19 Fast-Growing Plants to Grow with Kids

The garden is a fabulous place to teach children about a myriad of scientific processes. From etymology to biology to genetics, working in the garden is a great introduction to topics they will one day need to understand. When it comes to keeping my kids’ attention, things have to progress pretty fast, so fast-growing plants are a must. 

When they’re young, all that’s needed to get many little ones out in the garden is a promise of mud pies and fireflies. But as they start to get older, they’re naturally less inclined to make-believe. Our kids increasingly live in a fast-paced world where every finished product is just a Google search away. 

Bamboo can be invasive if you plant the wrong kind. It’s important to plant clumping bamboo unless you want an entire forest of it in less than a decade. ‘RG Dwarf’ is a compact variety that reaches about 18 feet tall. The growth rate is fast and perceptible over a one to three-month period. 

‘RG Dwarf’ is only hardy in Zones 8-10, but there are varieties of bamboo that will grow as far north as Zone 4. You can plant this one in a large container and keep it smaller if you want to bring it indoors for the winter. 

French Marigolds ‘Red Metamorph’

	botanical name Tagetes patula ‘Red Metamorph’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-36”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Marigolds are fantastic little plants. Their flowers are so intricate and pretty. They are also fast growers, going from seed to flower in right around eight weeks. Native to Mexico, these flowers play a central role in the celebration of Dia de los Muertos, a lovely holiday that honors relatives who have passed. 

There are so many interesting conversations that can take place over these delightful warm-colored blooms. Marigolds repel many garden pests, and they have edible flowers that hold their color when heated. They are great for decorating baked goods. 

I’m particularly fond of French marigolds, which are also native to Mexico. They are smaller and bloom faster than the larger African type. ‘Red Metamorph’ is a taller growing variety that produces single-petal form flowers, which is a unique trait. 

Carrots ‘Atomic Red’

	botanical name Daucus carota ‘Atomic Red’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8”-10”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Growing carrots is like having a sweet secret with your gardening helpers. They will love to see how fast the fern-like tops sprout and grow. The real magic is what happens beneath the soil, though. 

Cosmos ‘Candystripe’

	botanical name Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Candystripe’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-6’
	hardiness zones 2-11

I adore growing cosmos in my cutting garden. Cutting gardens, by the way, are a wonderful way to get kids to enjoy gardening. We spend so much time telling them not to pick the flowers so an entire patch designed for picking is thrilling to big and little kids. 

Back to the cosmos! These delicate flowers bloom from 60-90 days after you sow the seeds. You can directly sow them in the soil. Seeds typically have a high germination rate this way. The flowers are just so pretty and colorful that they are hard to resist. 

‘Candystripe’ is a whimsical, bi-colored variety. The petals are white with a fine, bright pink margin. When your cosmos bloom, let kids take a photo and zoom in on the center of the flower. They’ll be seeing stars!

Sunflowers ‘Teddy Bear’

	botanical name Helianthus annuus ‘Teddy Bear’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-36”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Kids love sunflowers. The very large ones can take a while to bloom, but dwarf varieties like ‘Teddy Bear’ only take about two months. These kid-sized plants are branching and continue to produce smaller blooms after the initial primary flower. 

Sunflowers are great for pollinators, and their seeds sprout quickly. The sprouts are large, and if you feel so inclined, you can grow some as microgreens. Sunflower shoots are very nutritious. 

Let the spent flowers dry on the stalk and harvest the seeds. You can plant them next year, roast them for a snack, or sprinkle them in the garden for birds to eat. 

Cucumbers ‘Quick Snack’

	botanical name Cucumis sativa ‘Quick Snack’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20”-24”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Cucumbers are so refreshing and crunchy. Whether your kids like them raw or pickled, there is no denying the appeal of cukes. Cucumber plants, in general, are fast growers and producers. I’ve found them to be more pest-resistant than many vegetables. 

