Here are 7 of the best annual flowers to grow in any zone, including my top favorites to plant in our garden every year! This guide will cover key growing tips, benefits, uses, and our go-to varieties of each one. Every flower on this list is low-maintenance, easy to grow from seed, and does well in containers. They all make excellent companion flowers in a vegetable garden – attracting pollinators, birds, and other beneficial insects. Plus, flowers bring a delightful pop of color, beauty, and whimsy to any garden space! If you don’t want to start from seed, you should be able to find most of these flowers at your local nursery in the spring too. This post was originally published in February 2020 but significantly updated since. Our old front yard garden, bursting with flowers in spring Disclosure: Homestead and Chill is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Looking for flower seeds? Don’t miss the Homestead and Chill Prized Pollinator Pack – our very own flower seed collection that we curated with High Mowing Organic Seeds! What Are Annual Flowers? Annual flowers complete their entire life cycle – from seed to flower and back to seed – in one growing season. The original plants won’t continue to grow or come back the following year, though some may self-seed to produce new plants (aka volunteers). Therefore, annual flowers must be replanted each spring in most climates.  All the flowers on this list are most commonly grown as annuals, though a few can persist as short-lived perennials in warmer, frost-free zones (9-11) including nasturtiums and calendula. Starting Annual Flowers from Seed Each flower on this list can either be started from seed indoors, or directly sown outside in spring once the risk of frost has passed. We start most of our annual flowers indoors to get a jump start on the growing season, which means more blooms and color in the garden sooner! To start indoors, sow flower seeds in containers of fluffy seed-starting mix about 5 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost date in your zone. Use a seedling heat mat to help encourage quick germination, keep the soil evenly damp but not soggy, and provide ample bright light (e.g. a grow light) to prevent them from getting leggy. See our complete guide on starting seeds indoors for more detailed tips. You can transplant seedlings outside once the risk of frost has passed, but be sure to harden off indoor seedlings first to prevent transplant shock! I like to tuck annual flowers into almost every corner of our DIY raised garden beds, and between vegetable plants where there is space. Our current garden. As you can see, I tuck flowers amongst the veggies in every nook and cranny possible! (While trying to maintain decent spacing to prevent too much competition) 1) Calendula ~ Calendula officinalis Cheerful and daisy-like, calendula is one of the best all-around annual flowers to grow. It’s beautiful, boasts a long blooming season, and has SO many wonderful uses. Calendula is especially renown for its ability to soothe skin issues. Calendula is sometimes referred to as “pot marigold” but don’t accidentally confuse it with true marigolds, such as french marigolds. Marigolds are on this list too, but are distinctly different and not nearly as medicinal in nature. Some of our favorite calendula varieties include: Resina, Pacific Beauty, Strawberry Blonde, Pink Surprise, Oopsy Daisy and Zeolights. Benefits of Calendula Calendula flowers attract bees and butterflies while repelling pest insects. Calendula is a highly medicinal and edible herb with many wonderful uses beyond the garden – including in the kitchen, natural medicine, and skin care products. We make homemade calendula oil and calendula salve that can help heal rashes, burns, psoriasis, eczema and more. It’s a star ingredient in our organic skincare line for a reason! According to the Chestnut School of Herbs, calendula tea can ease reflux, sore throats, heartburn, and IBS. I also like to use calendula petals as a garnish to add a beautiful pop of color to a variety of dishes such as salads, beverages, spring rolls, or flower-infused ice cubes. Volunteer calendula happily growing in the gravel in our old backyard garden Tips on Growing Calendula Direct sow calendula seeds outdoors in spring after the last frost, or start seeds indoors up to 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. (We start our calendula indoors.) In places with mild winters, calendula can be grown year-round! Once planted outside, calendula are fast-growing and will often self-seed (especially if you don’t harvest the flowers). That means they’ll come back as volunteers year after year. Calendula is not picky about soil type, and actually thrives in poor or sandy soil. Some of our volunteer calendula plants grow happily in gravel! Calendula is drought-tolerant and grows best in full sun, though partial shade can be beneficial in places with exceptionally hot summer weather. Expect prolific blooms from calendula in spring through fall. Pro Tip: Don’t be shy about harvesting the flowers. The more you pick, the more they’ll bloom! RELATED: Learn even more about how to grow and use calendula here, including tips on how to harvest, dry, and use the flowers for natural skincare and more. The “calendula farm” at our new homestead, where we grow all the calendula and chamomile for our shop products. 