom? โ€บ

The agave americana plant is known as a century plant because it typically blooms once every 100 years at the end of its life cycle.

What flower blooms in 45 days? โ€บ

California Poppies

The California poppy only takes 45 days to bloom! That makes it one of the fastest growing flowers on our list.

Which is the No 1 flower in the world? โ€บ

1. Rose. The rose is considered the most beautiful flower in the world, which is why it's called the โ€œqueen of the garden.โ€ It's one of the most popular flowers worldwide, and it comes in different sizes and colors. Also, they're very common throughout the world.

What is the number one flowers in the world? โ€บ

1) Rose. We had to begin this list with the rose. No other flower is as famous or popular. The rose outshines everything else.

What is the simplest and easiest method of planting? โ€บ

The simplest method is planting seeds; division & stem cuttings are fast; and with layering, there are almost no failures.

What is the easiest thing to plant and grow? โ€บ

The following eight easy-to-grow edibles show just how simple growing and enjoying your own fruits and vegetables can be:
  1. Bell Peppers. ...
  2. Blackberries and Raspberries. ...
  3. Cabbage. ...
  4. Cucumbers. ...
  5. Garlic. ...
  6. Strawberries. ...
  7. Tomatoes. ...
  8. Zucchini and Squash.

How do I choose my first plant? โ€บ

Beginners Plant Buying Guide: 10 Tips for Buying Houseplants
  1. Plan Before You Buy. ...
  2. Avoid Impulse Plant Shopping. ...
  3. Read the Label. ...
  4. Learn the Signs of an Unhealthy Plant. ...
  5. Choose Buds Over Blooms. ...
  6. Don't Be Afraid of Small Houseplants. ...
  7. Buy Local Whenever Possible. ...
  8. Check for a Warranty.
Apr 27, 2021

What is the fastest growing plant to plant? โ€บ

7 of the Fastest-Growing Plants for Your Garden
  • Morning Glory (ipomoea)
  • Radishes (raphanus sativus)
  • Inchplant (tradescantia zebrina)
  • Hay-Scented Fern (dennstaedtia punctilobula)
  • Chives (allium schoenoprasum)
  • Schreber's Aster (eurybia schreberi)
  • Arugula (eruca sativa)
Feb 22, 2023

What is the fastest growing plant to grow? โ€บ

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth. Some species of bamboo can grow more than 1 meter per day, which is about 4 cm per hour. No other plant grows faster. Two examples of such fast growing bamboos are Madake (Phyllostachys reticulata) and Moso (Phyllostachys edulis).

What is the flower that stops your heart? โ€บ

The botanical name for foxglove is Digitalis purpurea. You might recognize "digitalis" as the name of a heart medicine. In fact, the medicine is derived from this plant, and that is why measuring digoxin (a form of digitalis) concentrations in the blood can help detect foxglove poisoning.

What plant dies when touched? โ€บ

The mimosa pudica โ€” also known as the sleepy plant or touch-me-not โ€” reacts dramatically when touched or shaken. When touched lightly, its leaves collapse, two by two, until the whole cluster closes up.

What flower lives forever? โ€บ

Hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum sp.) is also sometimes called a live forever plant. Both this plant and the fall flowering sedum are members of the Crassulaceae plant family, a group of plants well adapted to drought prone regions.

What is the most fragrant flower ever? โ€บ

Gardenia. Gardenia is one of the most fragrant flowers, producing one of the most beloved scents in the garden world.

What flower blooms every 100 years and stinks? โ€บ

The corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) also known as titan arum, reeks of rotting flesh and death when in bloom.

What is the biggest flower but smells bad? โ€บ

Indonesian officials may have found the largest flower ever, and it smells awful. The flower belongs to the Rafflesia genus, whose members are known as corpse lilies or corpse flowers due to their odour of decaying flesh. The stink attracts the insect pollinators these species use to reproduce.

What takes 20 years to grow? โ€บ

The seemingly simple act of a corpse flower blooming can take up to 20 years.

What flower blooms one day then dies? โ€บ

A MORNING Glory flower blooms only once, and dies the same day.

