Start These 9 Flower Seeds in February for a Long‑Lasting Season of Color and Beauty

January is long, but February can feel like an even longer, grayer slog – especially when all you want is sunshine and color. Still, savvy gardeners know it’s prime time to get a head start on those flower seeds that will carry your outdoor spaces through spring, summer and even fall.

Yes, it doesn't really matter which USDA Zone you're in: February is when to get your head in the blooming game. Especially as starting seeds now gives you stronger, earlier plants – you'll be ahead of the game when that elusive last frost date finally arrives.

From annuals that flood your borders with bold hues to perennials that return year after year, these nine flower seeds are perfect for sowing in February, indoors or outdoors as your climate allows. Just be sure to check your frost date first,

That caveat aside, let's get cracking, shall we?

1. Zinnias

Zinnias are some of the easiest, most rewarding annuals you can start from seed. Their cheerful, daisy‑like blooms come in rich reds, pinks, oranges and yellows, and they’re beloved by pollinators (and people, handily).

Sow yours indoors about 4-6 weeks before your last frost and transplant once the soil has warmed. It's easiest if you use biodegradable containers that can be planted directly into the garden later.

You can grab your zinnia seeds from Amazon easily enough.

2. Marigolds

Classic marigolds light up borders and containers alike, and they're such easy flower seeds to start in February. We're especially fond of them as these sunny blooms thrive in full sun and are especially helpful in vegetable gardens, where they can deter pests such as nematodes and beetles.

Start something like Amazon's French marigold seeds indoors now so you can plant them out after frost. Your tomatoes will thank you for it.

3. Geraniums

Geraniums are go‑to summer favorites with vibrant clusters of blooms. While they can be started indoors in February (take care to keep them warm with something like this bottom heat mat from Amazon), many gardeners actually overwinter them as houseplants and tip prune this month just before new growth begins.

Either way, it's all about that long‑lasting color, so grab yourself some Burpee geranium seeds, stat!

4. Rudbeckias

Rudbeckias (or Black-Eyed Susans, if you prefer) deliver bold yellow petals and dark centers – aka quintessential American garden color. As such, pollinatord are absolutely besotted with the things, and they make for a truly buzzing ecosystem.

These native flower seeds can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out after frost, or in warmer zones you can directly sow toward the end of the month. What better reason could there be to buy a multipack of Rudbeckia seed varieties from Amazon, eh?

5. Daisies

Classic and cheerful, daisies are one of those perennials that brings easy breezy charm to borders and cuts alike. Starting the pretty flower seeds indoors this February should give you a head start on spring blooms, and once the danger of frost has passed, they will thrive in full sun and well‑drained soil.

If you can't choose a favorite variety, you're in luck; you can buy five different types of daisy seed on Amazon right now for less than $10. Run, don't walk. Or, y'know, scroll...

6. Poppies

Poppies – whether you opt for vibrant annuals or cool‑season perennials – love cool soil and can be sown this month in flats for transplanting later. Or, if you're confident you're in one of the frost‑free parts of Zones 8-10, you can even plant them outdoors.

Whichever you decide, rest assured that their papery blooms are a garden classic and wonderful in mixed beds. We're big fans of the Burpee Sunset Mixed Colors Poppy Seeds if you're in the mood for truly bold sunshine hues.

7. Coneflowers

The iconic purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a tough, drought‑tolerant native that reward patience with striking blooms. it also, happily, is one of the best plants for pollinators, too.

Sow something like these heirloom coneflower seeds from Amazon indoors now, or wait until the warmer months to plant them outdoors in well‑prepared beds.

We know which we'd pick, especially as starting early gives them a deeper root system ready for spring.

8. Honeywort

For foliage and flower, honeywort (aka cerinthe) is an early‑start favorite. Particularly as, with its blue‑purple bells and silvery foliage, it’s a standout in cut and cottage gardens alike.

Start your flower seeds indoors in February for strong spring plants. Outsidepride's Cerinthe Major Honeywort Seeds should get you on the right track fast.

9. Salvias

If you want long-lasting color and a garden buzzing with life, salvia is hard to beat. These reliable bloomers bring waves of blue, purple, pink, or red to flower beds and borders, and depending on the variety, they’ll flower from early summer right through to the first hard frosts.

That extended blooming period makes salvias especially valuable for late-season pollinators, when nectar sources can start to dwindle. So take care to start their flower seeds in February (or, rather, 8 to 10 weeks before your last expected frost).

A pack of Victoria Blue Sage Seed from Amazon should see you in good stead.

Your Flower Seed Starting Essentials:

If you're starting flower seeds in February, remember that your seedlings will love bright light, so a sunny windowsill or grow light is crucial. And, before you even think about transplanting outdoors, do harden them off – aka gradually acclimatize your seedlings to outdoor conditions.

Honestly, with a little planning this month, your garden will be a riot of color well into fall – and we promise that the satisfaction of nurturing your own blooms will be well worth the TLC you show every February seed tray.