Fall isn’t usually the season we associate with planting, but you should never waste good sunshine! Luckily, there are plenty of stunning native flowers to sow in October before the sun beds down in cloud blankets until spring.
Yes, from hardy annuals to perennials, now is the time to direct-sow certain native flowers. Why? Because that period of cold stratification over the winter is perfect for helping them germinate naturally in spring, especially if you’re based in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-8. (In the Deep South, you may be better off starting seeds indoors).
The best thing about all of this is that you won’t have to spend a dime on trays or lights; you just need to start planting seeds. Here, then, are our pick of the best native flowers to sow in October for pops of color come spring and summer…
1. Cardinal Flower
The big, bold cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is one of our favorite native flowers to sow in October, as its brilliant scarlet spikes don’t just add drama to our backyards; they are beloved by hummingbirds and other pollinators, too.
They grow throughout USDA zones 3 to 9, are happy in moist conditions (so long as they get lots of sunshine), and are easy to plant. Simply scatter a packet of Amazon’s 200+Perennial Red Cardinal Flower Seeds for natural germination, and await the showy display.
2. Coneflower
If you want a native flower to sow in October that well and truly delivers on all fronts, go for the easy-to-grow purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). This prairie plant can be found growing throughout a wide swath of USDA growing zones 4 to 9, and its deep roots mean it’s incredibly low-maintenance once established.
You can pick up a bag of over 2,300 NatureZ Edge Purple Coneflower Seeds on Amazon, which means you can sow plenty now in full sun. The birds will thank you for those tasty seedheads come next winter.
3. Foxglove Beardtongue
Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) is another brilliant native flower to sow in October, adding elegance and height to cottage gardens and modern yards alike. They’re popular with butterflies and other beneficial insects, too, making them a must for anyone who wants to do their bit for local wildlife.
Found growing right here in USDA growing zone 3 through 8, if you plant a packet of Country Creek Acre's Foxglove Beardtongue Seeds, from Amazon, now, you can expect tall spires of white blooms to appear in early summer.
4. Blue Vervain
If you want your garden to buzz with bees and butterflies, you can’t go wrong with blue vervain (Verbena hastata). These native, biennial flowers thrive throughout zones 3-8, promising slender spikes of violet-blue blooms for very little effort.
Sow something like Everwilde Farms’ 2000 Blue Vervain Native Wildflower Seeds from Amazon, but be sure to do so in moist soil; there’s a reason people use this one in ditches and along pond edges. Just take care to deadhead regularly, as it can prove a little overzealous (some might say ‘thuggish’) with its self-seeding abilities…
5. Black-Eyed Susan
One of the most popular native flowers to sow in October, black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) is basically a ray of sunshine in petal form! These prairie daisies are tough, adaptable, and brilliant for pollinators. Better still, they bloom for ages – from summer through fall.
You can bulk buy NatureZ Edge Black Eyed Susan Seeds for Planting via Amazon, which means you can fill your borders and hard-to-mow areas without spending a fortune. Just remember, while they can handle poor, rocky, sandy, and less-than-optimal conditions, they love lots of sunshine and well-draining soil when they can get it.
6. Swamp Milkweed
The swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a perennial that’s absolutely essential for monarch butterflies, making it a no-brainer addition to anyone’s list of favorite native flowers to sow in October.
Thriving in full sun and moist conditions, this one is hardy throughout USDA growing zones 3 to 6. Plant Outsidepride's Swamp Milkweed Seeds, from Amazon, now for clusters of pink, mauve, and white blooms later.
Added bonus? This one smells exactly like spiced honey, so it’ll add an extra sensory dimension to your garden.
7. Bee Balm
Also known as wild bergamot, bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) is one of those native flowers to sow in October that gives you some serious bang for your buck; think showy pompoms of lavender, pink, or white flowers and aromatic leaves which can be used to make mint tea.
Beloved by bumble bees, this one typically thrives in zones 3 to 8. Pick up a packet of TKE Farms & Gardens’ Wild Bergamot Bee Balm Seeds from Amazon, and you’re guaranteed edible blooms and a thriving ecosystem come next year.
8. Common Blanket Flower
Last but by no means least on our list of native flowers to sow in October is the common blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata). Drought-tolerant and long-flowering, this prairie native brings fiery red-and-gold daisies in USDA zones 3-10.
They should bloom happily from summer until fall, which will please butterflies and bees alike (this one is very popular with pollinators). Pick up a packet of Sow Right Seeds Blanket Flower Seeds for Planting from Amazon and start scattering; you’ll find this one tolerates even poor soil conditions.
And just like that, you know which native flowers to sow in October for effortless color and happy pollinators in the year ahead. Happy planting!
