Got some bare spots in your garden that are bugging you? Spring is the perfect time to give them a little love before the heat of summer kicks in. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite budget-friendly plants that fill in fast and don’t cost a fortune.
Many of these are just a few bucks at the garden center—or even free if you swap or divide with a friend. Some grow so well, gardeners can’t give them away fast enough!
From quick-spreading ground covers to bright, happy annuals, these picks will turn those sad-looking spaces into cheerful garden corners in no time.
1. Marigolds
My grandmother swore by these hardworking flowers, and now I do too. Marigolds grow quickly from seed in just about any soil condition, making them perfect for filling spaces fast.
Their bright orange and yellow blooms last from spring until frost, and they actually help deter garden pests naturally. A single packet of seeds costs around $2 and provides dozens of plants.
Plant them around vegetables or in bare spots for instant color. As a bonus, you can collect seeds at the end of the season for free plants next year!
2. Nasturtiums
Last summer I scattered nasturtium seeds in a barren corner, and within weeks they transformed it into a cascade of color. These fast-growing plants produce round leaves and vibrant flowers in orange, yellow, and red tones.
What many gardeners don’t realize is that both the flowers and leaves are edible with a peppery taste similar to watercress. They grow happily in poor soil—actually blooming better with less fertilizer.
A $3 seed packet yields dozens of plants that spread up to 3 feet each, covering ground quickly while attracting beneficial pollinators.
3. Sweet Alyssum
The honey-like fragrance of sweet alyssum caught me by surprise when I first planted it along my pathway. This low-growing annual creates a carpet of tiny white, purple, or pink flowers that pollinators absolutely love.
Starting at just $3 for a six-pack, alyssum quickly fills gaps between stepping stones or edges of beds. It self-seeds readily, meaning you’ll likely find volunteer plants returning year after year.
For continuous blooms, I give it a quick trim midseason when flowering slows. Within a week, it bounces back with fresh blooms that continue until frost.
4. Cosmos
Tall, airy, and carefree—cosmos became my go-to filler after a landscaper friend tipped me off about their value. From a $2 seed packet, you’ll get dozens of plants that grow to 2-4 feet tall with ferny foliage and daisy-like blooms.
Plant them in sunny spots where you need height and movement. I scatter seeds directly in the garden after frost danger passes, and they bloom within 7 weeks.
Cosmos thrive in average to poor soil and actually bloom more profusely with less fertilizer. Their pink, white, and magenta flowers attract butterflies and provide cut flowers all summer long.
5. Zinnias
When I needed quick color in my front yard last year, zinnias saved the day. From seed to bloom in just 6-8 weeks, these sturdy annuals produce non-stop flowers in nearly every color except blue.
A $3 seed packet yields dozens of plants that thrive in hot, sunny locations where other flowers might struggle. The blooms last for weeks in vases, making them dual-purpose for garden and home.
Plant them in clusters for maximum impact, and deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers. Modern varieties resist mildew problems that plagued older zinnias, making them even more garden-friendly.
6. Sunflowers
Nothing transforms an empty space faster than sunflowers. From a $2 seed packet, I created a stunning privacy screen along my fence in just 8 weeks last summer.
The classic varieties grow 6-8 feet tall, but newer dwarf types stay under 3 feet if height is a concern. Birds love the seeds, making these plants wildlife-friendly additions to any garden.
Plant sunflower seeds directly in the soil after frost danger passes, spacing them about 6 inches apart. For continuous blooms, sow seeds every two weeks until midsummer for a succession of cheerful flowers.
7. Creeping Thyme
The first time I stepped on creeping thyme and smelled its wonderful herbal scent, I was sold. This perennial ground cover costs about $4 per plant but spreads quickly to form a drought-resistant carpet just 2-4 inches tall.
Perfect between stepping stones or as a lawn alternative, creeping thyme stays green most of the year and produces tiny pink or purple flowers that bees adore. It handles light foot traffic and releases more fragrance when brushed against.
Start with just a few plants spaced 12 inches apart—they’ll grow together within a season. Unlike many ground covers, it’s not invasive and stays where you want it.
8. Petunias
After experimenting with countless annuals, I’ve found petunias offer the most color per dollar spent. Garden centers often sell six-packs for $3-4, and each plant spreads up to 3 feet in diameter.
Modern varieties don’t require deadheading and bounce back after rain. The wave types are especially vigorous, cascading over edges and filling spaces quickly with trumpet-shaped blooms in every color imaginable.
Plant them 12 inches apart in sunny spots, and they’ll grow together in weeks. A secret tip: cut back leggy stems by half in midsummer for a fresh flush of flowers that continues until frost.
9. Sedum
During last summer’s drought, my sedums were the only plants that looked happy without watering. These succulent perennials come in varieties from ground-hugging types to 2-foot tall specimens, all sharing incredible drought tolerance.
