5 fast-growing tiny flowers – expert recommendations to fill your pots and borders with color in record time

If you are looking to inject some color into your yard this year but are short on time, fear not - these fast-growing tiny flowers are the perfect solution.

Whether you are seeking low-growing ground cover plants or want tall and architectural perennials, you are sure to find a species that works for you and that can grow in record time.

Here, I reveal five fast-growing flowering annuals and perennials that have miniature blooms, with options for different climates and US hardiness zones. So, if you want to add color, texture and detail to your plot this year, growing one or more of these fast-growing tiny flowers is sure to hit the spot.

Best fast-growing tiny flowers

Growing some of the best annual flowers and best perennials is an easy and time-efficient way of filling borders and containers with colorful blooms. As a professional gardener, I have grown all of the following species, and I never fail to enjoy the detail and texture of dainty blooms. And, as a plus, these are all perfect plants for pollinators, with simple, open shapes that allow bees and butterflies to easily access nectar.

1. Sweet alyssum

One of the best plants for hanging baskets, sweet alyssum, or Lobularia maritima, is a quick-growing species. There are many varieties available, including trailing or flowering ground cover plants, with options available in shades of white, pink or purple.

If propagated by seed, it can take less than eight weeks for masses of sweet alyssum flowers to open, which is quick by any standard. Sow twice per year, once in late winter under cover and again outdoors in late spring, which will guarantee season-long tiny flowers.

In general, most gardeners treat sweet alyssum as a part-shade annual, although they will grow well in full sun, too, just be sure to water well during the warmer months.

In southern regions, such as US hardiness zone 8 plus, you may find that sweet alyssum returns the year after, although for most of us in cooler areas, it is best to consider this plant as an annual that will last only until the first frost in fall.

Try this pink 'Royal Carpet' variety, with seeds available to order from Burpee.

2. Verbena

Verbena bonariensis is another fast-growing, self-seeding flower, valued for its pollinator-friendly tiny blooms that last long into fall. Hardy down to zone 7, this plant thrives in sunny, open yards.

If you are growing verbana from seed, be sure to sow early in spring to enjoy flowers in the first year. They should usually bloom from June or July onwards if sown in February, March or April, typically reaching a height of five feet in a single season.

There are also native planting options, too, such as the North American blue vervain, Verbena hastata, which produces tall spikes of miniature purple-blue flowers, ideal for naturalistic or cottage garden aesthetics.

Verbena seeds are available to order from Amazon.

3. Creeping thyme

'Creeping thyme, or Thymus serpyllum, is one of my favorite fast-growing tiny flowers,' says Bert Bast, garden expert and owner of Bast Brothers Garden Center.

As you can see in the image here, creeping thyme produces a carpet of miniature purple-pink blooms, reaching its full size in less than two years. And, I can testify that these are the best flowers that attract bees, typically seen humming with insects in summer.

In terms of how to grow thyme, these herbs 'prefer well-draining soil and are hardy down to zone 5,' Bert continues. 'Just be sure to give them plenty of direct sunlight in order for them to grow fast and thrive.'

Creeping thyme seeds are available to order via Amazon.

Bert Bast

Bert Bast is a garden expert and owner of Bast Brothers Garden Centre. Established in 2014 and nestled in the heart of Mullica Hill, NJ, Bast Brothers Garden Center is a destination for all things garden. 

4. Baby’s breath

If you are planning a cut flower garden this year, then you will want to add baby's breath, or Gypsophila, to your plant wish list.

Baby's breath is prized for its panicles of tiny white or pink flowers, valued by florists and gardeners alike for its delicate, airy touch to borders and bouquets.

If growing from seed, baby's breath typically reaches maturity and begins blooming approximately 50 to 60 days from germination.

Just be sure to wait until May to plant outside to avoid any risk of late frost, and plant them in a full sun position, except in southerly locations where some afternoon shade is ideal.

Baby's breath seeds are available to order from Amazon.

5. Lobelia

If you are seeking summer container planting ideas, lobelia is one of the best fast-growing tiny flowers to grow, typically producing a mass of white, blue or purple blooms for many months.

Lobelia plants are typically considered half-hardy annuals and will not survive the winter months in cool northern climates, such as US hardiness zone 3. However, if you live in a warm spot or have a sheltered yard, you may find they return as a perennial.

Seeds can be sown indoors in winter, usually on the kitchen windowsill or in a heated greenhouse. Or, alternatively, you can usually pick up plug plants from a local store or nursery, which should only be planted outside when the evening temperature does not drop below 60°F (15°C) at night.

Try these 'Crystal Palace' lobelia seeds, available from Burpee, which will produce a profusion of purple blooms come summer.

FAQs

What is the best native plant with small flowers?

For a native plant with small blooms, try growing foam flowers or Tiarella cordifolia. Native to eastern North America, this full-shade perennial can be grown down to zone 3 in darker borders, but what makes it so special is its tiny star-like white blooms that almost appear like clouds or foam - hence the name. Foamflower plants can be found online at Nature Hills.

If you are growing any of these fast-growing tiny flowers in pots, be sure to water and feed them regularly during the warmest months, helping your plants to bloom for as long as possible. For more garden inspiration, see our guide on fast-growing flowering vines, to quickly fill vertical surfaces in your yard with foliage and flowers this year.

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