Growing cut flowers from seed allows you to fill your garden with beauty for a fraction of the cost of buying flowers, It’s also very rewarding to be able to create gorgeous bouquets using blooms you’ve nurtured from seed yourself

When choosing which cut flowers to grow, it’s important to select varieties that have long, strong stems and will last in a vase. Aim for a mix of colors, shapes and textures to create interesting arrangements. Here are 12 of the best cut flowers you can grow from seed:

1. Zinnias

Zinnias are one of the most popular cut flowers due to their diversity, easy care requirements and prolific blooms They come in a rainbow of colors including reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, purples and white. You can find single flowered varieties as well as double flowered ones that resemble dahlias

Some recommended zinnia varieties for cutting include Benary’s Giant, Queeny, Oklahoma and Zinderella. They produce abundant flowers on long, sturdy stems perfect for bouquets. Plant zinnias in full sun and provide moderate water. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

2. Sunflowers

Nothing says summer like cheerful sunflowers. Branching varieties that produce multiple blooms per stem are ideal for cutting. Some good choices include Pro Cut Bicolor, Valentine and Sunfinity. Sunflowers come in classic yellow as well as shades of orange, burgundy, cream and bicolors.

Start sunflowers indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. Once hardened off, transplant them into the garden in full sun. Sunflowers make great focal points in arrangements and also stand alone in simple vases.

3. Snapdragons

Snapdragons add height, dazzling colors and whimsical charm to bouquets. Look for tall varieties in the Antirrhinum majus species that grow 3-4 feet tall. Some popular ones include the Rocket, Maryland and Potomac series. Snapdragons come in white, pinks, reds, yellows, oranges and purples.

Sow snapdragon seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost. Grow them in full sun in well-drained soil. Stake taller varieties. Snapdragons make long lasting cut flowers.

4. Celosia

The uniquely shaped blooms of celosia add incredible texture and visual interest to arrangements. Plume celosias like Celosa Spicata produce feathery, narrow blooms while Cockscomb or Cristata types form dense, brain-like flower heads. Go for bold colors like the Dragon’s Breath mix.

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting outdoors after danger of frost Celosias thrive in hot and sunny conditions. Harvest flower plumes when the bottom flowers start to open Celosias also dry beautifully.

5. Cosmos

Cosmos produce abundant delicate, daisy-like blooms from early summer up to the first frost. Their fine, lacy foliage is also attractive. Some top picks include Cosmos Sensation, Rubenza, Pinkie and Double Click. Go for mix colors or single hues like white, pink or red.

Cosmos can be directly sown after the last frost or started indoors 4 weeks earlier. They grow best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. For fuller plants, pinch out the center shoot when 6 inches tall. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

6. Statice

Statice, also known as Limonium, blooms in paper-like flower clusters on tall stems in colors like white, blue, purple, yellow and pink. The dried flower heads retain their color well. Statice thrives in full sun and average soil. To prolong bloom time, shear plants by 1/3 after initial flowering.

Popular statice varieties for cutting include QIS formulas, Forever Statice and Caspia. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before outdoor planting. Statice adds great texture and lasting beauty to both fresh and dried bouquets.

7. Scabiosa

Also called pincushion flower, scabiosa blooms in round clusters atop long slender stems. They bloom from early summer well into fall in shades of white, pink, lavender, blue and mahogany. Good varieties include Tall Double Mixed and Fama Blue.

Start scabiosa seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before planting out. Grow in full sun in average soil. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Scabiosa adds fullness and delightful color to mixed bouquets.

8. Ammi Majus

The lacy, umbelliferous white bloom clusters of Ammi Majus provide an airy, delicate texture that instantly elevates any bouquet. Also known as false Queen Anne’s lace, ammi majus thrives in full sun and should be direct sown after danger of frost.

To get a continuous supply of blooms, sow seeds every 2-3 weeks until mid summer. Harvest flower umbels when the base petals start to open. Condition the cut stems in water before arranging for longest vase life.

9. Gomphrena

Gomphrena produces rounded clusters of flowers reminiscent of clover atop sturdy stems. Popular varieties come in colors like white, pink, purple and orange. Gomphrena is heat and drought tolerant, making it a great choice for hot climates. The dried flower heads also retain their color and shape well.

Start gomphrena seeds indoors 5-6 weeks before your last frost date. Grow in full sun in well-drained soil. To encourage continuous blooms, shear plants by 1/3 after initial flowering. Gomphrena adds playful texture and color to arrangements.

