Nothing says flower farmer vibes more than holding a giant, multicoloured bouquet of homegrown flowers…in front of your face. It’s a serious vibe! And actually easy to do in your own backyard garden. This post will walk you through the 10 easiest cut flowers to grow from seed for beginners. You can be a flower farm even if you’re new to gardening.
Growing flowers from seeds is an enjoyable activity that even beginner gardeners can do. With just a cup some soil and seeds, you can grow beautiful flowers right on your windowsill. Not all flowers are suitable for container growing, but some are perfect candidates. Here are 10 easy flower varieties you can grow in a cup.
Why Grow Flowers in Cups?
Cup gardening offers many benefits:
-
It’s fun and easy – All you need is a cup, soil, and seeds. No need for large gardening spaces or equipment.
-
Space-saving – Cups take up little room, so you can grow flowers anywhere.
-
Portability – Move your mini-gardens around to place them where they’ll get the most sun.
-
Observation – The transparency of cups lets you observe the germination process.
-
Gifting – Growing flowers in cups creates cute gifts for others.
So if you’re short on space or wanting an easy gardening project, look no further than a simple cup!
10 Best Flowers for Cups
Here are 10 flowers that are simple to grow in cups:
1. Marigolds
Marigolds are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seeds. Their brightly colored blooms come in shades of yellow, orange, red and brown.
- Grow in full sun
- Plant seeds 1⁄4” deep
- Germinates in 5-7 days
2. Zinnias
Zinnias produce abundant, long-lasting flowers in almost every color except blue. The bright, daisy-like blooms attract pollinators.
- Grow in full sun
- Plant seeds 1⁄4” deep
- Germinates in 5-7 days
3. Petunias
Petunias are a popular pick for containers with their wide array of solid and bicolor blooms. The trumpet-shaped flowers bloom all season.
- Grow in full sun
- Plant seeds 1⁄8” deep
- Germinates in 5-12 days
4. Sunflowers
The iconic, cheerful sunflower is easy to grow in a cup. Choose dwarf or container varieties.
- Grow in full sun
- Plant seeds 1” deep
- Germinates in 5-10 days
5. Morning Glories
This old-fashioned vine produces funnel-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue and white. It’s easy to grow but can spread.
- Grow in full sun
- Plant seeds 1⁄2” deep
- Germinates in 5-10 days
6. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums produce colorful edible flowers with a peppery taste. The mounding plants work well in containers.
- Grow in full sun
- Plant seeds 1⁄2″ deep
- Germinates in 5-7 days
7. Calendula
Also called pot marigolds, these medicinal flowers bloom in warm shades of yellow and orange.
- Grow in full sun
- Plant seeds on surface
- Germinates in 7-14 days
8. Cosmos
This tall, airy annual comes in bright shades like pink, orange, white and red. It self-sows readily.
- Grow in full sun
- Plant seeds on surface
- Germinates in 5-10 days
9. Bachelor Buttons
Also known as cornflowers, these hardy annuals produce blue, purple, white or pink flowers on long stems.
- Grow in full sun
- Plant seeds on surface
- Germinates in 5-10 days
10. Sweet Peas
These old-fashioned climbing vines bloom in many colors and have a lovely, sweet fragrance. Support vines in cups.
- Grow in full sun
- Plant seeds 1″ deep
- Germinate in 14-21 days
How to Grow Flowers in Cups
Follow these simple steps for growing flowers in cups:
1. Choose a cup and add drainage. Recycle clear plastic cups or use paper cups. Poke holes in the bottom for drainage. Place a piece of screen or paper towel inside to keep soil in.
2. Fill with soil. Use commercial seed starting mix or make your own with peat moss and perlite. Press down lightly to remove air pockets.
3. Plant seeds according to packet directions. Sow seeds at the proper depth based on variety. Cover and lightly firm the soil.
4. Water. Be sure the soil stays moist but not soaked. Place cups in a waterproof tray and bottom water as needed.
5. Provide light and warmth. Set cups in a south-facing window or under grow lights. Keep temps between 70-75°F for optimal germination.
6. Transplant. Most plants will need more room when seedlings outgrow the cups. Gently transplant each seedling into a larger pot with fresh potting mix.
With proper care, you’ll be amazed at what you can grow in nothing but a simple cup. The portability and small size make cup gardening enjoyable for gardeners of every experience level.
How To Grow Sunflowers For Cut Flowers
Difficulty Level: Very easy, rookie-friendly for beginner gardeners.
Sun: Requires full sun, minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Planting: Direct sow sunflowers in the garden outside after all risk of frost is gone. In Zone 3 in Manitoba, this is typically any time after May 27. Sow seeds about a 1/2″ deep and water consistently until germination.
