Best Flower Seeds to Grow: Petunias, Gerbera Daisies & More

Whether you're filling hanging baskets with cascading color or planting a cutting garden that rivals a florist's cooler, choosing the best flower seeds is the single most important decision you'll make this season. From trailing petunias to vibrant gerbera daisies, this guide covers the top flowering varieties, how to start them from seed, and exactly which products will give you the most spectacular results.

Why Growing Flowers from Seed Is Worth It

Starting flowers from seed gives you access to hundreds of varieties you'll never find at a garden center — and at a fraction of the cost. A single packet of pelleted petunia seeds can fill an entire patio with color for less than the price of one nursery flat. The key is knowing which varieties perform best, when to start them, and how to match them to your growing zone.

Top Flower Seeds to Grow This Season

1. Trailing Petunias — The Hanging Basket Champion

Trailing petunias are the undisputed kings of container gardening. Their long, cascading stems spill over the edges of baskets and window boxes in a waterfall of color that lasts from late spring through first frost. Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before your last frost date under bright grow lights.

• Petunia Trilogy Pink Lips Trailing Petunia – 25 Pelleted Seeds — a show-stopping bicolor with deep pink veining
• Petunia Supercascade Blue – 25 to 500 Pelleted Seeds — a classic cascading blue that fills baskets fast
• Petunia Prism Dewberry – 50 Pelleted Seeds — rich berry tones with excellent heat tolerance

2. Wave Petunias — Ground Cover That Spreads Like Wildfire

Wave-type petunias spread aggressively along the ground, making them perfect for mass plantings, slopes, and large containers. They're self-cleaning, meaning you don't need to deadhead — they just keep blooming. Start 10–12 weeks before last frost.

• Petunia Celebrity Mix – 50 Pelleted Seeds — a reliable spreading mix in a rainbow of colors
• Petunia Flashforward Blue – 25 Pelleted Seeds — compact, early-blooming, and intensely blue
• Petunia Explorer Purple – 25 Pelleted Seeds — vigorous spreading habit with deep purple blooms

3. Gerbera Daisies — Bold, Bright Cut Flowers from Seed

Gerbera daisies are one of the most popular cut flowers in the world, and growing them from seed is deeply satisfying. They prefer warm soil (70–75°F) and bright light. Start 12–16 weeks before your last frost date for summer blooms.

• Gerbera Cartwheel Chardonnay – 15 Seeds — creamy yellow blooms with a classic daisy form
• Gerbera Cartwheel Strawberry Twist – 15 Seeds — stunning bicolor in strawberry and cream
• Mega Revolution Watermelon Gerbera Daisy – 15 Seeds — large blooms in vivid watermelon pink

4. Zinnias — The Easiest Cut Flower You'll Ever Grow

Zinnias are the workhorse of the cutting garden — fast-growing, heat-loving, and incredibly prolific. Direct sow after last frost or start indoors 4–6 weeks early. The more you cut, the more they bloom.

• Zinnia Higro Orange – 50 Seeds — vivid orange blooms on strong, straight stems
• Zinnia Higro Mix – 50 Seeds — a full-spectrum mix perfect for cutting gardens

How to Start Flower Seeds Indoors: A Quick-Start Guide

Getting your timing right is everything. Here's a simple framework:

1. Know your last frost date. Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find your zone and average last frost.
2. Count back from last frost. Petunias and gerberas need 10–16 weeks; zinnias only need 4–6.
3. Use a quality seed-starting mix — not garden soil. Fill trays, moisten, and sow seeds at the depth listed on the packet.
4. Provide bottom heat. A heat mat set to 70–75°F dramatically improves germination rates for petunias and gerberas.
5. Light is non-negotiable. Place seedlings under grow lights for 14–16 hours per day as soon as they sprout.
6. Harden off before transplanting. Spend 7–10 days gradually exposing seedlings to outdoor conditions before planting out.

Matching Flower Seeds to Your Growing Zone

Your USDA Hardiness Zone determines which flowers thrive in your garden and when to plant them. Here's a quick zone guide for the flowers in this post:

• Zones 3–5 (Short Seasons): Start petunias and gerberas very early indoors (February–March). Focus on fast-maturing varieties. Zinnias are your best direct-sow bet after last frost.
• Zones 6–7 (Moderate Seasons): Start petunias in January–February indoors. Gerberas can be started in February for June blooms. Zinnias can go direct in May.
• Zones 8–10 (Long Seasons): You have the luxury of multiple successions. Start petunias in January for spring color, then again in August for fall. Gerberas can overwinter in Zone 9+.

For a deep dive into zone-by-zone planting, check out our guide: Zone Growing Guide: Starting Seeds for Your Region.

Related Guides You'll Love

• 🌸 Trailing Petunias for Hanging Baskets: A Blooming Cascade of Color — everything you need to know about growing trailing petunias in containers
• 🌼 Cut Flower Seeds We Like to Grow — our curated list of the best cut flower varieties including gerbera daisies
• 🌱 When to Start Seeds Indoors: A Complete Timing Guide — nail your seed-starting schedule every time
• 🌍 Zone-by-Zone Flower Growing Guide — match your seeds to your climate for maximum success
• ✂️ How to Grow Zinnia Seeds for Cut Flowers: Complete Guide for Long-Lasting Blooms — everything you need for a prolific zinnia cutting garden
• 🌿 Top Cut Flower Seeds for Professional Growers — lisianthus, gomphrena, zinnia and more for serious gardeners

Frequently Asked Questions About Flower Seeds

What are the easiest flower seeds to grow from seed?

Zinnias, marigolds, and sunflowers are the easiest flower seeds for beginners — they germinate quickly, tolerate a range of conditions, and bloom fast. For slightly more challenge with spectacular results, trailing petunias and gerbera daisies are excellent next steps.

How long do flower seeds take to germinate?

Germination time varies by species. Zinnias sprout in 5–7 days. Petunias take 7–14 days with bottom heat. Gerbera daisies can take 14–21 days and need consistent warmth (70–75°F) to germinate reliably.

Do I need to start flower seeds indoors?

It depends on the variety and your climate. Zinnias and marigolds can be direct-sown outdoors after last frost. Petunias and gerbera daisies have long growing seasons and must be started indoors 10–16 weeks before your last frost date to bloom in summer.

What's the difference between trailing petunias and wave petunias?

Trailing petunias have long, pendulous stems that hang down — ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes. Wave petunias spread horizontally along the ground, making them perfect for mass plantings, borders, and large containers. Both are vigorous, heat-tolerant, and self-cleaning.

Can I grow gerbera daisies from seed?

Absolutely! Gerbera daisies grow beautifully from seed, though they require patience — plan for 12–16 weeks from sowing to first bloom. Use fresh seed, provide bottom heat, and give them plenty of bright light. Our Gerbera Cartwheel and Mega Revolution varieties are excellent choices for seed-starting success.

How many flower seeds should I plant per cell or pot?

For pelleted seeds (like our petunias and gerberas), plant one seed per cell — the pellet coating makes precision sowing easy. For non-pelleted seeds, sow 2–3 per cell and thin to the strongest seedling after germination.

What's the best soil for starting flower seeds?

Always use a dedicated seed-starting mix — never garden soil or potting mix. Seed-starting mixes are fine-textured, sterile, and drain well, which prevents damping off and gives tiny roots the best possible start.

When should I fertilize flower seedlings?

Wait until seedlings have their first set of true leaves (not the initial seed leaves), then begin feeding with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Once transplanted into containers or garden beds, switch to a bloom-boosting fertilizer higher in phosphorus.

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