Think it’s too late to plant flowers in July? Not even close. There are plenty of fast-growing bloomers that thrive in the summer heat and still have time to show off before fall.
These 19 gorgeous flowers grow quickly, add vibrant color, and will reward you with blooms in the same season—no waiting required.
1. Sunflowers
Nothing says summer quite like the cheerful faces of sunflowers reaching for the sky. These sunny superstars can grow an impressive 6 inches per week in ideal conditions!
Plant seeds directly in well-drained soil where they’ll receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically occurs within 7-10 days.
For quick blooms, choose shorter varieties like ‘Teddy Bear’ or ‘Sunspot’ that mature in just 60 days.
2. Zinnias
Vibrant zinnias transform from seed to bloom in record time, often flowering within 4-7 weeks after planting. Their daisy-like blossoms come in nearly every color imaginable except true blue.
Simply scatter seeds in a sunny spot with average soil, cover lightly, and water gently. These heat-loving annuals actually prefer the hot July temperatures and will grow faster than in cooler months.
For maximum impact, plant in clusters rather than rows and choose varieties like ‘Profusion’ or ‘Zahara’ for speediest results.
3. Cosmos
Feathery-leaved cosmos sprint from seed to flower in approximately 50-60 days, making them perfect for July planting. Their delicate, daisy-like blooms dance above lacy foliage, creating movement in any garden space.
Cosmos actually prefer poor soil conditions – too much fertilizer produces leggy plants with fewer flowers. Sow seeds directly where you want them to grow, as they dislike transplanting.
The ‘Sonata’ series grows quickly to about 2 feet tall, while ‘Sensation’ varieties can reach 4-5 feet in mere weeks.
4. Morning Glories
Morning glories live up to their ambitious name by racing upward at astonishing speeds. These vigorous climbers can grow several inches daily once established, quickly covering trellises, fences, or arbors with heart-shaped leaves.
To jumpstart growth, nick seeds and soak overnight before planting. The trumpet-shaped flowers unfurl each morning in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white, closing by afternoon.
For fastest results, choose the ‘Heavenly Blue’ variety, which can climb 10-15 feet in a single season with minimal care.
5. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums burst from large, easy-to-handle seeds to flowering plants in just 35-52 days. Their circular leaves and bright, spicy-scented blooms make them both ornamental and edible – add the peppery flowers and leaves to summer salads!
Unlike many flowers, nasturtiums actually bloom more profusely in poor soil. Rich soil produces lush foliage but fewer flowers, so skip the fertilizer for best results.
Choose trailing varieties like ‘Jewel Mix’ for hanging baskets or compact types like ‘Alaska’ for borders and containers.
6. Marigolds
Marigolds bring instant sunshine to gardens with their golden, orange, and russet blooms appearing just 8 weeks from seed. Beyond their beauty, these workhorse flowers naturally repel many garden pests while attracting beneficial pollinators.
French marigolds (Tagetes patula) grow fastest, reaching 6-12 inches tall. Their African cousins (Tagetes erecta) take slightly longer but produce larger, showier flowers up to 5 inches across.
Plant in full sun and average soil, spacing 8-10 inches apart for proper air circulation that prevents powdery mildew in July’s humidity.
7. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum creates a fragrant carpet of tiny blooms in just 6-8 weeks from seed. The honey-scented flowers attract beneficial insects while softening garden edges and spilling beautifully from containers.
Despite its delicate appearance, alyssum handles July’s heat remarkably well. For continuous blooming through summer, give plants a quick “haircut” by trimming back by one-third when flowering slows.
Modern varieties like ‘Snow Princess’ and ‘Knight’ series offer improved heat tolerance, blooming vigorously even during the hottest days of summer.
8. Portulaca (Moss Rose)
Portulaca thrives where other flowers fail, converting July’s blazing sun into spectacular blooms within 4-6 weeks of planting. These succulents store water in their fleshy leaves, making them incredibly drought-resistant once established.
The rose-like flowers in electric pinks, oranges, yellows and reds open in sunshine and close on cloudy days or at night. For best results, plant in poor, well-draining soil and water sparingly.
Modern hybrids like the ‘Sundial’ series offer fuller flowers that stay open longer than older varieties.
9. Celosia
Celosia transforms July gardens with its uniquely textured blooms that resemble flames, plumes, or brain coral depending on the variety. From seed to spectacular happens in just 60-90 days with minimal effort.
The ‘Fresh Look’ series grows particularly quickly, producing bright plumes in gold, red, or pink atop 12-16 inch plants. For truly rapid results, start with nursery seedlings instead of seeds.
Plant in full sun and average, well-draining soil. Celosia actually grows faster and produces more vivid colors during July’s heat than in cooler months.
10. Bachelor’s Buttons
Bachelor’s buttons (Centaurea cyanus) produce their papery, blue blooms just 7-8 weeks after planting seeds. The fringed flowers have a charming, slightly rumpled appearance that adds informal cottage garden appeal.
These European natives actually prefer cooler weather but will germinate and grow surprisingly fast when planted in July, especially in areas with moderate summer temperatures. For continuous blooms, deadhead spent flowers regularly.
