No-Fail Winter Sowing: 15 Easy Seeds to Try
Save space indoors and winter sow seeds outside! All you need to start are cold-tolerant seeds, old containers, and potting soil. Seasoned grower Jerad Bryant shares the 15 easiest plants to winter sow for the first time.

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Why winter sow instead of direct sowing or starting seeds indoors? While indoor seed starting and direct sowing have their use cases, they aren’t the best methods for growing cold weather-loving crops. Winter sowing combines the best of both methods.
Your seedlings will enjoy the cold weather of the outdoors and have protection from snow storms, extreme frosts, and ice storms. They’ll germinate when the climate is most suitable for optimal growth. You’ll have healthy seedlings without having to work too hard!
The best plants to sow in winter are perennials, native plants, cold-tolerant crops, and frost-tolerant ornamentals. Look for these words on seed packets; they indicate that the plants will sow well in winter.
How to Winter Sow

Before we discover the easiest plants to sow, let’s break down the planting process! It starts with the right materials. You’ll need containers to hold soil and seeds. Milk jugs are the most common ones, though you can repurpose any containers you have at home. Yogurt, sour cream, and takeout containers also work well.
This is how to transform milk jugs, though you can modify the process for whichever container you’re using:
- Cut the jugs in half, leaving the handle side attached.
- Create drainage holes in the bottom. Use a glueless hot glue gun to burn small holes, or try a sharp knife or a drill.
- Put dirt inside the jug, and plant your seeds on top.
- Add water so the dirt is moist, not soggy.
- Place the top half of the jug back on, and duct tape it down. Remove the jug’s cap on top to let air and water flow through.
- Label the jug, then place it in partial shade outdoors during the winter.
And that’s all there is to it! The container creates a mini-greenhouse that encourages germination. Once the seeds sprout, you’ll remove them from the jug and transplant them into your garden.
15 Easy Seeds to Try
We’re ready to pick our favorite seeds now that we know how to winter sow. Whether you like native plants, vegetables, or flowers, there are options on this list for you. Without further ado, here are the 15 easiest seeds to try winter sowing with.
Asparagus

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botanical name Asparagus officinalis |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 3-5’ |
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hardiness zones 2-9 |
Most growers sprout asparagus from crowns. Crowns are pre-grown rootstocks that transplant easily into gardens. You’ll have harvestable asparagus shoots in a year or two rather than three to five years. If crowns are easier, then why grow seeds?
Asparagus seeds are cheaper than crowns and more cost-effective for planting in large spaces. Sow a few dozen in mini-greenhouse milk jugs, and transplant the sprouts throughout the garden after they germinate.
Sow asparagus seeds in containers from December through February. They need at least three weeks to germinate, and they begin sprouting once soil temperatures stay above 50ºF (10ºC). Growers in warm zone 9 should direct sow seeds during the coolest months of the year.
Brussels Sprouts

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botanical name Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 2-4’ |
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hardiness zones 2-11 |
Brussels sprouts are unique vegetables with interesting structures. Tiny bunches of cabbage-like leaves sprout off long, slender stalks with strappy foliage on top.
Brussels sprouts belong to the Brassica genus. This genus includes our favorite cold-loving vegetables called cole crops. Cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli are all close relatives. While Brussels sprouts are one of the more cold-tolerant cole crops and perfect for sowing in winter, you may do so with any cole crop.
This leafy vegetable needs a long growing season of three to four months and prefers maturing under chilly weather. Sow seeds early for the best results, planting them months before your last average frost date. If you have a short, cool season, consider growing a quick maturing variety like ‘Silvia.’
Blazing Star

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botanical name Liatris spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-5’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Native perennials are must-have plants in the flower garden. They bloom year after year with little maintenance, and their flowers feed local pollinators with nectar and pollen. Blazing stars are a favorite; they produce large flowering spikes with purple, white, or pink hues.
Blazing stars form corms underground that propagate new plants easily. Although corms are the most sure way of propagating, you may also sow seeds in jugs or containers during winter. Blazing star seeds need cold stratification for four to six weeks; plant seeds in winter for early spring germination.
California Poppy

