Easy-to-Grow Flowers: 28 Best Picks for New Gardeners

Garden Flowers
By Aria Moore

If you’re new to gardening, choosing the right flowers can make all the difference. Not only do they brighten up your space, but they’re also forgiving for beginners.

Here are 28 easy flowers that are perfect for those just starting out.

Dive into the colorful world of gardening with these beginner-friendly blooms!

1. Sunflowers

© Gardener’s Path

Sunflowers are not only stunning but also super easy to grow. Plant them in well-drained soil and watch them reach for the sun! These flowers are perfect for adding height and a splash of sunshine to your garden. Plus, they attract pollinators like bees, making them beneficial for the ecosystem.

2. Marigolds

© Gardenary

Marigolds are hardy and can thrive in various conditions. They are excellent for deterring pests and add a pop of color to any garden. Simply plant them in a sunny spot, and water them regularly. Their vibrant hues make them a popular choice for borders and containers.

3. Zinnias

© Martha Stewart

Zinnias are known for their dazzling colors and are incredibly low-maintenance. These annuals only require regular watering and deadheading to continue blooming. Perfect for cutting gardens, zinnias can brighten up any bouquet with their vivid colors.

4. Pansies

© Stacy Ling

Pansies are available in a rainbow of colors and can tolerate cooler temperatures. They’re ideal for planting in early spring or fall. With minimal care, pansies will provide cheerful blooms that last for months. Perfect for container gardens or window boxes.

5. Cosmos

© Gardener’s Path

Cosmos are easy to grow from seeds and are known for their airy, daisy-like flowers. They thrive in poor soil and only require occasional watering. These flowers are perfect for attracting butterflies and adding a whimsical touch to your garden.

6. Nasturtiums

© Growing Spaces

Nasturtiums are both beautiful and edible. Their peppery leaves and flowers can be added to salads. These plants are excellent for hanging baskets or as ground cover. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and require minimal care.

7. Lavender

© HGTV

Lavender is loved for its soothing scent and beautiful purple blooms. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil. This perennial is perfect for borders, herb gardens, or as a fragrant addition to your garden.

8. Petunias

© Bob’s Market and Greenhouses

Petunias are versatile and come in many colors and patterns. They are great for flower beds, borders, or containers. With regular watering and deadheading, they will bloom continuously throughout the season. Petunias are perfect for adding a splash of color to any garden.

9. Snapdragons

© Stacy Ling

Snapdragons are a favorite for their unique flowers and wide range of colors. They prefer cooler temperatures and can be grown from seeds or transplants. These flowers add height and texture to flower beds and are great for cutting.

10. Impatiens

© Gardener’s Path

Impatiens are perfect for shady spots and come in a variety of colors. They are easy to care for, needing only regular watering to thrive. These flowers are great for adding color to areas where other flowers might not grow as well.

11. Geraniums

© bricksnblooms

Geraniums are classic flowers that are easy to grow and maintain. They do well in containers and flower beds, needing only full sun and regular watering. These flowers are perfect for adding a touch of tradition to your garden.

12. Daisies

© Martha Stewart

Daisies are simple yet charming flowers that are incredibly easy to grow. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Perfect for wildflower gardens or as a cheerful addition to any garden space, daisies symbolize purity and innocence.

13. Begonias

© Bulb Blog

Begonias are versatile and thrive in both sun and shade. They’re perfect for hanging baskets, containers, and flower beds. These flowers require regular watering and are known for their continuous blooms throughout the growing season.

14. Daylilies

© Gardeners’ World

Daylilies are hardy perennials that require minimal care once established. They thrive in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. These flowers are perfect for adding vibrant color to your garden with their large, trumpet-shaped blooms.

15. Coneflowers

© Gardener’s Path

Coneflowers, or Echinacea, are known for their daisy-like appearance and hardiness. They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies and thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Perfect for wildflower gardens, they add color and support local wildlife.

16. Black-eyed Susans

© Stacy Ling

Black-eyed Susans are easy to grow and add a bright splash of color to any garden. They thrive in full sun and are drought-tolerant once established. These flowers are perfect for naturalizing in wildflower meadows or along borders.

17. Phlox

© Wellfield Botanic Gardens

Phlox are known for their clusters of colorful blooms and sweet fragrance. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them perfect for borders, rock gardens, or as ground cover. Phlox attract butterflies and add a cottage-garden feel.

18. Alyssum

© Gardeners’ World

Alyssum is a low-growing plant known for its sweet fragrance and delicate white or purple blooms. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Perfect for edging paths or filling in between other plants, alyssum adds a soft touch to gardens.

19. Sweet Peas

© Bootstrap Farmer

Sweet peas are fragrant climbers that are easy to grow from seeds. They thrive in cooler climates and prefer full sun with well-drained soil. Perfect for trellises or arbors, sweet peas add vertical interest and a delightful scent to gardens.

20. Lobelias

© Bengert Greenhouses

Lobelias are compact plants with vibrant blue, purple, or white flowers. They thrive in cool weather and prefer partial shade, making them perfect for hanging baskets or window boxes. Lobelias add a splash of color and are easy to care for.

21. Calendulas

© Epic Gardening

Calendulas are cheerful flowers that are easy to grow in sunny spots. They thrive in well-drained soil and require minimal care. These flowers are perfect for adding a splash of color to flower beds or containers and have edible petals.

22. California Poppies

© The Spruce

California poppies are vibrant and drought-tolerant flowers that thrive in full sun. They’re easy to grow from seeds and require minimal care once established. Perfect for wildflower gardens or as a bright addition to any landscape.

23. Morning Glories

© Burpee Seeds

Morning glories are fast-growing vines that bloom in the morning. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. These flowers are perfect for fences, trellises, or arbors, adding vertical interest and a splash of color to your garden.

24. Coreopsis

© Stacy Ling

Coreopsis are cheerful, sun-loving flowers that are easy to grow and maintain. They thrive in well-drained soil and are drought-tolerant once established. Perfect for adding a burst of yellow to borders or wildflower gardens.

25. Violas

© Mississippi State University Extension Service |

Violas are small, charming flowers that thrive in cool weather. They are easy to grow and perfect for edging paths, containers, or flower beds. Violas add a dash of color and are known for their delicate beauty and sweet fragrance.

26. Borage

© Gardener’s Path

Borage is an herb with edible flowers and leaves. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Perfect for herb gardens, borage attracts pollinators and adds a touch of blue to your garden. Both leaves and flowers are edible, with a cucumber-like taste.

27. Foxgloves

© Stacy Ling

Foxgloves are striking with their tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers. They thrive in partial shade and are perfect for adding height and drama to your garden. These biennials are easy to grow and attract pollinators like bees.

28. Hollyhocks

© Little Yellow Wheelbarrow

Hollyhocks are tall, stately flowers that add a classic touch to any garden. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Perfect for cottage gardens or as a backdrop in flower beds, hollyhocks attract butterflies and hummingbirds.