2) Sunflowers ~ Helianthus Who doesn’t love sunflowers? Birds, bees… I know I do! These big cheery flowers always bring a smile to my face. Sunflowers come in a wide array of sizes, shapes, and colors. Personally, I’m a sucker for multi-headed or branching sunflower varieties, which offer an extended season of beautiful blooms and even more seeds per plant. We love these sunflower varieties: Goldy Double, Autumn Beauty, Evening Colors, Rouge Royal, Lemon Queen, Mammoth, Snack Seed and Velvet Queen. Or, check out this awesome variety pack of over 15 different sunflower types. Benefits of Sunflowers With their wide open flower structure, sunflowers provide ample easily-accessible pollen that bees go bananas for. Pro Tip: avoid pollen-less sunflower varieties if you want to feed the bees! Sunflower seeds are great source of food and nourishment for wild birds. Our chickens also love pecking at spent sunflower heads near the end of summer.  Wildlife aside, certain sunflower varieties produce big meaty seeds that are ideal for human consumption too, like these “Snack Seed” or Mammoth varieties. You can also grill and eat whole sunflowers heads! Tips on Growing Sunflowers True to their name, sunflowers prefer to be planted in full sun. Fun Fact: did you know the face of a sunflower moves throughout the day to follow the path of the sun? It is called heliotropism. So keep that in mind when you choose your planting location – they may turn their backs on you!  Sunflowers often grow best when directly sowed outside, though you can start seeds indoors too. To avoid getting too large or root-bound (which can stunt them), I like to start my sunflowers indoors only 3 to 4 weeks before transplanting. Sunflowers vigorous roots may stunt the growth of nearby plants including beans, potatoes, rhubarb and onions. However, we always plant sunflowers in our raised garden beds amongst our veggies and haven’t had issues – minus them casting some unwanted shade at times. Some sunflowers may require staking for support, especially in windy conditions or before they’re well-established. Most sunflower varieties are drought tolerant, so don’t overdo the water! Sunflower seeds are ready for harvest when the plant foliage dies back, flower petals fade away, and the seeds look plump. Seed-save from spent dry flowers at the end of the season.  This impressive branching sunflower showed as a volunteer! RELATED: All the flowers on this list are also easy to save seed from, making them both affordable and sustainable! Learn how to save annual flower seeds here. 3) Zinnia Zinnia flowers are gorgeous pouf balls of vibrant color. They’re another all-around favorite in our garden! Some zinnias grow on smaller, compact plants while others can reach several feet in height. They come in various shades of pink, red, purple, yellow, and even lime green.  My favorite zinnia varieties include Giant Coral, Giant Yellow, Benary’s Giant (various colors), Aurora, Queen Lime, Giant Purple and Ballerina. For smaller spaces, try these adorable dwarf Thumbolina or Zinderella zinnia (shown in the feature photo at the top of this article!) Giant Yellow zinnia in our old front yard garden Benefits of Zinnia in the Garden Zinnia are an absolute favorite source of nectar for monarch butterflies. Bees, bumblebees, and hummingbirds enjoy their nectar and pollen too. Zinnia’s tall erect stems make them excellent cut flowers. We usually have several vases full of zinnias throughout our house in summer! PRO TIP: For long-lasting cut flowers, wait to cut zinnias until the flowers are fully open and the stems are firm (they shouldn’t easily wiggle on top when you jiggle them from below). If cut too young, zinnias will quickly wilt in a bouquet or vase. You’re coming inside with me, my pretties Grew a whole bed of zinnia’s for the first time… zero regrets. Tips on Growing Zinnia Some resources suggest only direct-sowing zinnia seeds outside, saying that they don’t tolerate transplanting well. However, we always start our zinnias from seed indoors without issue! Just be sure to transplant them out when they’re still fairly small (after being properly hardened off) so they don’t become root bound or stunted. Zinnias like full sun but will tolerate a little shade (though they may bloom less). Plant zinnias in well-draining soil that is rich with compost or other organic matter. One bummer about growing zinnias is their susceptibility to powdery mildew, which is rampant here. Thankfully, some varieties are naturally resistant so we try to plant those. See our top tips on managing powdery mildew here. 4) Cosmos I’ve become slightly obsessed with cosmos