Do you love gardens and want one of your own, but you don’t actually love the act of gardening itself? Lucky for you there are such things as self-seeding annuals that once you plant them, they will continue to grow again and again without the need to replant them every year.
Self-Seeding Plants You Need for Your Garden
When you plant your garden using self-seeding plants, you are planting a garden that is as low-cost as it is low-maintenance. For most of us who lead busy lives and have several demands on our time, energy, and bank accounts, this is the best kind of garden to have.
These plants all reseed themselves so that you don’t have to do much of anything from year-to-year. Just plant, water, harvest and let them be.
Read More: 10 Seeds Everyone Should Grow and Store in Case of a Global Emergency
Tips For Growing Self-Seeding Plants
Before we get into what to plant, read through these tips to give your self-seeding plants the best possible opportunity to flourish:
- Plant heirloom varieties
- Don’t deadhead (you want to encourage blooming)
- Educate yourself on each growth stage of your plant so that you don’t mistake them for a weed the following spring.
- Plant your self-seeding vegetables in their own patch, separate from non-self-seeding plants.
Keep all of those items in mind when choosing which plants you will use in your garden. Let’s begin with the flowers.
Self-Seeding Annuals
Who knew decorative and low-maintenance could be used to describe the same plants? If you want a gorgeous flower garden that grows year after year with little help from you, then these are the plants for you.
Field Poppy
This is a flower that has proven itself to grow even in places nearly completely destroyed by war, so it will definitely do well in your home garden. These flowers will range from nine to 18 inches in height and bloom late spring into early summer. They do best in hardiness zones 3 to 10 and in full sunlight.
Morning Glory
Available in purple, pink, blue, red, and white, these trumpet-shaped flowers are nothing but gorgeous. They can grow up to 15 feet tall and will use anything nearby for support – a fence, trellis, even other plants. Each year they regrow more numerous than before, so you may have to remove some and plant them elsewhere or they will take over your whole garden. Morning Glory does best in zones 3 to 10 and in partial shade to full sun.
Cosmos
These beauties bloom starting in June and continue until the first frost, keeping your garden colorful all season long. They grow to be about four feet tall and typically come in pink, purple, and white. Cosmos grow best in zones 2 to 11 and in full sun.
Calendula
A yellow-gold color, these are true gold for your garden. This is because they are the perfect companion plant for many others, including:
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Asparagus
- Peas
- Lettuce
They also help to attract pollinators to your garden which will help it grow even better. Calendula grows best in zones 2 to 11 in partial shade to full sun.
Giant Larkspur
With tall pink, blue, or white spikes, this flower is a show-stopper in any garden. They can be up to four feet tall and bloom for about two months. Giant Larkspur grows best in zones 2 to 11 and full sun.
Love-in-a-Mist
In bloom from June until August, these unique, stunning flowers can be seen in various blues, purples, pink and white. They grow best in zones 2 to 11 in full sun.
Sweet Alyssum
This is the perfect flower to fill in the gaps in your garden as it grows lower to the ground and forms a sort-of mat on your garden floor. Colors include purple, yellow, pink, and white. They can double in number from year to year, so transplanting some might be necessary each year. Sweet Alyssum grows best in zones 5 to 9 in partial shade to full sun.
Common Blue Violet
This low-growing perennial wildflower is a stemless plant, meaning that the flowers bloom directly from the plant’s underground rhizomes. It grows best in zones 3 to 7 in partial shade to full sun.
Garden Angelica
Though these flowers won’t add much color to your garden, they will certainly add visual appeal via shape. They grow up to six feet tall and their flower orbs can be up to six inches in diameter, so be sure to plant them with room to grow. Garden Angelica grows best in zones 5 to 7 in partial shade to full sun.
Honeywort
These flowers will not only attract important pollinating insects to your garden, but they will also attract hummingbirds for you to marvel at. As the season goes late and the weather gets cooler, they will deepen in color, turning a bright blue. Honeywort grows best in zones 2 to 11 in full sun.
Self Seeding Vegetables
Growing an herb and vegetable garden each year is a lot of work. Lighten your load by planting these low-maintenance plants.
Mountain Spinach
If it comes from the mountains, it has to be hearty, right? Mountain spinach comes in green, red, and white leafed options and is an amazing warm-weather alternative to regular spinach. The plants will reach six feet in height and will regrow each year without much input from you. Mountain spinach grows best in zones 4 to 8 in full sun.
Arugula
Known in some parts of the world as rocket, this green will add a slightly peppery flavor to your salads and sandwiches. This soft green doesn’t do well in the heat, so you will finish harvesting it by early summer. Arugula grows best in zones 5 to 9 in full sun.
Parsley
Often used primarily as a garnish in restaurants, parsley can add a lovely bit of flavor to your dishes. The first season you plant parsley, harvest it as normal. The second season, allow it to flower so that it will sow seeds for the following year. Do this a couple of times and you will quickly find yourself with a permanent little parsley patch. Parsley grows best in zones 5 to 9 in partial shade to full sun.
Dill
When it blooms, dill does a fantastic job of attracting pollinators to your garden. It can also be used to make homemade pickles and will readily go to seed and come up during the next growing season. Dill grows best in zones 2 to 9 in full sun.
Cilantro
A polarizing herb to say the least, for those who love the flavor is an easy herb to grow. Known as coriander in some countries, it is important to plant this one early so you can harvest it before it becomes too hot for the plant. You can harvest it for longer if you pluck off the flowers as they grow in, however, if you leave a few they will self-sow for the following year. Cilantro grows best in zones 2 to 11 in partial shade to full sun.