Growing: Amend the soil where you’re going to plant your sunflowers with an all-purpose organic compost. Mix it into the top layer of soil. Once seedlings have emerged, keep well watered. I apply a liquid kelp-based fertilizer called Sea Magic to my sunflowers every month or so to encourage blooming, however this isn’t necessary. Sunflowers will do well with simply consistent water and sunlight.
Suggested Varieties: For cut flowers, select branching sunflower varieties rather than single stem as they will give you more cut flowers from a single plant. My fav varieties are Sunrich Lemon, Italian White and Solar Power (bright orange blooms!).
Poppies also top the list as one of the easiest cut flowers for beginners to grow for two key reasons:
1. Poppies are one of the very first flowers that can be seeded in the garden even before your last frost. They will actually germinate better in cold soil.
2. Poppies must be direct seeded for best results, meaning no indoor seed starting required!
I used to think Poppies were kind of an old lady flower and never really grew them. That is until I discovered the hundreds of gorgeous varieties available, like these frilly Double Pink Poppies pictured above.
I also love cutting some of the unopened seed heads from the stem to add to bouquets. It adds really cool texture when placed among colourful flowers.
How To Grow Strawflowers For Cut Flowers
Difficulty Level: Easy, but do best when started early indoors under grow lights so requires some pre-planning.
Sun: Full sun is best for continuous blooms.
Planting: Start indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date. In Zone 3, I typically start my Strawflowers indoors in mid-March. I sow the seeds just on the soil surface as they need light to germinate. I then water from below using a second tray underneath my cells that I fill with water.
Growing: Transplant Strawflowers in the garden after your last frost in the Spring. They need warm soil above 10°C/50°F in order to survive. I feed my strawflowers with Sea Magic once or twice throughout the growing season, but do not have a consistent fertilizing schedule for them. I’m convinced they’d do great without fertilizer too.
Suggested Varieties: It can sometimes be difficult to source Strawflower seed, but I have grown Sultane Strawflowers, over the last few years and really enjoyed them.
You may be surprised to see Sweet Peas on an “easy to grow” cut flower list as I know they come with challenges for many gardeners. But hear me out…
Check out my full post How To Grow Sweet Peas for my comprehensive growing guide.
Growing Nasturtiums – An Edible, Easy-to-Grow Cool Season Flower
FAQ
What is the easiest flower to grow in a cup?
Sunflowers are our most recommended flowering plant to start indoors. Sow one seed per cup in spring or late summer and moisten the soil until it germinates. It is best grown with sunny balconies if grown in pots. Marigold.
What is the easiest flower to grow for beginners?
- Black-eyed Susans. Black-eyed Susans are popular native flowers that are not fussy and work in any landscape and have a long bloom time. …
- Calendulas. Calendulas are very easy annuals to grow and maintain. …
- Cosmos. …
- Dianthuses. …
- Marigolds. …
- Nasturtiums. …
- Pansies. …
- Petunias.
What is the easiest flower to grow inside?
- Peace lily. The peace lily is a top choice among indoor flowering plants that bloom all year. …
- Kalanchoe. Kalanchoe is a flowering succulent. …
- Anthurium. Anthurium is the world’s longest-blooming plant. …
- Christmas Cactus. …
- Amaryllis. …
- Phalaenopsis Orchid. …
- Lipstick plant. …
- Flowering maple.
What are the best easy flower seeds to grow in a cup?
Here are some of the best easy flower seeds to grow in a cup: Marigolds are very easy to grow and come in a variety of bright colors. They can tolerate hot and dry conditions, making them a great option for beginners. Zinnias are also easy to grow and come in a wide range of colors, from pastels to bright hues.
What flowers grow in cups?
Sunflowers are a popular choice for growing in cups as they are easy to grow and add a cheerful touch to any space. They can grow up to six feet tall, but smaller varieties are also available. Pansies are a great choice for cooler climates as they can tolerate frost.
Is a cup plant a good plant?
If you have a taste for whole-grain that starts its life in a cup, this is the plant for you. To make things easier, it’s also not picky about where it grows, so it’s a bit like lettuce which can grow both outdoors or indoors. They are not demanding and easy to manage inside their cup planter environment.
Can you grow seeds in a cup?
If you’re new to gardening or just looking for an easy project, growing seeds in a cup is a great option. You can either use cups from a coffee shop or recycle some old yogurt containers. By following these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to harvesting your flowers or vegetables in no time!
What plants grow best in small pots?
Seeds of small plants such as herbs, lettuces, radishes, carrots, and some flowers such as pansies, violas, and nasturtiums grow best in small pots. What seeds grow best in small pots?
How do you plant seeds in a coffee cup?
Simply pierce the bottom of the cup with your sharp object to give the seeds enough space to grow through. You can also use a utility knife or nail to create more precise holes. Once you have made your holes, fill the cups with potting soil and plant your seeds.