lately, planting more and more each season. These dainty daisy-like flowers sit atop long slender stems. They look so whimsical (especially blowing in the wind) and give off a classic cottage garden vibe. While the most common cosmos varieties come in hues of pink and purple, they can be found in shades of yellow, orange, red, and even chocolate too! We love Blush Cupcake cosmos, Sensation Blend, Candy Stripe, Double Click Rose, and the stunning Seashell varieties. Cupcake cosmos Benefits of Cosmos Cosmos attract a wide variety of pollinators including birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. I always see native bees, bumblebees, and birds enjoying ours! On the other hand, cosmos seem to have little-to-no pest issues. Definitely a bonus. The flower petals are edible and can be used as a playful garnish in drinks, salads, and more. Cosmos boast a long blooming season and can be used as cut flowers.  PRO TIP: Their thin flat petals make cosmos my favorite flowers to dry for pressed flower crafts! I pick and press them all summer to save for fall and winter crafts. Don’t miss our beginner’s guide on how to press flowers. Tips on Growing Cosmos Cosmos sprout readily and are easy to direct-sow outdoors. (That means they also re-seed as volunteers easily!) Simply scatter seeds on bare soil in springtime after the danger of frost has passed. We usually start our cosmos indoors to get a jump start on the spring season. Cosmos are known to survive in even the poorest soil conditions, as long as it has good drainage. This makes them a perfect “filler” in any oddball place, with little-to-no effort required! They also grow easily in containers. Cosmos are drought-tolerant and prefer warm, dry weather and plenty of sunshine. In extremely hot climates, choose a location with partial shade. Depending on the variety and height, cosmos plants may need staking or other support to prevent the plants from flopping over. PRO TIP: Deadhead cosmos regularly to promote even more new blooms! Learn exactly when and how to deadhead flowers here, including example photos for cosmos. Regularly removing fading flower heads also reduces seed spread, if that’s a concern. 5) Bachelor Buttons Also known as cornflower, stunning blue Bachelor Buttons have become one of my favorite annual flowers over the last few years. Classic Bachelor Buttons are bright blue (a magnificent and unique addition to the garden color palette) though they also come in lavender, light pink, and other shades of purple-blue. A few of our favorite varieties include Blue Boy, Polka dot mix (blue, pink, white and lavender), and dark purple Black Magic Benefits of Bachelor Buttons Birds and bees absolutely love cornflower. Our native Lesser goldfinches simply can’t stay off of them – and we’re happy to share! The tall erect stems make beautiful cut flowers, and also retain their gorgeous color when dried. I love to press them too! Bachelor button flowers are edible and make an absolutely beautiful garnish. I like to pluck the petals off to add flecks of blue to mocktails, salads, and spring rolls. They readily re-seed, so that means you’ll have free plants for years to come! I simply remove the ones I don’t want, but often leave many to grow – and the volunteer bachelor buttons are usually the first to flower in our garden in spring! A female Lesser Goldfinch enjoying a snack of Bachelor Buttons seeds. Tips on Growing Bachelor Buttons Bachelors buttons (cornflowers) are easy to start from seed – either indoors about a month before your last spring frost, or directly outside after. They aren’t picky about soil conditions as long as it’s well-draining. Cornflowers are drought-tolerant so they will not thrive in swampy, soggy conditions. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering. Plant bachelors buttons in a location that receives full sun, though they’ll tolerate partial shade. Many Bachelor Buttons varieties grow quite tall. In my experience, I usually need a stake, small cage, or other support to prevent the plants from toppling or breaking by mid-summer. 6) Marigolds ~ Tagetes Marigolds are probably one of the easiest annual flowers to grow. And while they may not be total show-stoppers like some sunflowers or zinnia, what they lack in beauty they more than make up for in utility. Don’t get me wrong! I think marigolds are very pretty, and definitely enjoy the bright pops of orange and red blooms sprinkled throughout our garden.  My all-time favorite marigold variety is Tangerine Gem followed by French Blend, Naughty Marietta French, Red French, Crackerjack & Red Gem Benefits of Marigolds Marigolds are popular companion flowers, often planted among vegetables in garden beds or close nearby. They attract beneficial insects like butterflies, ladybugs, hover flies and parasitic wasps. Furthermore, their pungent aroma can deter pest insects such as aphids, mosquitoes, and Mexican bean beetles. Classic French marigolds in particular are known to repel root knot nematodes, a soil-dwelling parasite that feeds on the healthy root system of plants. To take advantage of that benefit, be sure to leave the marigold roots to decompose in the soil – using a “no till” method to cut the plant out (rather than yanking it out) at the end of the season.   