19 Seeds You Should Winter Sow In January

Winter sowing is a fun and fruitful way to get a jumpstart on spring planting. Seedlings that develop over the winter in homemade mini-greenhouses are often stronger with more established roots for robust growth, extended flowering and fruiting, and no hardening-off period.

As early as December, those in lower zones can winter sow many selections, especially those that are hardy or need cold stratification to germinate. Cold stratification is a period of several weeks at temperatures around 40°F (4°C), depending on the plant. These enjoy time outside in the winter and are often native perennials that naturally self-sow in the landscape. But you can winter sow just about anything! 

How To Winter Sow

Start with clear (or very translucent) containers like milk jugs, plastic bottles, bins, or baggies. Make four to six holes in the base. For milk jugs, remove the cap and cut the jug in half, almost all the way around. Leave the handle in place to lift the lid. Fill the jug with three to four inches of potting mix. Sow seeds, water them in, and tape the cut seam. 

Place the little greenhouses in a sunny spot exposed to the elements – snow is fine. The seeds benefit, and seedlings toughen up in the natural conditions as they sprout later in the season. Open the lid for ventilation on warm days and to maintain soil moisture.

When to Winter Sow

Climate and temperature affect winter sowing, and a great time to start is in freezing conditions. This ensures seedlings won’t sprout too early and risk freezing later in the season. Those who need it receive their cold stratification period. 

Aim to sow seeds about eight weeks before you would typically transplant them to the garden. January is the time to winter sow seeds that benefit from cold stratification in cold climates (and even into February and March). In warm climates, the seeds germinate faster.

Anise Hyssop

	botanical name Agastache foeniculum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-5’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Anise hyssop is an old garden favorite with tubular blooms and fragrant foliage. The showy North American native mint has loads of purple-blue bloom spikes that rise above gray-green foliage and provide a rich nectar source for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.

Numerous species and cultivars of agastache offer reliable blooming, brilliant color, and strong performance.  Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ is a butterfly favorite that shines with floriferous lavender-blue spikes.

Anise hyssop blooms profusely in summer through frost and reseeds on its own. Direct sow seeds in fall and winter to give seeds plenty of natural cold stratification. It thrives in various soil textures and moisture levels as long as they’re well-draining. Deadhead spent blooms to enjoy prolific flowering all season.

Columbine

	botanical name Aquilegia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Columbine is a native perennial with origami-like blooms and attractive compound leaves. The nodding blooms range from vibrant red and yellow to beautiful blues, purples, and pinks, depending on the variety. Hummingbirds frequent the tubular blooms for nectar, and birds feed on the seeds in fall.

Eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) has showy red and yellow bell flowers and perennializes well. Aquilegia coerulea, the beloved Rocky Mountain blue columbine, brings heirloom violet and white blooms with yellow stamens.

With a natural growing area along woodland edges, clearings, and riverbanks, columbine grows best in moderately moist, well-drained soils. Foliage is semi-evergreen unless temperatures become too cold or too hot, where it enters dormancy. Columbine occurs naturally in cold climates and benefits from a cold period of 30 days or more to germinate. Scatter seeds on the soil surface and cover lightly with soil.

Larkspur

	botanical name Delphinium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3′
	hardiness zones 3-9

Larkspur is elegant with large, deep blue bell-shaped flowers on tall stems. These stand out in the back of the border in climates with mild summers and cold winters.

Delphinium carolinianum, or blue larkspur, is a wildflower native to the prairies of the Midwest. The hardy native has a wide range, from the American West to the Southeast. Light blue blooms rise above blue-green, lobed leaves in open meadows from early spring through summer.

Most species commercially available are of European and Asian origin. Delphinium elatum offers reliable blooms, a range of colors and sizes, and good performance. Available in tall and dwarf varieties, in colors from marine blue to rose pink to clear white, D. elatum produces beautiful flowers, attracts pollinators, and resists mildew diseases.

In warm climates, larkspur dies back in summer heat and grows as annuals. It needs moist and very well-draining soils; they’re susceptible to crown rot and powdery mildew if conditions are too moist. 

Echinacea

	botanical name Echinacea purpurea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1.5-5’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Echinacea is another favorite North American native perennial for pollinators and gardeners alike. Its purple ray petals surround central discs packed with florets and small seeds.

Coneflower needs cold stratification to germinate. Let them self-sow after blooming (dispersed by wind, birds, and small mammals who forage on the seeds). In fall, collect and dry some of the seedheads to sow in milk jugs. Or, start with a seed packet of a fun cultivar for early sowing – they span the color spectrum in various flower forms.

Echinacea is a natural prairie plant that withstands high heat and dry conditions. It performs best with regular moisture and good drainage.