Lettuce
Lettuce is another plant that as long as you don’t cut too many of the leaves off of each plant, it will continue to grow back over the season until it becomes too hot. Allow it to flower and it will re-sow itself and come back again the following year. Lettuce grows best in zones 4 to 9 in partial shade to full sun.
Kale
One of the hardiest vegetables you can plant, kale plants will continue to grow in temperatures as cold as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. It will then go dormant for the winter and spring back up again the following season. Kale grows best in zones 7 to 10 in full sun.
Carrots
Carrots are another biennial plant, meaning that they won’t flower and sow their seeds until the second season. When harvesting them in their first season, leave a few of the carrots underground for the winter. In the spring, they will grow beautiful leafy greens that will bloom and then sow seeds for the following spring. Carrots grow best in zones 3 to 10 in full sun.
15 Perennials That Spread Like Crazy
If you want a garden that’s just completely taken over like crazy by a bunch of perennials, this list of 15 is a great place to start. Just word to the wise: it’s a good idea to make sure that they’re native to your area. Don’t accidentally plant an invasive!
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Black-eyed Susans are a gardener’s favorite for their cheerful yellow flowers with dark centers, which bloom from midsummer to early fall. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil but are drought-tolerant once established. These perennials spread via seeds and underground rhizomes, quickly forming colorful colonies. Loved for their ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, Black-eyed Susans are also low-maintenance, making them ideal for beginner gardeners or those seeking vibrant, long-lasting blooms.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are known for their adaptability and vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in a wide range of colors. They grow best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil but can tolerate poor conditions. These hardy perennials spread by forming dense clumps, which can be divided to control their growth or propagate new plants. Gardeners appreciate their resilience, ability to thrive in various climates, and long blooming period that adds consistent beauty to flower beds.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee Balm is a fragrant perennial that delights gardeners with its showy, tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Known for spreading via underground rhizomes, it’s perfect for filling in bare spots or creating a wildflower look. Bee Balm attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a popular choice for pollinator gardens and nature enthusiasts.
Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Lamb’s Ear is cherished for its soft, silvery foliage that adds texture and interest to any garden. This fast-growing ground cover thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for rock gardens or borders. It spreads quickly by forming mats and is drought-tolerant once established. Gardeners love Lamb’s Ear for its unique appearance, low-maintenance nature, and ability to suppress weeds effectively.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny is a vigorous ground cover with bright green, trailing foliage that cascades beautifully over borders or containers. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Known for its rapid spread, it quickly fills in gaps and creates a lush carpet of greenery. Gardeners appreciate its versatility in both water gardens and dry landscapes, as well as its vibrant, cheerful look.
Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides)
Gooseneck Loosestrife is a striking perennial with arching white flower spikes that resemble a goose’s neck. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. This plant spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes, making it ideal for naturalized areas or controlling erosion. Gardeners enjoy its unique flowers, ability to fill large spaces, and resilience in challenging conditions.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Lungwort is a shade-loving perennial with speckled, silver-green foliage and clusters of pink, blue, or violet flowers in early spring. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and dappled shade, spreading steadily to form attractive ground cover. Gardeners value Lungwort for its ability to brighten shady spots, its deer-resistant qualities, and its early blooms that provide nectar for pollinators.
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Coneflowers are beloved for their daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white, which bloom from summer into fall. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, spreading via seeds to form dense, colorful patches. Coneflowers attract bees, butterflies, and birds while requiring minimal maintenance. Gardeners love their long-lasting blooms, drought tolerance, and ability to add structure and height to flower beds.
Hostas (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are shade garden staples, prized for their lush, variegated foliage in shades of green, blue, and yellow. They prefer partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. Hostas spread through clump division, making them easy to propagate. Gardeners appreciate their adaptability, ability to thrive in low-light areas, and stunning foliage that provides texture and visual interest.
Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)
Ajuga, or Bugleweed, is a low-growing ground cover with glossy leaves and spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and tolerates various soil types, including poor or compacted soil. Ajuga spreads quickly via runners, forming dense mats that suppress weeds. Gardeners value it for its vibrant foliage, low-maintenance nature, and ability to thrive in challenging spaces.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian Sage is a drought-tolerant perennial with silvery foliage and airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers that bloom from midsummer to fall. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, spreading through underground runners. Gardeners love Russian Sage for its striking appearance, ability to thrive in hot and dry conditions, and its attractiveness to pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
The Obedient Plant is a tall, hardy perennial with tubular pink, purple, or white flowers on upright spikes. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist soil but spreads aggressively through rhizomes. Gardeners enjoy its vertical form, late-season blooms, and pollinator-friendly flowers. However, it’s often planted in controlled areas due to its vigorous growth.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a sun-loving perennial with flat-topped clusters of flowers in colors ranging from white to yellow, pink, and red. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, spreading through underground roots. Drought-tolerant and hardy, Yarrow is favored by gardeners for its medicinal uses, pollinator attraction, and ability to naturalize quickly in wildflower or cottage gardens.
Liriope (Liriope muscari)
Liriope, or Lilyturf, is a versatile ground cover with grass-like foliage and spikes of purple flowers in late summer. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and a wide range of soil types. Liriope spreads steadily by clumping, making it ideal for borders or filling in bare spots. Gardeners appreciate its low-maintenance nature, year-round appeal, and effectiveness in erosion control.
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
Ostrich Ferns are elegant perennials with feathery, bright green fronds that thrive in shaded, moist areas. They spread rapidly through underground rhizomes, forming lush colonies in woodland gardens. Gardeners love Ostrich Ferns for their ability to fill shady spaces, their deer-resistant nature, and the dramatic texture they add to garden designs.
