26 Easy Annual Flowers to Grow in Your Garden

In this guide, explore 26 of the easiest annual flowers to grow in your garden at home. These beauties are tough, low-maintenance, and guaranteed to brighten up your garden, patio, or balcony. So grab your gardening gloves, pick out your favorite flowers, and get ready to create a blooming masterpiece with minimal effort and maximum wow factor!

1. Marigold (Tagetes)

Marigolds are resilient and drought-tolerant annuals, making them perfect for beginners. They thrive in almost any soil and deter pests like nematodes, making them a beneficial addition to vegetable gardens.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Frost	Full Sun	Yellow, Orange, Red	6-36 inches tall, 6-18 inches spread

2. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Zinnias are fast-growing, heat-tolerant types of annual plants that produce vibrant, long-lasting flowers. They’re great for cutting and attracting pollinators like butterflies.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Frost	Full Sun	White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink, Purple	10-36 inches tall, 6-18 inches spread

3. Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)

Petunias are highly adaptable and offer a wide range of colors and patterns. They bloom prolifically, and with minimal care, they can brighten up garden beds and containers.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Frost	Full Sun to Part Shade	White, Pink, Red, Purple, Blue, Yellow	6-18 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread

4. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)

Impatiens are shade-loving plants that are perfect for areas with less sunlight. They are easy to grow, producing masses of flowers in a variety of colors all season long.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Frost	Part Shade to Full Shade	Pink, Red, Orange, White, Violet	6-24 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread

5. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflowers are famous for their large, cheerful blooms and are incredibly easy to grow from seed. They are fast growers and add height and drama to any garden.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Fall	Full Sun	Yellow, Orange, Red, Bicolor	24-144 inches tall, 12-36 inches spread

6. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtiums are easy to grow in poor soils, requiring little to no fertilization. They offer the added benefit of being edible, with both flowers and leaves adding peppery flavor to dishes.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Frost	Full Sun to Part Shade	Yellow, Orange, Red	6-12 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread

7. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

Cosmos are low-maintenance plants that bloom abundantly and attract butterflies and bees. They are drought-tolerant and thrive in poor soils.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Fall	Full Sun	Pink, White, Red, Orange, Yellow	12-60 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread

8. Alyssum (Lobularia maritime)

Alyssum is known for its sweet fragrance and tiny, delicate flowers that attract pollinators. It’s easy to grow, and it quickly spreads to form a carpet of color.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Fall	Full Sun to Part Shade	White, Pink, Purple	4-8 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread

9. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Calendula is a hardy annual that is often grown as a companion plant due to its ability to repel pests. The flowers are also edible and can be used in salads and teas.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Fall	Full Sun to Part Shade	Yellow, Orange	12-24 inches tall, 12-18 inches spread

10. Begonia (Begonia semperflorens)

Begonias are versatile plants that do well in both sun and shade, producing flowers throughout the growing season. They are drought-tolerant and easy to care for.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Frost	Full Sun to Part Shade	Pink, Red, White, Orange	6-18 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread

11. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

Snapdragons are cool-season annuals that are easy to grow and come in a variety of colors. They are great for adding vertical interest to garden beds.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Frost	Full Sun to Part Shade	Yellow, Pink, Red, White, Orange, Purple	6-48 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread

12. Salvia (Salvia splendens)

Salvia is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that produces spikes of brightly colored flowers. It’s easy to grow and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Fall	Full Sun	Red, Purple, Blue, Pink, White	8-36 inches tall, 12-18 inches spread

13. Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

Morning glories are vigorous vines that quickly cover trellises or fences with their colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers. They are easy to grow from seed and self-sow readily.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Fall	Full Sun	Blue, Purple, Pink, White	6-10 feet tall, 1-3 feet spread

14. Verbena (Verbena x hybrida)

Verbena is a low-growing plant that blooms profusely, making it perfect for borders and containers. It’s heat-tolerant and thrives in full sun with little maintenance.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Frost	Full Sun	Purple, Pink, Red, White	6-12 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread

15. Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)

Portulaca, or moss rose, is a succulent annual that thrives in hot, dry conditions. It produces bright, rose-like blooms and requires minimal watering.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Frost	Full Sun	Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, White	4-8 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread

16. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)

Sweet peas are fragrant, climbing annuals that are easy to grow from seed. They are perfect for adding vertical interest and fragrance to the garden.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Summer	Full Sun to Part Shade	Pink, White, Purple, Red, Blue	6-8 feet tall, 1-2 feet spread

17. Pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis)

Pansies are cool-weather annuals that are easy to grow and offer a wide range of colors. They are perfect for early spring or fall gardens.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring, Fall	Full Sun to Part Shade	Purple, Yellow, Blue, White, Orange, Red	6-9 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread

18. Cleome (Cleome hassleriana)

Cleome, also known as spider flower, is a tall, airy plant that adds height and drama to garden beds. It is drought-tolerant, grows quickly from seed, and attracts pollinators.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Fall	Full Sun	Pink, Purple, White	36-60 inches tall, 12-18 inches spread

19. Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)

Lobelia is known for its cascading clusters of vibrant blue, purple, or white flowers. It’s perfect for hanging baskets and borders, and it’s easy to grow in both sun and shade.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Frost	Full Sun to Part Shade	Blue, Purple, White	6-12 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread

20. Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)

Four O’Clocks are named for their habit of blooming late in the afternoon. They are low-maintenance and can tolerate poor soils, blooming in a variety of colors.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Fall	Full Sun to Part Shade	Pink, Red, Yellow, White	24-36 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread

21. Bachelor’s Button (Centaurea cyanus)

Bachelor’s Button, or cornflower, is a hardy, easy-to-grow annual that attracts bees and butterflies. It’s known for its striking blue flowers and thrives in poor soils.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Summer	Full Sun	Blue, Pink, White, Purple	12-36 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread

22. Geranium (Pelargonium)

Geraniums are easy-care plants that bloom continuously throughout the growing season. They thrive in containers or garden beds and are drought-tolerant once established.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Frost	Full Sun to Part Shade	Red, Pink, White, Salmon	12-24 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread

23. Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)

Dusty Miller is known for its silvery, lacy foliage that adds texture and contrast to flower beds. It’s highly drought-tolerant and easy to grow in sunny locations.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer	Full Sun	Silvery-Gray (foliage), Yellow (flowers)	6-18 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread

24. Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

Cornflower, or bachelor’s button, is a tough, easy-to-grow annual that self-sows readily. Its flowers are often blue but can also be found in pink, white, and purple.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Summer	Full Sun	Blue, Pink, White, Purple	12-36 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread

25. Tithonia (Tithonia rotundifolia)

Tithonia, also known as Mexican sunflower, is a heat-loving, drought-tolerant plant that produces large, bright orange-red flowers. It’s an excellent choice for attracting butterflies.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Summer to Fall	Full Sun	Orange, Red	36-72 inches tall, 24-36 inches spread

26. Clarkia (Clarkia amoena)

Clarkia, also known as godetia or farewell-to-spring, is an easy-to-grow annual that thrives in cooler climates. It produces delicate, satin-like flowers in a variety of colors.

Bloom Time	Sun	Colors	Height & Spread
Spring to Summer	Full Sun to Part Shade	Pink, Purple, Red, White	12-36 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread

Wrapping Up

Annual flowers are like the life of the party in your garden—they grow fast, bloom brilliantly, and bring endless joy before their grand finale at the end of the season. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to grow, even if you don’t have a green thumb (yet!). Enjoy!