Aster

	botanical name Symphyotrichum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6″-7’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Asters, with many species native to North America, are easy-to-grow mainstays with deep blue-purple, lavender, and pink flowers. They put on a show well into fall as other bloomers begin to fade.

Aster, Greek for “star,” blooms in clusters of starry daisy flowers. Small but abundant flowers they create a complete blanket of color. Monarchs and other pollinators appreciate the late nectar and pollen source as they migrate and prepare for winter. 

Winter sow asters for transplanting in late spring. They prefer consistently moist, organically rich soils. Provide good air circulation and thin stems in summer if density inhibits airflow. Thinning the stems helps stave off foliar diseases.

Lupine

	botanical name Lupinus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-5’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Lupine enchants in spring and summer with bell-shaped blooms in blues, purples, pinks, yellows, and bicolors. The ornamental wildflowers grow in various conditions, from dry to moist, hot to cold, and lean soils. As legumes, they fix nitrogen in the soil and improve surrounding nutrition.

Lupinus perennis, or wild lupine, is native to eastern North America. Sky-blue flowers adorn multiple spikes, often two tones of purple and blue or blue and white – a sweet pea flower in rich tones with attractive palmate leaves.

Meadow lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) is one of the showiest species, with dense violet blooms atop a cushion of pretty blue-green leaves. Robust at three to five feet tall, its adaptability leads to invasive qualities outside its native Western range, particularly in the northeastern U.S. In the West, it plays an important role in ecosystem management for erosion control, soil improvement, and pollinator food sources.

Sow lupine seeds by scattering them outdoors in fall or winter, when snowfall provides insulation until seeds germinate in the spring. Use winter sowing to promote earlier flowering on strong root systems.

Monarda

	botanical name Monarda didyma
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Monarda didyma, or bee balm, is an eastern U.S. native and a favorite performer due to its hardy nature and spectacular scarlet blooms. Two-inch blooms with flared petals cluster on stems above minty foliage.

Numerous hybrids offer vibrant flowers in purple, pink, and red shades. ‘Jacob Cline’ in brilliant red is a hardy variety with good powdery mildew resistance. ‘Cherry Pops’ is a dwarf cultivar with carmine blooms on sturdy stems. The bloom season is long, lasting from early summer through fall. 

Winter sow monarda in January. Provide plenty of air circulation for monarda, organic soils, and consistent moisture. Remove spent blooms to prolong blooming. Monarda spreads by seed and rhizome, so divide plants and weed out volunteers to keep it in bounds if it’s performing too well.

Penstemon

	botanical name Penstemon spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Penstemon, or beardtongue, boasts tall spikes loaded with bell blooms from blue to scarlet. Many species are native to the U.S. and widely cultivated because of their brilliant blooms and dark green foliage.

Rocky Mountain blue (Penstemon strictus) is a long-lived, reliable heirloom with striking violet-blue bloom spikes in early summer. Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) features showy scarlet bells on tall spikes in spring through summer.

Penstemon prefers dry, light, well-drained soils. Seeds benefit from weeks of cold, so sow in fall or winter “greenhouses” to allow exposure to cold temperatures and moisture.

Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea millefolium
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Yarrow is the last North American native on our list and another top perennial among gardeners and pollinators. It’s exceptionally low maintenance, durable, and drought-tolerant. It brings a feathery texture and large, flat flower heads in a long season of color.

Yarrow doesn’t need much more than a sunny spot with well-draining soil to flourish. Scatter seeds on the soil surface, whether direct-sowing or in jugs, and press them in place to ensure contact.

Lavender

	botanical name Lavandula spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Lavender carries an invigorating fragrance, silvery foliage, and purple bloom spikes. It makes a multipurpose ornamental with uses from aromatherapy to cleansing to culinary. 

The sun-loving Mediterranean specimen grows in arid, warm summers and cool winters. In areas with cold winters, look for hardy varieties like Lavendula angustifolia ‘Munstead,’ an early bloomer with a compact habit. Look to ‘Phenomenal’ in humid climates for increased mildew resistance. 

Lavender performs beautifully in a sunny container and overwinters in a sheltered spot. Seeds benefit from a chill period and protection from frigid conditions – making it a fit for winter sowing in January. Plant seeds shallowly in the container.

Hollyhock

	botanical name Alcea rosea
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-8’
	hardiness zones 2-10

Hollyhocks are old-fashioned biennials or short-lived perennials with stunning summer blooms along tall, straight stems. Hollyhocks grow in gorgeous colors, from heirloom varieties of velvety black to magenta, carmine, and pale yellow. 

