While there is such a thing as getting ahead of yourself, that’s often the name of the game when prepping your garden for spring. And that preparation doesn’t just happen outdoors—you can even start certain seeds in the middle of winter so they’re ready to plant in April once temperatures are consistently above freezing.
From cheery violas to striking snapdragons, gardening pros share their favorite low-maintenance flowers you can get started on as soon as today, along tips to help them thrive.
Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Rebecca Sears, gardening expert and CMO at Ferry-Morse
Violas
Violas (Viola) are cheerful, cool-season flowers known for their pretty multi-hued petals. The purple, blue, and yellow variation is the most iconic, but you can find them in other colors, too.
“They may look dainty, but they are surprisingly resilient and are one of my favorite flowers for extending color into early spring and even winter in milder climates,” says Rebecca Sears, gardening expert and CMO at Ferry-Morse. “Violas are especially popular with gardeners because they are easy to grow from seed and perform beautifully in garden beds, borders, and containers.”
Planting Instructions:
Viola seeds should be started indoors about 8 to 12 weeks before your last expected frost. Sears says to use a light, well-draining seed-starting mix and keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy, and to keep them in a sunny spot. Germination happens within two weeks, and you can transplant them to individual pots once they’re strong enough to handle. Move outdoors in early spring.
Sweet Peas
Not to be confused with the green vegetable, sweet pea flowers (Lathyrus odoratus) are an annual vine that produces sweetly-scented flowers, says Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
He says this plant thrives in cool weather, making it a great choice for indoor seeding and transfer outdoors come early spring. “The stems of pea-like flowers can be cut and made into arrangements or cut flowers for the home,” Bunting adds.
Planting Instructions:
Start your sweet pea seeds on the windowsill or under grow lights in rich, well-draining soil that retains water. A slightly alkaline mix is ideal. “Once the seedlings are about 1-inch tall, transplant them into cell packs or individual pots,” Bunting advises. “The young plants can take the cool weather and peas, or sweet peas, are usually planted outdoors on St. Patrick’s Day.” (Gardeners consider this the official beginning of the gardening season.)
Snapdragons
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With their tall spikes and colorful, “dragon”-shaped blooms, snapdragons (Antirrhinum) are easily one of the most striking flowers in any garden. Sears says, “They bring vertical interest and vibrant color to flower beds and cut gardens, and they are especially attractive to pollinators.”
Because snapdragons have a longer growing cycle, starting them from seed indoors is one of the best ways to ensure strong, early blooms come spring.
Planting Instructions:
Start your snapdragon seeds inside about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost of the season. Sears says to press the seeds gently onto the surface of a seed-starting mix, as they need light to germinate, and then mist lightly to keep soil moist. “Place trays in a bright, warm spot and expect germination within one to two weeks. Once seedlings develop true leaves, transplant them into individual containers to encourage sturdy growth,” she instructs. “Harden plants off gradually before planting outdoors.”
Geranium
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Annual geraniums (Pelargonium) are beloved by gardeners for their stunning array of colors, and their leaves put on a pretty show via decorative patterns, as well.
“This is a slow-growing annual, so starting them in February gives them time to mature,” Bunting says. You can find this sun-loving flower in red, pink, white, purple, and other colors, and they offer a crisp, bright floral scent.
Planting Instructions:
Geraniums love light, so plant them in a sunny spot—such as a windowsill—or place them under grow lights as they germinate.Bunting says, “When the seedlings are ½ inch tall, tease them out of the soil which is called pricking out.” You can plant them in late April, but make sure they are strong and there’s no risk of very cold weather. Otherwise, Bunting says to hold off transplanting outdoors until May.
Pansies
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Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) are close relatives of violas and loved for their showy, expressive blooms. They’re also champs in cold weather, making them a great seed to start now for April bounty.
“They deliver vibrant color when many other flowers are still waking up and are a go-to choice for early spring gardens and fall plantings,” Sears tells us. “Pansies are especially valuable for gardeners who want reliable blooms during cooler months.”
Planting Instructions:
Starting pansy seeds indoors gives you a strong head start, especially in regions with short growing seasons. “Sow seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost using a fine, well-draining seed mix. Keep soil lightly moist and place trays in a bright area with indirect light,” Sears says. Once seedlings are established, pot them up individually and begin hardening them off before transplanting outdoors. Pansies thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer cooler conditions, so aim to plant them outside when daytime temperatures are mild.
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