‘Quick Snack’ might be the fastest of them all. From seed, your kids will be able to harvest tiny cucumbers from these fast-growing plants in as little as 40 days. They are self-fertile, so you can grow these indoors for seedless fruits. A sunny windowsill and rich soil will get these growing in no time. 

Watermelon Radishes ‘Mantanghong’

	botanical name Raphanus sativus ‘Mantanghong’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1′
	hardiness zones 2-11

Radishes are fast growers that are best planted in the fall. Fall is my favorite time in the garden here in zone 9, as the weather is delightful, and the soil is warm and moist, which speeds germination. The cooling temperatures encourage root growth in radishes, so plant these when school goes back for a healthy snack around October. 

Watermelon radishes are super fun for kids. Anything that looks like watermelon is attractive to mine, anyway. Although they aren’t as sweet as they may look, watermelon radishes do have a mild, sweet flavor compared with other radishes. 

‘Mantanghong’ is very popular—say that name three times fast! Like carrots, the fun of radishes is in digging them up. Cut open these smooth, white globes to reveal a bright pink interior. 

Snap Peas ‘Cascadia’

	botanical name Pisum sativum ‘Cascadia’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2′-3′
	hardiness zones 2-11

Snap peas are delicious! They are tasty straight off the vine or tossed in your favorite stir-fry. These are another plant that virtually grows overnight. Little ones will want to check on their pea plants regularly to see the delicate and lovely vines reaching upward. 

Peas are nitrogen-fixing, so they enrich the soil for future plants. They do this by gathering nitrogen from the air and sending it down to its roots, where it leaves some behind in the soil. Make sure to teach children about this process as an introduction to cover cropping. 

Snap peas also produce pretty, fragrant flowers. ‘Cascadia’ has white blooms and curling tendrils that will hold onto a trellis. The pods are thick and very flavorful. 

Zinnias ‘Persian Carpet’

	botanical name Zinnia haageana ‘Persian Carpet’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-16”
	hardiness zones 2-11

I never get tired of zinnias. They grow very quickly and produce long-lasting, vibrant flowers. Pollinators flock to them, and they have a nice, long vase life. I’m a fan of any flower that self-sows, too. 

All zinnias grow fast and bloom early. ‘Persian Carpet’ is a low-growing variety that flowers even faster than usual. It has a unique habit of producing flowers with varying coloration on the same plant. 

Zinnias grow bushy when you pinch them early on. They are great for teaching this practice. Kids can enjoy pinching the tops and returning in a week to see how the fast-growing plant responds by sending out two branches in their place. 

Nasturtium ‘Peach Melba’

	botanical name Tropaeolum majus ‘Peach Melba’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10”-14”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Nasturtiums are so cheerful with their soft, brightly colored flowers and leaves that resemble tiny lily pads. They have an enchanted feeling that makes me think of fairies and talking toads in the garden. 

All parts of nasturtium plants are edible. The rounded leaves have a peppery flavor, and the flowers share a touch of the same. They are a great addition to salads and garnish for tea party plates. 

‘Peach Melba’ is a bicolor variety, and it’s as charming as it sounds. Sweet peach blossoms have streaks of deep orange toward the center. They look lovely worked into a container arrangement, and they make great companions in the vegetable garden. 

Lacinato Kale ‘Dinosaur’

	botanical name Brassica oleracea ‘Dinosaur’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-48”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Leafy greens are all great for growing with kids. While kale might not be every kid’s favorite food, it’s fun to grow, and you can harvest it again and again! Harvest those young, tender leaves and toss them in a smoothie, an easy way to get little to eat their greens. 

‘Dinosaur’ is also known by the name black Tuscan kale. It’s a strong, vigorous grower with heavy texture and dark green leaves. As they age, they become more textured and resemble what I would imagine dinosaur skin might look like. The young leaves can be ready to harvest after a mere three weeks.

Basil ‘Purple Petra’

	botanical name Ocimum basilicum ‘Purple Petra’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 24”
	hardiness zones 2-11

My middle child loves to help in the kitchen. Sending her to cut fresh herbs is even more fun when she does the growing. Basil is such a beautiful and aromatic herb, and it’s a fast grower, increasing its height by up to one inch daily. 

