You don’t need a green thumb—or a fancy greenhouse—to grow a little indoor jungle in the Sunshine State. Florida’s warmth and light make it the perfect place to start houseplants right from seed.
With just a few pots, some patience, and the right picks, you can watch your windowsills come to life with color and texture. Here are 10 easy-to-grow houseplants that thrive from seed right inside your Florida home.
1. Spider Plant
With arching leaves that cascade like a green waterfall, spider plants are nearly impossible to kill. Seeds sprout quickly in Florida’s warm indoor temperatures, usually within two weeks if you keep the soil moist.
Place your pot near bright, indirect light and watch as the plant develops its signature striped foliage. Spider plants actually prefer being slightly root-bound, so you won’t need to repot often.
They tolerate Florida’s humidity beautifully and will reward your minimal effort with baby plantlets.
2. Coleus
Imagine a plant that looks like nature’s own stained glass window. Coleus seeds germinate in just one to two weeks when kept warm and moist, making them perfect for impatient gardeners.
Florida’s indoor conditions suit these colorful beauties perfectly since they love warmth and humidity. Your seedlings will develop stunning leaf patterns in shades of pink, red, purple, and green.
Pinch off flower buds to keep the foliage lush and full throughout the growing season.
3. African Violet
Few plants offer such reliable blooms indoors as African violets. Starting from seed takes patience since germination can take three to four weeks, but the fuzzy-leaved beauties are worth the wait.
Keep seeds at room temperature and provide consistent moisture without overwatering. Florida’s naturally humid air helps prevent the dry conditions these plants dislike.
Once established, they’ll bloom multiple times per year with proper care and filtered sunlight.
4. Basil
Nothing beats snipping fresh basil leaves for your pasta sauce right from your kitchen windowsill. Seeds pop up in five to ten days when planted in well-draining soil and given plenty of warmth.
Florida homes provide ideal temperatures for basil, which loves heat and sunshine. Your seedlings will grow into bushy plants that fill your home with their distinctive aroma.
Harvest leaves regularly to encourage more growth and prevent flowering.
5. Impatiens
Bursting with cheerful blooms, impatiens bring garden charm right into your living space. Their seeds need light to germinate, so simply press them onto moist soil without covering them completely.
Within two weeks, tiny seedlings will emerge and grow into flowering powerhouses. Florida’s humidity keeps these moisture-loving plants happy without constant misting.
They thrive in filtered light, making them perfect for rooms without direct sun exposure.
6. Cilantro
Fresh salsa tastes better with homegrown cilantro adding its distinctive flavor. Seeds germinate within seven to ten days when kept consistently moist and warm.
Your Florida kitchen provides the perfect environment since cilantro appreciates warmth but not intense heat. The feathery leaves grow quickly, giving you harvestable herbs within weeks of planting.
Successive planting every few weeks ensures you’ll always have fresh cilantro available for cooking adventures.
7. Begonia
Did you know begonia seeds are among the tiniest in the plant kingdom? Mix them with sand for easier sowing, and keep the soil surface moist for the two to three weeks needed for germination.
Once sprouted, these elegant plants develop waxy leaves and produce abundant flowers. Florida’s warm indoor temperatures encourage steady growth without special equipment.
Begonias appreciate the state’s natural humidity, reducing the need for extra moisture in the air.
8. Marigold
Sunshine in a pot describes marigolds perfectly with their golden blooms brightening any room. Seeds sprout reliably within five to seven days when planted in warm, moist soil.
Florida’s abundant natural light gives indoor marigolds the energy they need to produce continuous flowers. Their cheerful presence adds instant happiness to kitchens, sunrooms, or any bright corner.
Deadhead spent blooms regularly to keep new flowers coming throughout the growing season.
9. Mint
Mojitos and fresh tea become reality when you grow mint on your counter. Seeds germinate within ten to fifteen days, though mint can be slow to start initially.
Once established, Florida’s warmth encourages vigorous growth that might actually need controlling. The aromatic leaves release their refreshing scent whenever you brush against them.
Harvest stems frequently to promote bushier growth and prevent your mint from becoming leggy or sparse.
10. Zinnia
Cheerful and carefree, zinnias bring cottage garden charm indoors with minimal fuss. Their large seeds are easy to handle and sprout within four to seven days in warm conditions.
Florida’s bright indoor spaces provide the strong light zinnias crave for producing their vibrant blooms. Seedlings grow rapidly into sturdy plants covered with flowers in every color imaginable.
Regular watering and occasional deadheading keep these happy bloomers performing beautifully for months.