Kick off summer blooms by sowing flower seeds indoors this February. Although outdoor planting may not be feasible yet in many regions, you can start a variety of seeds like alyssum, asters, larkspur, sweet peas, and more in a warm spot or greenhouse.
Starting your flowers indoors now means robust plants ready to transition outside after the last frost. You'll enjoy an earlier display of blooms, benefiting both your garden and local wildlife. If you're curious about what to plant in February, flowers should definitely be included.
I've always found joy in sowing seeds early in the year, whether for professional gardens, restaurants, or my own home. The satisfaction of early sowing is immense, and the rewards are well worth the effort. Here are my top seven flower seeds to sow this February.
1. Alyssum
Alyssum is a beloved half-hardy annual that works beautifully as a fragrant ground cover or in containers. It produces delicate white flowers all summer and is easy to grow from seed indoors.
Begin sowing seeds indoors in February. It may seem premature for a summer bloomer, but alyssum seeds can take up to four weeks to germinate, so getting ahead is wise.
Lightly sprinkle the seeds on seed compost and cover them gently with vermiculite. Avoid thick coverage since they require light for germination.
Maintain temperatures of 50-60°F and keep the soil moist. Patience is key as seedlings may take time to emerge. Transplant seedlings into pots once they're big enough to handle, and plant them outdoors after frost.
Find snow alyssum seeds at Burpee for lovely white blooms.
2. Asters
Asters, or Michaelmas daisies, bloom vibrantly in late summer and add color into the cooler months. They're excellent for attracting pollinators to your garden.
With numerous varieties available, you can grow them from seed as a cost-effective alternative to buying established plants. They need plenty of time to grow strong before summer and fall.
Sow aster seeds six to eight weeks before the final frost, placing them 1/8 inch deep in seed compost. Use a heated propagator or heat mat to maintain 65-75°F.
Seeds typically germinate in 10-14 days. After they sprout, grow them in a bright area and consider using LED grow lights if needed. Plant them in a sunny spot after the last frost.
Check out single-flowered China asters at Botanical Interests for a beautiful cut flower display.
3. Cornflower
Bachelor's buttons, or cornflowers, are charming wildflowers with petite ruffled petals on slender stems. Most are blue, but they also come in pink, white, and deep red.
These flowers shine in wildflower gardens and add a touch of color to cottage gardens, attracting bees and butterflies.
While typically sown outdoors after warming up, you can start them indoors in February for earlier blooms.
Simply sprinkle seeds on modules or pots filled with seed compost and cover lightly with soil or vermiculite. Germination occurs within two weeks at 60-70°F.
Grab a packet of mixed-color Bachelor Buttons seeds at Amazon.
4. Impatiens
Impatiens are favorite annuals, ideal for shaded areas in beds, containers, and hanging baskets. Their vibrant blooms come in red, pink, purple, and orange.
Though you can buy them as small plants, starting from seed is cost-effective, although it requires patience since they grow slowly. February is the perfect time to begin.
Carefully sow the tiny seeds on the surface of modules or pots, pressing them lightly into the growing medium. They need light, so cover them thinly.
Keep the containers in a warm spot (70-75°F) to encourage germination. After a few weeks, maintain temperatures of 60-65°F as they grow. Once the risk of frost has passed, you can move them outside. Remember to deadhead for continual blooms.
Find impatiens seeds at Burpee for a vibrant display.
5. Larkspur
Larkspur is a traditional favorite for cottage gardens, known for its tall stems that add height and interest, making it a stunning cut flower.
While it can be challenging to germinate, we can help simplify the process. Larkspur seeds need cold stratification. You can achieve this by sowing in fall or refrigerating seeds for a week or two prior to sowing.
After chilling, sow them in pots or trays and cover lightly with compost or vermiculite. For best results, germinate in a cooler environment, such as an unheated greenhouse or cold frame.
Consider purchasing a 'shades of blue' mix of Larkspur seeds at Botanical Interests for a stunning array of blooms.
Nicotiana
Nicotiana, or flowering tobacco, adds flair to summer borders with its tall, fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers in a variety of colors.
Growing nicotiana is straightforward. Sow fine seeds onto compost and cover lightly with soil or vermiculite. Ideal temperatures range from 60-68°F, and germination may take up to two weeks.
Once seedlings are big enough, transplant them into their own pots. Keep them moist but not overly wet, and once temperatures rise, harden them off before planting outdoors.
Consider this mixed packet of nicotiana seeds at True Leaf Market for vibrant blooms.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are beloved worldwide for good reason. They're simple to grow, produce many blooms, and are wonderfully fragrant, with countless varieties available.
Typically, sweet peas are planted in fall or spring, but February is also perfect for starting them indoors, yielding strong plants for spring planting.
Soaking seeds for 24 hours can help soften their tough exterior and speed up germination. Using deep pots or root trainers, like these root trainers at Amazon, helps prevent early root restriction.
Plant seeds half an inch deep in compost, keeping them in a cool greenhouse or bright windowsill. Pinch out the main tip when seedlings reach 4-6 inches for bushier plants.
Discover a variety of sweet pea seeds at Amazon to match your preferences.
For more gardening insights, check out this guide to February gardening tasks, highlighting nine essential tasks recommended by a professional horticulturist.
Shop Flower Seeds for February
Sweet Pea Seeds - Knee High Mix
This collection offers fragrant blooms in red, pink, purple, and white.
35 Flower Seeds Collection
Includes 35 non-GMO and heirloom flower seed packets for a diverse garden.
Alyssum Seeds Variety Pack
Contains seeds for four alyssum varieties: Basket of Gold, Royal Carpet, Dwarf Pink, and Carpet of Snow.
Aster Rainbow Mix Flower Seeds
A mix of aster seeds for pink, purple, red, lavender, and white blooms to brighten flower beds.
Blue Bachelor Buttons Seeds
Grow original deep blue cornflowers that flower in 50-60 days.
American Wild Native Wildflower Mix
A blend of seeds for over a dozen native plants, perfect for a thriving wildflower meadow across zones 1-10.
