Looking for a winter sowing seed list? Here is a big list of all the different types of plants you can winter sow, separated into categories like perennial flowers, hardy annuals, vegetables, and herbs.
Winter sowing seed list
Some seeds that work well for winter sowing include hardy perennial flowers such as black-eyed Susan, coneflower, and gaillardia; hardy herbs such as thyme, oregano, and chives; and hardy vegetables such as kale, carrots, and radishes. It is also important to select seed varieties that are known to be cold-tolerant and are adapted to your local climate.
You can try to winter sow most seeds, as freezing temperatures alone won’t kill the seeds. It is more likely that a long, cold, damp spring will result in seed rot for the less-hardy seeds. This is why the best plants for winter sowing can sprout in nature all on their own after a long and cold winter. If you have seen a plant “volunteer” in the garden or compost heap before, it’s worth trying!
Perennial flower seeds to winter sow
Here is a list of perennial flower seeds that can be winter sown:
- Anemone
- Artemesia
- Aster
- Bachelor’s button
- Balloon flower
- Bee balm
- Bellflower
- Blackberry lily
- Blanket flower
- Blazing star
- Butterfly weed
- Canada lily
- Canterbury bells
- Catmint
- Chinese lanterns
- Chrysanthemum
- Cinquefoil
- Columbine
- Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Coral Bells
- Coreopsis
- Cranesbill
- Creeping thyme
- Daylily
- Delphinium
- Dianthus
- English daisy
- Evening primrose
- False Indigo
- Flax
- Foxglove
- Gaura
- Globe thistle
- Helenium
- Hellebore
- Hollyhock
- Lady’s mantle
- Lamb’s ears
- Lily of the valley
- Lupin
- Milkweed
- Pasque flower
- Penstemon
- Phlox
- Pincushion flower
- Pinks
- Plumbago
- Poppy
- Primrose
- Rudbeckia
- Salvia
- Sea holly
- Sea thrift
- Shasta daisy
- Sweet peas
- Sweet violet
- Toad lily
- Verbena
- Veronica
- Viola
- Yarrow
Perennial flower seeds are generally excellent for winter sowing. They can typically be winter sown in very cold climates, as long as the mature plant will also be hardy to the local zone.
Annual flower seeds to winter sow
Here are some hardy annual flower seeds that can be winter sown:
- Blanket flower
- Calendula
- California poppy
- Cape daisy
- Cape marigold
- Celosia
- China aster
- China pinks
- Cornflower
- Cosmos
- Forget-me-not
- Larkspur
- Mexican sunflower
- Morning glory
- Nasturtium
- Nigella
- Ox-eye daisy
- Petunia
- Pincushion flower
- Poached egg plant
- Snapdragons
- Stock
- Strawflower
- Sunflower
- Sweet alyssum
- Sweet peas
- Valerian
Hardy annuals and some half-hardy annuals can be winter sown fairly easily. This even includes some heat-loving plants such as sunflowers.
Vegetable seeds to winter sow
Here are some vegetable seeds that can be winter sown:
- Artichoke
- Beets
- Bok choi
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chard
- Collards
- Corn (choose early varieties)
- Cucumbers (sow in late winter)
- Garlic
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Peppers (sow in late winter)
- Pumpkins (sow in late winter)
- Radish
- Scallions
- Shallots
- Spinach
- Squash (sow in late winter)
- Tomatoes (sow in late winter)
Most of these crops are cool-season crops, and can be winter-sown any time of year. For the warm season crops, like tomatoes and squash, wait until the end of winter before you winter sow them, just so they don’t rot after sitting for too long in cold, wet conditions. That said, it’s pretty common to see volunteer pumpkins and tomatoes sprouting in last year’s garden!
Herb seeds to winter sow
Here are some herbs that you can winter sow:
- Chamomile
- Chervil
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Herb fennel
- Lavender
- Lemon balm
- Lovage
- Marjoram
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Savory
- Tarragon
- Thyme
Herb seeds generally work quite well with winter sowing. If there is a herb you’re wondering about and it’s not listed above – just try it!
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