Chickens love to eat marigolds. Our girls love the greens, and often help us “prune” unruly marigold plants that hang over the side of the garden bed. When chickens are fed bright orange marigold flowers, it can naturally dye their egg yolks a deeper orange color! Rich in antioxidants, marigold flowers are also edible for humans – bringing a beautiful pop of color to salads, teas, desserts and more.  Companion planting French marigolds, tomatoes, basil, and eggplant Tips on Growing Marigolds Like the other easy annual flowers on this list, you can either sow marigold seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost, or directly outside thereafter. Marigolds prefer full sun and warm temperatures to bloom most prolifically.  However, we have grown them in partial-shade – no problem! Deadheading spent blooms will also encourage more. They’re not picky about their soil type, and are suitable for containers. Maintain the soil evenly damp but not soggy. If bushy marigold plants start to crowd their neighbors, don’t be afraid give them a good pruning! They don’t mind, and the greens are a great addition to compost. Once they’re established in your garden, marigolds will likely self-seed and return as volunteers. RELATED: Come learn even more about companion planting – including what veggies and flowers grow best together, and a printable companion planting chart! More poufy marigolds tucked below our tomato plants – the perfect companion plants. 7) Nasturtium ~ Tropaeolum Last but not least, nasturtiums are another annual companion flower that I can’t imagine our garden without. They’re edible, attract pollinators, and oh-so-pretty! Their lush cascading greenery dotted with colorful flowers creates an incredibly beautiful and dramatic effect.  Hummingbird Aloha Mix, Tall Trailing Mix, Peach Melba, Alaska Mix, and Dwarf Jewel are a handful of our go-to nasturtium varieties. Benefits of Nasturtiums Bees and hummingbirds enjoy nasturtium flowers immensely. Nasturtiums double as a “trap crop”, attracting pest insects including aphids and cabbage worms to their foliage rather than your veggies. Ours usually look great despite the pest pressure – but if your plants become heavily infested, I suggest removing leaves or sections of the plant to prevent pest colonization in your garden.  Nasturtiums are edible. Both the flowers and tender leaves have a peppery, zesty flavor – reminiscent of arugula. Try adding both to salads! Our chickens absolutely love eating nasturtium greens too. Nasturtiums started growing under our artichoke plants and took over once the artichokes died back for the season… but I didn’t mind! Tips on Growing Nasturtiums Nasturtium generally prefers to be directly-sown, though starting indoors is possible too. Plant once, and they’ll be back! Nasturtiums are another notorious self-seeding volunteer, but one we welcome with open arms.  Nasturtiums are the most shade-tolerant annual flower on this list. They will grow just about anywhere, but flower the most when they receive at least 6 hours of sun. On the other hand, they may look a bit haggard in full sun with extreme heat, so opt for a location with afternoon shade in the hottest climates. Some nasturtium varieties grow into compact bushes, while others sprawl a bit more. Vining nasturtiums can be trained up arches and trellises, or allowed to spill over the side of a raised bed for a beautiful cascade effect. We grow a little of each! Plant in well-draining soil and provide low to moderate water.   Nasturtiums growing as ground cover in a shady corner of our old yard Other Pollinator Flowers Now of course, there is a whole plethora of other amazing flowers you could grow too! Some of our favorites include lavender, echinacea, salvia, yarrow, scabiosa, flowering herbs like oregano, bee balm, sage, anise hyssop and more!   I love all of them just as much as the easy annual flowers included on this list. However, they may not be quite as quick and simple to start from seed, may be more particular about climate and care, or are commonly grown as perennials. To see a full list of our favorite flowers, check out: The Top 23 Plants for Pollinators: Attract Bees, Butterflies & Hummingbirds. Bachelor buttons on the left, zinnia on the right, sunnies and marigolds in the distance. I hope you thoroughly enjoyed learning about what we consider the best easy annual flowers to grow, and found some new varieties to try yourself! Did I miss any of your favorite annual flowers? Let me know in the comments below! Did you enjoy this article? Want to hear more? Stay in touch! Sign up below to receive weekly updates on new posts from Homestead and Chill. The post 7 Best Easy Annual Flowers to Grow In Any Zone (With Photos) appeared first on Homestead and Chill.