Modern varieties offer pink, white, and purple options beyond the classic blue, all growing to about 30 inches tall with minimal care.
11. California Poppies
California poppies unfurl their silky, cup-shaped blooms just 55-75 days after planting. These native wildflowers have finely divided, blue-green foliage that provides beautiful contrast to the vibrant orange, yellow, or pink flowers.
Unlike many flowers, California poppies prefer poor, well-draining soil and actually bloom more profusely with minimal water. The flowers close at night or on cloudy days, reopening when the sun appears.
For fastest results, scatter seeds where you want them to grow – they dislike transplanting and grow most quickly when sown directly.
12. Four O’Clocks
Four o’clocks earned their name from their punctual blooming habit, opening fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers in late afternoon. From seed to first bloom takes approximately 50-75 days, with plants growing vigorously in July’s warmth.
The tuberous roots store energy, allowing plants to reach 2-3 feet tall surprisingly quickly. Each bushy plant produces dozens of flowers in magenta, yellow, white, or marbled combinations that release a sweet vanilla-like scent at dusk.
Plant in average soil where they’ll receive afternoon sun for fastest growth and most abundant flowering.
13. Dwarf Sunflowers
Dwarf sunflowers deliver the iconic sunflower look in record time, often blooming just 50-60 days after planting. Unlike their towering relatives, these compact varieties typically reach only 1-3 feet tall, making them perfect for borders and containers.
‘Teddy Bear’ produces fluffy, fully double blooms, while ‘Sunny Smile’ offers classic yellow petals with dark centers on plants barely a foot tall. Both germinate quickly and thrive in July’s heat.
For a continuous display, plant new seeds every two weeks through early July for blooms until frost.
14. Calendula
Calendula’s daisy-like blooms in sunny yellow and orange appear just 45-60 days after planting seeds. Also called pot marigold (though unrelated to true marigolds), these edible flowers have been used medicinally for centuries.
The ‘Pacific Beauty’ mix grows particularly quickly in July’s long daylight hours. For best results, plant in moderately fertile soil with good drainage where they’ll receive morning sun but some afternoon shade in hot climates.
Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming and prevents self-seeding, keeping plants focused on producing more flowers rather than seeds.
15. Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
Nigella charms gardens with its intricate blue, pink, or white blooms nestled in feathery foliage. From seed to flower takes just 65-75 days, with the unusual blooms followed by decorative seed pods perfect for dried arrangements.
The lacy, thread-like leaves create a misty effect around the flowers, explaining the plant’s romantic common name. Direct sow seeds where you want them to grow, as nigella dislikes transplanting.
For continuous blooms, make successive plantings every 2-3 weeks through early July. The ‘Miss Jekyll’ variety offers particularly fast growth and abundant flowering.
16. Annual Phlox
Annual phlox (Phlox drummondii) creates a colorful carpet of star-shaped blooms just 50-60 days after planting. Unlike its perennial cousin, annual phlox grows quickly from seed and flowers abundantly its first season.
The ‘Twinkle Star’ mix offers particularly rapid growth with flowers in vibrant pinks, purples, and whites, each marked with a contrasting star pattern. Plants reach 6-10 inches tall, making them perfect for borders and containers.
For best results, plant in well-draining soil where they’ll receive morning sun but some afternoon shade in hot regions.
17. Petunias
While many gardeners buy petunia plants, growing these colorful trumpets from seed offers budget-friendly garden filling in about 70-80 days. Modern varieties like the ‘Wave’ series spread rapidly, with each plant covering up to 4 square feet by summer’s end.
For fastest results, choose ‘Easy Wave’ or ‘Tidal Wave’ types that grow quickly even in July’s heat. These vigorous plants bloom continuously without deadheading, saving time and effort.
Plant in full sun and fertile, well-draining soil. Water at the base rather than overhead to prevent powdery mildew issues during humid July weather.
18. Verbena
Annual verbena races from seed to flower in approximately 75-90 days, creating mounds of color that attract butterflies by the dozen. The tiny, clustered blooms appear in vibrant purples, pinks, reds, and whites atop sprawling stems.
The ‘Quartz’ series grows particularly quickly from seed, while ‘Imagination’ verbena offers exceptional heat tolerance for July planting. Both produce abundant flowers on plants reaching 8-12 inches tall but spreading up to 24 inches wide.
Plant in full sun and well-draining soil, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings for best growth and flowering.
19. Amaranthus
Amaranthus creates dramatic vertical interest with its unusual flower plumes in just 75-90 days from seed. Varieties like ‘Love-Lies-Bleeding’ produce spectacular crimson tassels that can dangle 2 feet long, while ‘Hot Biscuits’ offers warm copper-orange plumes.
These ancient grains were once staple foods of the Aztecs and Incas. The seeds remain edible, and young leaves can be cooked like spinach. For fastest growth, plant in full sun and average soil.
Amaranthus actually grows more quickly and vigorously during July’s heat than in cooler months, making it perfect for mid-summer planting.