Starting a cut flower garden can feel like an overwhelming process, and although growing annual flowers from seed can feel extra intimidating at first, it’s actually quite simple once you get the hang of it! (Plus, it is a truly fun and rewarding experience in the long run!)
While many perennial flowers make great cut flowers, annual flowers are the true stars of a cutting garden. Whether you’re creating a backyard flower garden or a larger-scale flower farm for profit, annual flowers started from seed are ideal. And, thankfully, there are plenty of easy-to-grow cut flowers to choose from! To help start you on your journey, I’ve compiled a list of my favourite cut flowers to start from seed.
I hope this list inspires you and gets you one step closer to the cut flower garden of your dreams!
Where to start with seed starting
If you’re new to seed starting, here’s what you need to get started…
Equipment/Tools
- Complete Seed Starting Setup for Successful Seedlings
- From Seed Hoarder to Organized Bliss: The Easiest Way to Organize Your Seed Stash
- DIY Seed Starting Rack for Small Space Gardening
- Compostable Newsprint Seed Starting Pots
- The Soil Block Recipe That Actually Holds Together
- The Best Grow Lights for Seedlings (From Budget to Bougie)
Best Seed Companies
- The Best Companies to Purchase Cut Flower Seeds for Your Backyard Flower Farm
How-to
- How to Start Seeds When Your Home Has No Light or Space
- DIY Seed Starting From Your Window
- How to Fertilize Your Seedlings for Healthier Plants
Need a bit more help? Check out Seed Starting Success–perfect for beginners who are looking for step-by-step guidance!
easiest cut flowers to grow from seed
1. Calendula
Calendula are easy-to-grow, easy-to-seed-start, and will self-seed! They’re a medicinal flower great for making soaps and tinctures!
2. Cosmos
I like to use cosmos both for their greenery and for their flowers! The Double Click series is my favourite, but I am excited to try Apricotta this year!
3. Dahlias
Dahlias can be hard to grow, but they are so easy to take cuttings from. While there are several ways to grow dahlias, taking cuttings is a very easy process! You can also grow them from seed, but I personally haven’t done it.
Related: How to Grow Dahlias in a Short Growing Season and Cold Climate, How to Overwinter Dahlias in Cold Climates, Swoon-Worthy Dahlia Varieties for your Cut Flower Garden, How to Get More Dahlias for Free with Cuttings, Why Are My Dahlias Not Blooming?!
4. Feverfew
I always plant at least three different varieties of feverfew for a diverse garden–I recommend Magic Singles, Tetra White, and Magic Lime from my own cutting garden. Around 50% of the plants will return the following year if left in the ground!
5. Glads
These might be considered a bit of a cheat on this list, but the fact that you can just put them in water and you don’t even need soil to get them going is very exciting to me! You can also just put the bulbs in the ground, but I really recommend pre-sprouting in a short growing season.
Related: How to Grow Glads in a Short Growing Season, How to Overwinter Glads in a Cold Climate, How to Start Gladiolus Bulbs Indoors
6. Marigolds
I always grow the really tall varieties of marigolds and like to use them for flowers and greenery. They are easy to save seeds from, as well!
7. Snapdragons
Snapdragons are hardy plants that can survive the first frost. Varieties like Madame Butterfly and Rocket are best for taller stems and are ideal for cutting.
8. Statice
Statice is great for drying, and I love all the colours you can grow! They’re cut-and-come-again, you always get tons of stems from them, and they are cold-tolerant!
Related: 15 Best Cut Flowers to Start in Winter
9. Stock
Stock is easy to start from seed and is a beautiful addition to any cut flower garden. Even though it’s aone-and-done flower, its gorgeous fragrance and perfect blooms land it a permanent home on my flower farm!
10. Zinnias
My love affair with these beautiful flowers began in 2006 when my mom and dad grew zinnias for my wedding. They’re one of the easiest possible flowers to start, and they come in so many gorgeous colours and textures!
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