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botanical name Eschscholzia californica |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 6-24” |
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hardiness zones 6-10 |
California poppies are gorgeous low-growing wildflowers that excel on the West Coast. They’re slightly cold-tolerant, growing as perennials from USDA hardiness zones 6 through 10. Winter sow them and they’ll sprout earlier than direct plantings.
California poppy seeds germinate once temperatures reach between 50-60ºF (10-16ºC). Separate the seedlings and transplant them, leaving at least four inches of space between each one.
Nowadays, dozens of unique California poppy cultivars exist with new colors, shapes, and structures. Opt for the classic species for the hardiest type, or choose a funky new variety like ‘Mikado.’ It has blooms with orange centers and red petals that attract pollinators by the dozens.
Columbine

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botanical name Aquilegia spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-3’ |
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hardiness zones 3-8 |
Columbines are native perennials like California poppies and blazing stars. Numerous species thrive across North America. As columbines are incredibly popular, many plant breeders combine pollen and ovules from different species to form new, exciting hybrids.
Whether you’re growing hybrids or native species, using mini-greenhouses to start seeds is a perfect method for columbines. They have cold stratification requirements; seeds need three to four weeks of cold temperatures before they germinate successfully. Sow seeds months before your last frost, and you’ll have ready seedlings in time for spring!
Colorado gardeners should try growing the state flower, the Rocky Mountain blue columbine. It sports lovely blue-lavender blossoms with white inner petals. If you’re looking for colorful specimens, try the ‘McKana Giants Blend’ for a mix of large flowered, multi-color specimens.
Johnny-Jump-Up

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botanical name Viola tricolor |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 3-12” |
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hardiness zones 3-10 |
These European wildflowers are avid self-seeders. Johnny-jump-ups sprout perennially in zones 3 through 10. After successful pollination, they’ll sow seeds at the end of the growing season. They’ll quickly cover bare soil in sunny or shady sites, providing gorgeous blossoms that are edible! Use them in salads, charcuterie boards, or sandwiches.
Johnny-jump-ups don’t require cold stratification to germinate, though they appreciate frosty conditions while they sprout. If you have long, hot summers, treat them as annuals during fall and early spring. Then, collect seeds as the plants fade away so you can grow them next year.
Kale

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botanical name Brassica oleracea var. sabellica |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 2-4’ |
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hardiness zones 2-11 |
Kale refers to a few dozen leafy greens in the Brassica genus. They’re exceptionally frost-hardy, providing nutritious, edible greens throughout the winter in zones 2 through 11. Kale may also survive frosty winters in cold zones 6 and below, though it grows best as an annual during spring or fall.
Unlike spinach and lettuce, this leafy green resists frosts, high winds, and insect pests. It won’t perform well under the summer’s heat. This is why sowing the seeds in jugs is an expert way to grow kale. The seedlings sprout when they’re ready, maturing into adult plants quicker than if you transplanted or direct sowed them.
I have two favorite kale types, though yours may be different! Grow whichever type you’ll enjoy eating. Try ‘Lacinato’ for scaly-textured leaves and incredible frost tolerance. Try ‘Red Russian’ if you prefer colorful leaves; they have red veins that stand out in the winter garden.
Lavender

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botanical name Lavandula spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-3’ |
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hardiness zones 5-9 |
Most garden centers sell potted lavender plants, but you can grow these plants from seeds! They’re good candidates for this method because they like cold stratification. They’ll appreciate four to six weeks of winter weather before spring warmth arrives.
To start lavender, sow seeds in enclosed containers a few months before your last frost. Keep the soil moist, not soggy, and ensure the seeds have access to bright light. These seedlings require extreme patience! They’ll take between 15 and 90 days to emerge after planting.
Lettuce