Teach kids to pinch their basil to encourage branching. Basil is a great plant to teach about how flowering affects the flavor of herbs. Grow two plants, allow one to flower, and pinch the buds off the other. Compare the flavors of the two and see if they are different.

‘Petra Purple’ is as beautiful as it is tasty. It’s sweet and mild and the most wonderful shade of rich plum. Plant some near your tomato plants to enhance their flavor. They make good neighbors in the garden and the kitchen.

Zebrina ‘Purpusii’

	botanical name Tradescantia zebrina ‘Purpusii’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 3’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Zebrina is one of my favorite hanging basket plants. The striking, purple-striped leaves seem to sprout overnight, creating gracefully trailing chains of foliage. It’s also incredibly easy to grow. It’s very tolerant of drought and heat. Sunlight improves the contrast in variegation, but too much sun can scorch and fade. Take care in hot climates to give this one afternoon shade. 

Your littles will enjoy propagating this plant, and it’s a great way to teach about propagation. Zebrina sets out roots wherever a node touches the soil. Give your plant a haircut, and watch how quickly you have another whole plant growing!

Common Chives

	botanical name Allium schoenoprasum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12”-18″
	hardiness zones 4-8

Chives are a super simple plant to grow and give fast results. Kids can grow this for use in the kitchen, or allow it to bloom to attract pollinators that love its purple flowers. 

Chives are usually ready to harvest about two months after planting. They are drought tolerant, so they are forgiving of an erratic watering schedule. This is a great plant to let kids take the lead on. They grow well in containers and indoors, too. 

Elephant Ear ‘Black Magic’

	botanical name Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3’-6’
	hardiness zones 8-12

If you’re a warm-climate gardener, you might be able to grow elephant ears outdoors. Otherwise, they make a nice, fast-growing houseplant. Outdoors, it’s fascinating to see how large these plants become over time. Kids will marvel at this plant, which will outgrow them in a single season. 

Some types of elephant ears prefer full sun, but in my experience, ‘Black Magic’ prefers afternoon shade. I learned this the hard way and had to do some relocating. The rich purple, almost black, color sets this variety apart. Large, deeply colored leaves reach up to six feet tall in a season. 

Salvia ‘Violet Queen’

	botanical name Salvia x superba ‘Violet Queen’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

If you’re planting a pollinator garden with children, don’t forget to add the salvia. This is a pollinator favorite. It grows quickly and blooms for an extra long season. The purple flowers are a favorite with bees and hummingbirds.

This perennial is a member of the mint family. ‘Violet Queen’ has aromatic leaves and spikes of deep purple blooms. Plant it from seed and see it bloom in the first year. Kids will love to see it pop up again in the spring after a winter dormancy.

Rudbeckia ‘Cherokee Sunset’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherokee Sunset’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-30”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Rudbeckia is another great addition to the pollinator patch. Cheerful, warm-colored flowers have dark centers and are a favorite with native bees. Grown from seed, they bloom in about three months, and they have a long blooming season. 

I love to add rudbeckia to cut flower arrangements. They have a distinctive wildflower appearance. The most common variety, referred to as Black-eyed Susan, has a black eye in the center and a single row of yellow ray petals. 

‘Cherokee Sunset’ is a fancy variety with double-petaled blooms. Shades of red, gold, and brown make these flowers more complex and striking than most types. Leave their seed cones in the fall to feed overwintering birds. 

Strawberries ‘Delizz’

	botanical name Fragaria x ‘Delizz’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 14”
	hardiness zones 4-7

Who doesn’t love ripe, juicy strawberries? They are a favorite in my house, and I can always count on them when I need to get my girls to eat some fruits and veggies. They’re packed with vitamin C for a strong immune system!

‘Delizz’ is a newer hybrid variety that grows and produces quickly. It’s everbearing, so kids can harvest them continuously. This compact plant grows well in containers which prevents the berries from rotting on the ground.