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Growing plants from seeds is a fulfilling and cost-effective way to expand your garden, but it can be discouraging when seeds don’t sprout.
Successful germination depends on providing the right conditions, including proper temperature, moisture, soil type, and light. If these factors aren’t met, the seeds may fail to grow or even rot in the soil.
Luckily, some plants are far less fussy than others, making them super simple to start from seed. Let’s take a look at the 20 easiest plants to grow from seeds, each with simple instructions to ensure success.
1. Green Beans
Green beans are incredibly simple to start from seed – these hardy little seed pods burst into life with very little encouragement needed! Both bush beans and pole beans can be sown directly outdoors after the last frost or started a few weeks earlier indoors in pots or modules. Sow bean seeds in good-quality organic compost and water lightly every few days to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
2. Sunflowers
Sunflowers hate to have their roots disturbed so should be sown directly in their intended location or in large pots. Warm soil is essential, so sow seeds in a sunny spot after the last frost. All you need to do then is water consistently but lightly and you’ll be rewarded with a glorious display of towering sunflowers!
3. Radishes
Radishes always amaze me with the rate at which they germinate – sow them in early spring or late summer and you’ll see leaves emerging from the soil within just a few days. Make sure to thin out seedlings to around one inch apart to ensure proper root development.
4. Zinnias
If you want a showy display of glorious blooms all summer long, sow zinnia seeds directly in the garden after the last frost. Covering the soil with black plastic or mulch in the spring can help warm soil temperatures and speed up germination.
5. Lettuce
Lettuce grows best in spring and fall, when temperatures are warm but not too hot. Lettuce seeds are very small and difficult to sow accurately, so most gardeners find it easier to thin them out to 6-12” apart after germination.
6. Spinach
Like most leafy green vegetable crops, spinach is very easy to grow from seed. For the best chance of success sow spinach seeds directly in the ground in early spring or late summer. Harvest small plants as baby greens, leaving a few behind to produce mature leaves.
7. Marigolds
In the right climate, you’ll only need to sow marigolds once – leave the flowers to go to seed and they’ll spring up everywhere the next season! Start marigolds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost and plant out once the soil has warmed up.
8. Carrots
Carrots are easy to grow from seed but getting the timing right is essential. These tiny seeds like consistent warmth and moisture, so wait until mid to late spring when soil temperatures are above 50F. Sow carrots directly in loose, well-drained soil and thin seedlings to allow proper root growth.
7. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are incredibly easy to grow from seed – simply sow directly in the ground after the last frost and you’ll be rewarded with glorious blooms all summer long. This low-maintenance plant is perfect for attracting beneficial insects and can be grown as a trap crop for aphids.
10. Beets
Beets can be sown directly in rows in early spring or late summer. Make sure to keep the soil consistently moist and thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart for larger roots.
Related: How to Make Pickled Beets
11. Snapdragons
To get a head start with snapdragons, start the seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost and transplant seedlings outdoors in full sun or partial shade in late spring or early summer.
12. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a warm-season crop, so heat is the key to successful germination. In warm climates, cucumber seeds can be sown directly outdoors after the last frost. In cooler climates with a shorter growing season, start seeds indoors on a sunny windowsill.
13. Cosmos
These drought-tolerant flowers thrive in poor soil and full sun. Sow directly after the last frost and pinch the growing tips out on young plants for bushier growth and prolonged blooming.
14. Peas
Peas are incredibly easy to start from seed in early spring or fall. Sow pea seeds in groups of two or three in pots or directly in the ground, making sure the fast-growing seedlings have a trellis for support.
15. Black-eyed Susans
These hardy flowers thrive in full sun and tolerate pretty much any type of soil. Sow seeds in early spring or late summer in pots or directly in the ground, thinning seedlings to allow good air circulation.
16. Zucchini
Zucchini, along with summer squash, are warm-season crops that grow vigorously from seed. Start the seeds in pots on a sunny windowsill and transplant them outside once all risk of frost has passed.
17. Poppies
Poppies need light to germinate, which is why they often appear on recently disturbed ground such as building sites. Scatter poppy seeds on the soil surface in cool weather, watering regularly if rainfall is scarce.
18. Basil
Basil seeds germinate easily but can be slow to reach maturity – the best method is to start seeds indoors in mid-spring, giving them time to grow into healthy plants that are ready to go outside once all risk of frost has passed.
19. Swiss Chard
Did you know that Swiss chard is a member of the beet family? These seeds germinate very quickly and, once established, can tolerate cold temperatures. I like to sow a few rows in the fall to give a steady supply of nutritious greens throughout the winter months.
20. Tomatoes
Tomatoes like plenty of warmth, so sow your favorite varieties in module trays on a sunny windowsill in early spring. A good trick is to make a mini-propagator by putting the seed trays inside a plastic bag or container until the seeds germinate.
How to Start Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is a fun way to expand your vegetable garden projects. With a little care and attention you can grow successful seedlings that will transfer into your garden and thrive. Here we share the process and the strategies that work best for us for indoor seed starting.
How to Start a Herb Garden from Scratch
Growing something as simple as our own herbs is a huge step towards sustainability. You can begin the process in a small space in the kitchen or backyard with some of your favorite herbs. Here are some simple but practical steps to get you started on your own herb garden.
How to Start a Herb Garden from Scratch
Kate Chalmers
Kate is a passionate gardener who has a keen interest in all things related to homesteading and sustainability. She resides in Portugal with her husband and menagerie of animals and has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry. In 2020, Kate and her husband took on a dilapidated Portuguese house and abandoned olive grove, turning it into an abundant food forest and home for nature.
Life on the homestead is never the same from one day to the next, and Kate has mastered many skills that she is keen to pass on to anyone with an interest in becoming more self-sufficient. Kate believes that living a sustainable lifestyle is the key to happiness and fulfillment and that everyone can make simple changes that connect us back to nature and reduce our impact on the planet.
