Gardening is blooming into a serious investment for many Americans. The 2025 Axiom Gardening Outlook Survey reveals that 44.4% of respondents shelled out more for gardening in 2024, and even more are planning to dig deeper into their pockets in 2025.
But what if you could get a flourishing garden at little to no cost? As garden designer Kelly D. Norris puts it, “Self-seeded plants cost you nothing and bring happy accidents to your garden.”
These plants practically take care of themselves, multiplying season after season. Ready to stop spending and start enjoying? Here are 10 self-seeding flowers that will have your garden thriving for years without breaking the bank!
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Borage (Borago officinalis) is a hardy annual herb native to the Mediterranean, known for its vivid blue, star-shaped flowers that bloom from early summer to the first frost. The plant typically grows 30 to 90 cm tall (1 to 3 feet) and spreads 22 to 60 cm wide (9 to 24 inches). It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating drought and poor fertility with ease.
Borage is highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees, due to its abundant nectar production throughout the growing season. The flowers and young leaves have a mild cucumber flavor, making them popular edible garnishes for salads, drinks, and desserts. Once established, borage self-seeds readily, ensuring its return to gardens year after year without becoming invasive.
Calendula
Calendula, often referred to as pot marigold, does more than brighten flower beds with its golden or orange hues. Calendula has been used for centuries in herbal remedies, and modern studies confirm its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
It’s also edible, adding color to dishes like salads and desserts. It thrives in well-drained soil, germinates quickly, and reseeds itself after each season. By planting Calendula, you can integrate beauty, practicality, and sustainability in one go.
Love-in-a-Mist
Love-in-a-Mist, or Nigella Damascena, adds uniqueness with its feathery foliage and distinctive seed pods. It requires minimal maintenance, adapting to various soil types and reseeding effortlessly as it matures.
It grows 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches) tall, and it comes in hues of white, blue, and lavender, bringing both whimsy and elegance to your garden. Include Love-in-a-Mist for a carefree, sophisticated floral touch.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis, commonly known as tickseed, is a gardener’s delight due to its vibrant yellow blooms and ease of cultivation. This resilient plant thrives in poor soil conditions and requires minimal care, making it ideal for beginners.
It attracts an abundance of butterflies, thereby enhancing the ecological diversity of your garden. Coreopsis’s self-seeding capabilities allow it to spread naturally, filling gaps in flower beds. Plant Coreopsis in full sunlight and enjoy its cheerful appearance without frequent interference.
California Poppy
Praised for its environmental adaptability, the California Poppy suits regions with limited water access. Its golden-orange flowers bloom spectacularly under bright sunlight, covering landscapes with fiery and cheerful hues. They are usually broader than tall and can be anywhere between 4 to 12 inches tall.
Most poppies bloom for the 1st time during spring and the 2nd time in fall when planted properly. They germinate naturally, ensuring their long-lasting presence in drought-resistant gardens. Select this variety to strike a balance between sustainability and splendor.
Cosmos
Cosmos delivers charm with its delicate, daisy-like blooms in colors like pink, white, and crimson. Thriving in full sunlight and requiring only moderate watering, Cosmos is one of the easiest self-seeding flowers to grow.
Its ability to attract bees and butterflies contributes significantly to pollinator-friendly gardens, all while adding lush, vibrant color to your space. If simplicity and flair are priorities, Cosmos belongs in your lineup.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum provides an excellent solution for low-maintenance ground cover, featuring clusters of tiny white or light-colored flowers. Known for its intoxicating, honey-like fragrance, Sweet Alyssum acts as a border plant that thrives in most climates.
Its self-seeding capability keeps pathways or sections of your garden consistently adorned without additional effort. Choose Sweet Alyssum for fragrance and functionality combined.
Nasturtium
Nasturtium is well-loved for its peppery edible flowers and versatile uses in culinary applications. Its bold, bright blooms come in shades of red, orange, and yellow, catching attention and uplifting any garden space.
This plant thrives in compact soil and reseeds effectively, often filling empty patches while enhancing biodiversity. It’s recommended to plant them in the spring after the last frost, spacing the seeds about 10 inches apart to allow for their growth habit. With Nasturtium, your garden gains both stunning blooms and a source of flavorful garnishes.
Bachelor’s Button
Bachelor’s Button, also known as cornflower, is celebrated for its vibrant royal blue flowers. Besides its beauty, this flower contributes to ecosystems by attracting bees and beneficial insects that boost garden productivity.
Its self-seeding nature allows it to grow abundantly in sunlit conditions each year. They flourish best in temperatures ranging from 60°F to 75°F. Bachelor’s Button ensures color, charm, and ecological benefits within your garden effortlessly.
Larkspur
Larkspur stands out with its tall, striking spires that bring vertical interest to flower beds. Available in shades of blue, pink, and white, these delicate flowers create structural contrast when paired with lower-growing plants.
Larkspur self-seeds generously, providing new blooms each season without significant intervention. Its graceful appearance and natural propagation make it a sophisticated choice.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Self-seeding flowers save money: As gardening costs rise, self-seeding flowers like Borage and Calendula offer an economical solution, requiring little effort and ensuring your garden thrives year after year without additional expense.
Easy maintenance and sustainability: These flowers, including Coreopsis and California Poppy, thrive in various soil conditions and are drought-resistant, making them ideal for low-maintenance, eco-friendly gardens.
Attract pollinators: Many of these self-seeding flowers, such as Cosmos and Bachelor’s Button, draw beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, boosting your garden’s ecological diversity and health.
Versatile beauty: The vibrant colors of Nasturtium and the elegant appeal of Love-in-a-Mist provide both aesthetic beauty and functional benefits, making these flowers perfect for adding charm and texture to any garden.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
Don’t Swipe Until You Read This: The 7 Best Credit Cards for 2025 Ranked by Rewards
The 7 Best Credit Cards for 2025 Ranked by Rewards
There’s this moment that sticks with me—standing at a checkout line, swiping my old card like I always did, and thinking, “Wait… why am I not getting anything back for this?” I wasn’t traveling on points. I wasn’t getting cash back. I was just spending. Sound familiar?
Look, the truth is, credit cards can work for you—if you choose the right one. And in 2025, you’ve got some seriously rewarding options that can actually boost your bank account. From travel lovers to grocery haulers, there’s something for everyone.
Let’s break down the best credit cards out there this year—the ones that actually give back.
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
We all click on them with the hope that just THIS time the secret to changing a bad habit or adopting a healthy one will be revealed and we’ll finally be able to stick to that diet, stop that one or ten things that might in the moment make us feel temporarily good but really just make us fat, unhealthy, sad, mad or just frustrated with ourselves.
Well… this isn’t one of those articles. I don’t have 5 easy steps to help you change your habits….