Starting around $5 per plant, sedums spread reliably each year. The low-growing varieties like ‘Dragon’s Blood’ or ‘Angelina’ quickly fill gaps between rocks or along sunny borders.
Most produce star-shaped flowers that attract butterflies and provide winter interest with their dried seed heads. As a bonus, you can break off a piece, stick it in soil, and it’ll root to create a new plant for free.
10. Lamb’s Ear
The velvety silver leaves of lamb’s ear create a textural focal point in my garden for just $4 per starter plant. This drought-tolerant perennial spreads steadily to form a soft, touchable ground cover that reaches about 12 inches tall.
Kids especially love running their hands over the fuzzy leaves that feel like a stuffed animal. The plant produces purple flower spikes in summer, though many gardeners remove them to focus on the foliage.
Plant lamb’s ear in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil. Once established, you can divide clumps every few years to create free plants for other garden areas.
11. Bachelor’s Buttons
The true-blue color of bachelor’s buttons is surprisingly rare in the garden world, which is why I scatter these seeds anywhere I need a quick filler. From a $2 packet, you’ll get dozens of plants that bloom within 8 weeks of sowing.
Also called cornflowers, these annuals reach 1-3 feet tall and produce blue, pink, or white button-like blooms that last for weeks. They’re perfect for cottage gardens or wildflower areas.
Direct sow the seeds in early spring and thin seedlings to 12 inches apart. They self-seed readily but aren’t invasive, giving you free plants year after year in unexpected spots.
12. Portulaca (Moss Rose)
During a record-breaking heat wave two summers ago, my portulaca was the only annual still flowering. These succulent-leaved plants thrive in hot, dry conditions where other flowers would crisp up and die.
Available for about $3 per six-pack, portulaca spreads to 12-18 inches wide with jewel-toned flowers that open in sunshine and close at night. The low-growing habit makes it perfect for edges, rock gardens, or containers.
Plant in full sun after frost danger passes. No deadheading is needed—they continuously produce new blooms until frost. As a bonus, they often self-seed, providing free plants the following year.
13. Snapdragons
My garden transitions from spring to summer with snapdragons bridging the gap beautifully. These old-fashioned favorites cost about $3-4 for a six-pack and quickly grow to 1-3 feet tall depending on the variety.
The flower spikes come in nearly every color and last for weeks in vases. Plant them in early spring as they prefer cooler temperatures to establish before summer heat arrives.
For the best value, choose the taller varieties that make more visual impact. Cut them back after the first flush of flowers fades, and they’ll often produce a second round of blooms in fall when temperatures cool again.
14. Coleus
When I discovered coleus, I realized flowers aren’t always necessary for dramatic garden impact. These foliage plants start at $3-4 for a six-pack and quickly grow to 1-2 feet tall and wide with minimal care.
The kaleidoscope of leaf colors includes lime green, burgundy, orange, pink, and nearly black—often with contrasting edges or centers. Unlike many colorful plants, coleus thrives in shade to part shade, brightening dark corners of the garden.
Pinch the growing tips regularly to encourage bushiness. Though technically perennials in warm climates, they’re so inexpensive that most gardeners treat them as annuals.
15. Calendula
The cheerful orange and yellow flowers of calendula have earned a permanent spot in my garden rotation. From a $2 seed packet, I get dozens of plants that bloom within 6 weeks of sowing and continue until frost.
Also called pot marigold (though unrelated to true marigolds), calendula has edible petals that can brighten salads or be used in homemade skin care products. The plants reach 12-24 inches tall and have a pleasant, resinous scent.
Direct sow seeds in early spring—they tolerate light frost and cool temperatures better than most annuals. They often self-seed modestly, providing free plants the following year.
16. Dianthus
The spicy clove fragrance of dianthus first caught my attention, but their drought tolerance and long bloom period made them garden staples. Starting at $3-4 for a six-pack, these perennials form tidy mounds 6-12 inches tall with blue-green foliage.
Their fringed flowers in pink, red, or white appear in spring and often rebloom in fall if cut back after the first flush. Some varieties, like ‘Firewitch,’ are intensely fragrant and make excellent edging plants.
Plant dianthus in full sun and well-drained soil—they hate wet feet, especially in winter. Most varieties return for years, making them excellent budget investments.
17. Salvia
After watching hummingbirds fight over my salvias last summer, I doubled my planting this year. These drought-tolerant perennials start around $4-5 per plant but increase in size each year and can be divided to create more plants.
The spiky flowers in shades of blue, purple, red, or white stand tall above aromatic foliage that deer and rabbits avoid. Most varieties reach 18-36 inches tall, creating vertical interest in the middle of garden beds.
Plant salvias in full sun and well-drained soil. Cut spent flower spikes to encourage reblooming throughout summer. Many varieties, like ‘May Night’ or ‘East Friesland,’ return reliably for years.