What flowers bloom in the toughest conditions? โ€บ

Each of these plants can tolerate challenging conditions such as drought, poor soil, and harsh winters, then come back with beautiful blooms every year.
  • 01 of 19. Daylily. ...
  • 02 of 19. Barrenwort. ...
  • 03 of 19. Tickseed. ...
  • 04 of 19. Russian Sage. ...
  • 05 of 19. Hellebore. ...
  • 06 of 19. Sedum. ...
  • 07 of 19. Baptisia. ...
  • 08 of 19. Coneflower.
Jan 30, 2023

What plant takes 50 years to bloom? โ€บ

Amorphophallus titanum, the titan arum, is a flowering plant in the family Araceae.
...
Amorphophallus titanum
Genus:Amorphophallus
Species:A. titanum
Binomial name
Amorphophallus titanum (Becc.) Becc. ex Arcang
13 more rows

Is there a plant that flowers all year round? โ€บ

Scientific Name: Saintpaulia streptocarpus. These are low-maintenance plants that can live for a very long time and are known to bloom year-round. They have fuzzy succulent-type leaves that help the plant absorb water.

What is the stinky flower that blooms once a year? โ€บ

The corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) is the largest unbranched inflorescence in the plant kingdom, boasts a powerful stink, and blooms for just 2-3 days once every year or two.

What is the least popular flower color? โ€บ

Did you know that blue is the rarest flower color? Brandon George, graduate student in Public Garden Leadership at Cornell University, takes an in-depth talk on the color blue, why it is so rare in the plant world, and some tips for displaying it in a garden.

What is the queen of flowers in the world? โ€บ

The rose is the most common flowering plant on stamps throughout the world. There are hundreds of species of roses, and they are often among the favorite flowers within a garden.

What is a very fragile flower? โ€บ

Tulips. Among the most delicate flowers on this list, tulips add a soft touch to any floral arrangement. And, their graceful stalks make a lovely addition to funerary flowers. Like mums, tulips come in a wide variety of colors ranging from vibrant and popping to understated pastels.

What is the most difficult plant to care for? โ€บ

1. Fiddle-leaf fig. While the fiddle-leaf fig may be trending on Instagram, it is also leads the list of the hardest houseplants to keep alive, with 61% of people failing to do so. This pretty plant hates an environment change, so doesn't respond well to moving around the house, or when moving homes.

What flower takes 10 years to bloom? โ€บ

The titan arum is a flowering plant, native to Indonesia's island of Sumatra. The plant's full bloom only once every seven to ten years. This rare event only lasts 24 to 36 hours.

What is the easiest plant for beginners? โ€บ

Maybe this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
  • Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) A pothos is a great houseplant for novices and experts alike. ...
  • Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) ...
  • ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) ...
  • Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) ...
  • Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata or Sansevieria trifasciata)
Oct 21, 2020

What flowers are easy to grow and sell? โ€บ

According to seasoned flower growing pros, the best flower choices to insure profits include:
  • Ageratum. Clusters of long-lasting flowers in red, white and blue add color to bouquets. ...
  • Scabiosa. ...
  • Larkspur. ...
  • Snapdragon. ...
  • Peony. ...
  • Zinnias. ...
  • Sunflowers. ...
  • Verbena bonariensis.
Dec 19, 2019

Why are Trader Joe's flowers so cheap? โ€บ

Trader Joe's flowers are inexpensive because they purchase their flowers in in bulk, direct from growers.

What plants sell for a lot of money? โ€บ

Most profitable plants to grow and sell
  • Snake Plant. What is this? ...
  • Different types of Bonsai trees. What is this? ...
  • Variegated Alocasia Dragon Scale. Alocasia Dragon Scale is one of the most beautiful plants that you can grow in your little indoor jungle. ...
  • Anthurium Clarinervium. ...
  • Herbs.

What day does Trader Joes restock flowers? โ€บ

If you're a fan of fresh flowers from Trader Joe's, you might be wondering when to go for the best selection. Well, good news โ€” they restock every day!

Are Trader Joe's plants worth it? โ€บ

If you're a seasoned plant owner, you really can't go wrong with almost anything the store carries. The plants that Trader Joe's offers are typically trendy and very affordable. Their stock varies by season, but you can pretty much always count on a healthy and pretty houseplant find at any location.

Where do Trader Joes flowers come from? โ€บ

Trader Joe's sources their flowers from floral wholesalers across the country, which involves an immense level of coordination and detail.

What are 3 ways to make a plant grow faster? โ€บ

So What Makes Plants Grow Faster & Bigger? Water, air, light, soil nutrients, and the correct temperature coupled with affection and care are the most basic factors to make a plant grow faster and bigger.

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