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botanical name Lactuca sativa |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 6-12” |
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hardiness zones 2-11 |
Lettuce prefers sprouting while the weather is mild and chilly. It’s fast-growing, easy to cultivate, and survives transplanting well. I like to direct sow and winter sow lettuce seeds. That way, if the direct sowings fail, I have backup plants to put in their place.
When choosing lettuce cultivars, opt for ones that thrive under cold rather than heat. They’ll perform better in winter, sprouting ruffly leaves while frosts still occur. Varieties like ‘Ice Queen’ excel while chilliness is common. You’ll harvest delicious, crunchy leaves when not much else grows outdoors!
Sow lettuce seeds when you plant other early crops like arugula, parsley, and leeks. They perform well inside containers, and they’ll sprout as days begin lengthening in early spring. Take care when transplanting the tender seedlings, as their small root systems are sensitive to disturbance.
Milkweed

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botanical name Asclepias spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 2-6’ |
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hardiness zones 3-10 |
Milkweeds are essential for butterfly gardens. Butterflies feed on the nectar the flowers provide, then they lay eggs on the leaves. The eggs hatch into larvae that feed on the green leaves before turning into butterflies.
The best milkweeds to cultivate will naturally grow wild in your local region. Try showy or narrowleaf milkweed near the West Coast, and opt for butterfly weed or common milkweed in the central and eastern regions of the U.S.
Milkweed seeds require cold stratification to germinate. They’ll undergo it naturally while inside their containers outdoors. They benefit from three weeks of near-freezing temperatures, though some varieties may need more.
Penstemon

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botanical name Penstemon spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-4’ |
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hardiness zones 5-8 |
Penstemons come in all shapes and sizes! Most are native to the U.S., growing underneath tree canopies, in meadows, and on the sides of mountains. They’re a diverse group of plants with spectacular flowers—long, slender spikes emerge with tubular blooms.
The native penstemons are the best species to winter sow, though you can also plant cold-hardy hybrids from seed retailers and garden centers. Each type varies in its cold hardiness; consult the seed packet for information on what your chosen variety prefers.
Rosemary

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botanical name Salvia rosmarinus |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 4-5’ |
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hardiness zones 8-10 |
Herbalists, home chefs, and warm climate gardeners should all have a rosemary bush in their garden. This heat-tolerant plant originates from the Mediterranean regions, where it grows on coastal hillsides. It excels despite salty sea spray, dry conditions, and high heat.
Though it shines in summer, this plant is a perfect candidate for planting in the middle of winter. Rosemary seeds are slow to germinate, and they appreciate the extra time that winter sowing allots. Keep their soil moist, place them under partial shade, and have patience! They’ll take between 15 and 30 days to sprout.
Sweet Violet

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botanical name Viola odorata |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 4-6” |
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hardiness zones 4-9 |
Sweet violets are essential perennials in the cottage garden! They’re low-growing spreaders with fragrant purple blooms. The blooms are edible, blending well in vinegar infusions, sugary drinks, and desserts. The leaves are also edible, working like spinach, either fresh or cooked in recipes.
Like lavender, sweet violets appreciate a winter chill period before germinating. Grant them at least four weeks of cold stratification and sow them during mid-winter instead of spring. Transplant them a month before the last frost while conditions are cool, wet, and frosty.
Swiss Chard

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botanical name Beta vulgaris var. cicla |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-2’ |
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hardiness zones 2-11 |
Swiss chard, like kale, often survives harsh winters. It’s a biennial leafy green. Cultivars grow long, strappy leaves with red, orange, white, pink, or yellow stems and veins. Choose your favorite color, or opt for a blend with all five!
Indoor plantings of Swiss chard tend to bolt or struggle to adapt after transplanting. They excel with the winter sowing method, as they appreciate cool, frosty conditions while sprouting. Transplant mature seedlings into the garden two weeks before your last frost date.
Yarrow

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botanical name Achillea millefolium |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 1-3’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Rounding out this list is an essential wildflower for pollinator gardens. Yarrow grows large flowers that look like landing pads for bumblebees! Each pad contains dozens of tiny flowers that offer pollen to hungry pollinators.
Whether you like yellow, red, pink, or white flowers, there are yarrow cultivars for you and your garden. Opt for the species type for a traditional white yarrow flower, or choose a mix with many colors like ‘Colorado Blend.’ Yarrow appreciates a one-month chill period before sprouting, so the earlier you plant it, the better it will grow!