10. Dahlias

While dahlias are commonly grown from tubers, many varieties can also be started from seed, especially if you have a long growing season. Dahlias bloom prolifically in almost every color except blue and add dramatic focal points to bouquets with their dinner plate-sized blooms.

Start dahlia seeds indoors 8-10 weeks prior to planting out. Grow them in full sun in fertile soil. Provide sturdy staking for plants that can reach 4-6 feet tall. Disbud plants to get the largest blooms on long, straight stems perfect for cutting.

11. Sweet Peas

Sweetly scented sweet peas produce an abundance of gorgeous, ruffled blooms in spring and early summer. Some top picks include heirloom varieties like ‘Cupani’, ‘Painted Lady’ and ‘Old Spice’. There’s also a rainbow of modern hybrids to choose from.

In early spring, pre-sprout sweet pea seeds indoors and plant out into the garden after the last frost. Grow sweet peas in full sun and provide supports or trellising for the vining stems. Keep flowers picked to encourage more blooms.

12. Calendula

Calendula, also called pot marigold, blooms vigorously in shades of yellow, gold and orange throughout the growing season. The flowers are edible and medicinal. Calendula officinalis is the best species for cut flowers. Deadhead spent blooms to keep them coming.

Calendula thrives in full sun to partial shade and average to poor soil. Direct sow after danger of frost or start seeds indoors 4 weeks earlier. Calendula petals add a pop of color to salads and other dishes too.

When to Start Seeds for Cut Flowers

Most annual cut flowers perform best started indoors and transplanted outside after danger of frost. This gives the plants time to establish before flowering. Start seeds indoors 4-10 weeks before your last expected frost date based on the variety.

For quick growing annuals like calendula and cosmos, 4 weeks is sufficient. Slow growers like snapdragons need 8-10 weeks indoors before hardening off and transplanting. Follow the seed packet directions for each flower variety’s specific timing.

You can also direct sow some annuals right into the garden a couple weeks before your last frost date. This works well for fast growing types like zinnias, sunflowers and calendula. To extend the harvest, make succession sowings every 2-3 weeks until mid summer.

Caring for Young Seedlings

Growing cut flowers from seed starts with quality seed starting practices. Use fresh seed from reputable sources and always check the expiration date. Start seeds in a sterile, soilless seed starting mix to prevent damping off disease.

Plant seeds at the depth recommended on the packet and water from the bottom by placing pots in trays of water. Cover seeded pots with plastic domes or plastic wrap to maintain even moisture and humidity.

Keep seeded pots in a warm (70-75°F) spot until seedlings emerge. Provide adequate light from grow lights or a sunny window as soon as the first seedling leaves (cotyledons) appear. Turn pots daily to prevent seedlings from stretching toward the light.

Once seedlings form their first set of true leaves, begin fertilizing weekly with a balanced fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength. Harden off plants gradually before transplanting outdoors.

How to Grow Cut Flowers from Seed Outdoors

Prepare garden beds for cut flowers by amending soil with compost or aged manure to improve drainage and nutrients. Cut flowers thrive best in full sun locations with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Space transplants according to packet directions to allow for growth.

Water transplants deeply and provide routine watering during dry periods. Apply a balanced flower fertilizer monthly or biweekly according to package directions. Cut flowers are heavy feeders. Mulching around plants helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Install plant supports like trellises, stakes and tomato cages early before plants become large and unwieldy. This prevents damage to the plants later on. Cut flowers at their peak of perfection for the best vase life. Make angled cuts just above a leaf node and immediately place in water.

Designing a Cut Flower Garden

When planning a garden for cut flowers, include a variety of heights, colors and bloom times for a continuous supply of fresh flowers. Plant quick blooming annuals like zinnias and cosmos along with later bloomers like dahlias and sunflowers that peak in late summer and fall.

Aim for at least 10-12 flower varieties. Group varieties together in rows or blocks for easier care and harvest. Space plants appropriately to allow for growth – taller back, shorter front. Arrange colors in sweeps for a decorative look.

Include handy fillers like Baby’s Breath, feverfew, cosmos and foliage plants like asparagus fern. Leave pathways between beds 12-18” wide for easy access. Situate annuals in full sun in the center or back and shade lovers on the north or east side.

Finding More Cut Flower Inspiration

I hope these tips help you get started growing a productive cutting garden from seed this season. Experiment, have fun and see which flowers you enjoy growing and arranging the most.

For more inspiration, check out sites like Floret Flowers, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, American Meadows and local extension services. Visit public gardens, flower farms and botanical gardens to see cut flowers in action. Happy growing!

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