Winter sowing works for most perennial flowers, hardy annual flowers, cool-season vegetables, and cold-hardy herbs. The best seeds for winter sowing include plants that naturally self-seed outdoors, such as echinacea, rudbeckia, calendula, kale, lettuce, and thyme. These seeds tolerate freezing temperatures and germinate reliably once spring temperatures arrive. Success rates are highest for perennials and plants that typically struggle when started indoors or direct-seeded in spring.
Start with hardy perennials like coneflower and black-eyed Susan if this is your first time winter sowing. Move to hardy annuals like calendula and sweet peas once you are comfortable with the process. Add cool-season vegetables like kale and lettuce for early spring harvests.
Winter sowing mimics natural seed stratification that occurs when seeds fall to the ground in autumn and germinate in spring. Seeds experience cold temperatures and moisture cycles that break dormancy and trigger germination when conditions improve. This method works especially well for native wildflowers and perennials that have evolved to germinate after winter (Penn State Extension). Most seeds survive freezing, though long periods of cold, damp spring weather can cause rot in less-hardy varieties.
Perennial flower seeds to winter sow
Perennial flower seeds are excellent candidates for winter sowing because they naturally tolerate freezing temperatures and often require cold stratification to germinate properly. These seeds can be winter sown in very cold climates as long as the mature plant is hardy to the local growing zone.
Popular perennial flowers for winter sowing include:
- Anemone
- Artemisia
- 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
Many perennial seeds benefit from the cold stratification that happens naturally during winter sowing. Seeds like echinacea and rudbeckia germinate more reliably after experiencing cold temperatures. Purchase quality perennial seeds from reputable suppliers like [AFFILIATE LINK] to ensure good germination rates.
Annual flower seeds to winter sow
Hardy annual flower seeds and some half-hardy annual seeds can be winter sown successfully. These flowers complete their life cycle in one growing season but tolerate cold temperatures during germination. Even heat-loving plants like sunflowers can be winter sown if timing is managed carefully.
Hardy annual flowers for winter sowing include:
- 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
- Snapdragon
- Stock
- Strawflower
- Sunflower
- Sweet alyssum
- Sweet peas
- Valerian
Annual flowers like calendula and sweet peas perform particularly well with winter sowing. These plants naturally reseed themselves in gardens, which demonstrates their ability to handle cold temperatures. Stock up on annual flower seeds [AFFILIATE LINK] before winter sowing season begins.
Vegetable seeds to winter sow
Cool-season vegetable seeds are ideal for winter sowing and can be sown anytime during winter. Warm-season vegetables like tomatoes and squash can also be winter sown but should be started in late winter to prevent rot from extended cold, wet conditions.
Vegetable seeds suitable for winter sowing include:
- Artichoke
- Beets
- Bok choy
- Broccoli
- Brussels 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)
Cool-season crops like kale, lettuce, and peas can be winter sown throughout the cold months. Warm-season crops benefit from late-winter sowing to ensure they germinate as temperatures warm. Volunteer tomatoes and pumpkins often sprout in gardens from previous years, demonstrating that these seeds can survive winter conditions. Select high-quality vegetable seeds [AFFILIATE LINK] for best results with winter sowing.
Herb seeds to winter sow
Herb seeds generally perform well with winter sowing. Most culinary and medicinal herbs tolerate cold temperatures and germinate reliably once spring arrives.
Herbs suitable for winter sowing include:
- Chamomile
- Chervil
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Herb fennel
- Lavender
- Lemon balm
- Lovage
- Marjoram
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Savory
- Tarragon
- Thyme
Perennial herbs like thyme, oregano, and chives winter sow particularly well. Annual herbs such as cilantro and dill also succeed with this method. If a specific herb is not listed above, it is worth experimenting with winter sowing to see if it works in your climate.
Winter sowing success rates and tips
Personal testing with dozens of seed varieties shows that most seeds winter sown successfully germinate and grow. Winter sowing is especially effective for perennials and plants that are typically difficult to grow from seed indoors or through direct seeding in spring. The natural cold stratification and gradual warming create ideal conditions for strong seedling development.
Seeds that naturally volunteer in gardens are excellent candidates for winter sowing. Plants like echinacea, calendula, and tomatoes often self-seed, demonstrating their ability to germinate after winter exposure. Start with these proven performers before experimenting with less common varieties.
For complete instructions on the winter sowing process, including container preparation and timing, see the winter sowing guide.
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