Planting annuals every spring takes time, effort, and money. But some annual flowers naturally reseed themselves, giving you blooms year after year without needing replanting. These self-sowing annuals drop seeds at the end of their growing season. Then, when spring arrives, their seeds sprout and grow as if you had planted them yourself. Let’s look at 10 beautiful annual flowers that reseed themselves and how you can care for them to keep them coming back strong every year.
Cosmos
Cosmos are among the easiest annuals to grow. They reseed themselves freely and bloom all summer long with feathery foliage and daisy-like flowers in pink, white, or orange.
To grow cosmos, choose a sunny location and well-draining soil. Sow seeds directly in the ground after the last frost. Water them regularly, but don’t overwater. Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowering, but allow some to go to seed in late summer. Leave a few seed heads on the plant so they can drop and germinate the next spring.
For more in depth post on how to grow Cosmos just click here.
Cleome
Cleome, also known as spider flower, grows tall with airy blooms in pink, purple, or white. It reseeds itself with ease and adds a cottage garden feel to flower beds.
Plant cleome in full sun and average soil. Once established, it handles heat and drought well. Water young plants often but reduce watering once they mature. Let the seed pods dry on the plant near the end of the season. The seeds will fall and produce new plants the following year.
For more in depth post on how to grow Cleome just click here.
California Poppy
California poppies thrive in dry conditions and reseed readily. Their cheerful orange, yellow, or red blooms open with the sun and close in the evening.
Plant them in full sun and poor to average soil. Avoid rich soil because it leads to more leaves than flowers. Once they finish blooming, the plants set seed easily. Let the pods dry, split, and scatter in place. In warm climates, they may bloom almost year-round.
For more in depth post on how to grow California Poppies just click here.
Love-in-a-Mist
Love-in-a-mist has fine, lacy foliage and unique flowers in blue, white, or purple. After blooming, it forms attractive seed pods that look ornamental and reseed well.
Grow Nigella in full sun and well-draining soil. Sow the seeds directly in early spring or fall. Avoid transplanting because the roots don’t like disturbance. Water moderately. After flowering, leave the pods on the plant to dry and drop seeds for the next season.
For more in depth post on how to grow Love-in-a-mist just click here.
Bachelor’s Buttons – Cornflower
Bachelor’s buttons produce charming blue, pink, or white blooms that attract pollinators. These hardy annuals self-sow easily and come back reliably each year.
Choose a spot with full sun and average, well-drained soil. Sow seeds in early spring, and thin them once seedlings appear. Keep soil slightly moist until they’re established. Leave some flowers to go to seed, and they’ll return on their own the next season.
For more in depth post on how to grow Bachelor buttons just click here.
Larkspur
Larkspur grows tall spikes of blooms in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white. It reseeds generously and thrives in cooler spring temperatures.
Sow seeds in fall or very early spring because they need cold to germinate. Plant them in full sun and well-draining soil. Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Once they flower, let some seed pods dry and drop where they grow. In mild zones, they often return even stronger.
For more in depth post on how to grow Larkspur just click here.
Four O’Clocks
Four o’clocks open their blooms in the late afternoon and come in bold colors like pink, yellow, white, and red. They grow from tubers but also reseed from their black, drop-shaped seeds.
Plant them in full sun and average soil. Once established, they don’t need much care. Water during long dry spells. In fall, collect or let the seeds fall. They’ll sprout again in spring, often near the original plant.
For more in depth post on how to grow Four O’Clocks just click here.
Calendula – Pot Marigold
Calendula offers bright yellow and orange flowers that bloom through cool weather. It reseeds generously, especially in cooler regions.
Grow calendula in full sun to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist and deadhead to promote blooming. Near the end of the season, allow some flower heads to dry and scatter. They’ll return again when the temperatures cool in spring or fall.
For more in depth post on how to grow Calendula just click here.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum covers the ground with tiny, fragrant flowers in white, lavender, or pink. It self-sows freely and pops up in unexpected places like sidewalk cracks or between paving stones.
Grow it in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly but don’t overdo it. Allow some blooms to go to seed, and you’ll see a second wave later in the season. Leave them in place through fall, and new plants will emerge next spring.
For more in depth post on how to grow Sweet Alyssum just click here.
Marigolds
Marigolds bring bold color, pest control, and easy growth to gardens. Their bright orange, yellow, and red blooms light up garden beds and borders from spring through fall. While many people remove spent blooms, marigolds can reseed themselves if you let the flower heads mature and dry naturally.
Plant marigolds in full sun with well-draining soil. Water regularly but avoid soggy soil. Deadhead during the season to keep blooms coming. In late summer, stop deadheading and let some of the flower heads dry completely on the plant. Once they drop, they’ll scatter seeds that sprout the following spring. You can also collect seeds by removing the dried flower heads and saving the slender black-and-white seeds for planting later.
Marigolds not only reseed well, but they also repel pests like aphids and nematodes, making them a smart companion plant for vegetables and herbs.
For more in depth post on how to grow Marigolds just click here.
How to Help Annual Flowers Reseed Themselves
To make the most of self-sowing annuals, follow a few simple steps:
- Let Some Seed Heads Develop: Toward the end of summer, stop deadheading a few plants. Let their seed heads mature and drop naturally.
- Avoid Heavy Mulching: Thick mulch can stop seeds from reaching the soil. Instead, keep mulch light or leave small patches bare where reseeding happens.
- Mark Seedling Areas: In spring, don’t mistake new seedlings for weeds. Learn what young plants look like so you can protect them.
- Water Gently: When seedlings appear, water lightly to help them grow without washing them away.
Final Thoughts
Annual flowers that reseed themselves offer an easy, budget-friendly way to fill your garden with color year after year. By choosing a few of these reliable self-sowers, you’ll enjoy vibrant blooms with less effort every season. Give them the right soil, sun, and care, and they’ll reward you by coming back naturally—just like magic.
Let your garden do some of the work. Embrace self-seeding annuals, and watch your flower beds thrive with color and life.
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