These dramatic back-of-the-border bloomers are ideal for the cutting garden. Tall specimens benefit from staking, while shorter varieties start at three feet tall and are self-supporting.

Hollyhocks need sunlight to germinate, so lightly scatter them on the surface of prepared soils in the transparent containers. Because hollyhocks reseed vigorously, they are invasive in some areas.

Calendula

	botanical name Calendula officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Calendula is a frost-tolerant annual with yellow, orange, pink, and bicolor daisy-ray flowers. Its single or double blooms bring warmth to chilly days and have an extended bloom time. Leaves and flowers are edible and make a beautiful dried or fresh floral addition.

Calendula grows best in fall and spring. In warm climates, it performs over the winter. The flowers emerge from spring through frost in cool climates, taking a break in high summer heat.

Calendula grows easily from seed. After winter sowing, transplant it as soon as the soil is workable. Provide mulch for the quick growers as insulation. They may self-sow for another season of blooms.

Stock

	botanical name Matthiola incana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Stock is a nostalgic annual or tender perennial with fragrant, jewel-tone flowers on stiff, upright stems. It features single or double white, pink, red, purple, ivory, and copper flowers, making a lovely cut flower with a scent to savor.

Stock is frost-tolerant and thrives in cool temperatures. It’s hardy to 25°F (-4°C), but it doesn’t withstand hot summers or frigid winters. It grows easily from seed and is best in the ground before temperatures warm.

Stock does best in highly organic and well-draining soils. It withstands occasionally wet soils.

Snapdragons

	botanical name Antirrhinum majus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6″-5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

Snapdragons are classic cool season annuals in a range of shades from magenta to coral to soft yellow. In mild winter climates, they bloom all winter long. In colder climates, snapdragons flower in spring, summer, and fall.

Like violas and pansies, they complement nearly any seasonal display, whether in vibrant or antique hues. Tall specimens benefit from the stem support of a lower plant, while shorter varieties hold their own.

Snapdragons prefer moist, well-drained soils. Deadhead to keep the plant from going to seed and to promote continued blooming. In plastic containers, push seeds lightly into the soil while still allowing access to light.

Parsley

	botanical name Petroselinum crispum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-18”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Parsley is vigorous in cool conditions and serves a dual role as an ornamental and culinary addition. Use it as a filler among annuals in containers or in front of the border, paired with bloomers like pansies, calendula, and snapdragons.

Parsley’s fanning leaves are flat or curly, depending on the variety. They bring a refreshing, minty, and peppery flavor, fresh and dried. Sow them in cold weather using the container method to get a headstart on enjoying them in late winter and early spring.

Broccoli

	botanical name Brassica oleracea (Italica Group)
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24-36”
	hardiness zones 3-10

Just like perennials and cool season annuals, cold hardy vegetables take well to winter sowing. Broccoli is prime for late winter sowing and transplanting. The frost-tolerant veggies enjoy cool temperatures for the best growth, and winter sowing produces an earlier yield.

‘Di Cicco’ is an Italian heirloom variety from 1890 with many small—to medium-sized heads. It matures in about 48 days, with a central three-inch crown and numerous smaller florets.

Chinese broccoli ‘Kailann’ produces small florets and leafy greens with a rich broccoli flavor. The thin stalks and florets are ready from seed in 60 to 70 days.

‘Rapini,’ a broccoli raab (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa), brings a delicate twist. Stems and small crowns are tender, mild, and slightly peppery. They reach only about one foot tall and are ready in 45 days. Enjoy the leaves of both broccoli and broccoli raab fresh or cooked.

Napa Cabbage

	botanical name Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 9-11”
	hardiness zones 4-7

Cabbage (and really all Brassicas) are prime for January seeding in a protective container. For a mild, delicately sweet flavor, try Napa cabbage. It’s not as pungent as other cabbages, which makes it versatile in cuisine. Leaves are soft and light green with white stems, and heads have a creamy interior.

Fully developed, the cabbages may weigh over two pounds each. They’re ready in 50-55 days and are best when mature. Napa cabbage is delicious in kimchi, fresh wraps, salads, and stir-fried, braised, and roasted.

Cauliflower

	botanical name Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Like broccoli and cabbage, cauliflower is a frost-tolerant crop. A late winter sow gives seedlings a jumpstart on root development and leafy upper growth for heads that mature before other transplants.

Small, early maturing varieties produce more quickly. ‘Fioretto’ has a compact habit that matures in around 60 days. Slender stalks produce a bouquet of cauliflower florets. The flavor is nutty and somewhat sweeter than traditional selections.

‘Snowball’ is a showy six-inch crown of white on two-foot plants. Allow 75 to 80 days to enjoy this one. ‘Romanesco,’ an heirloom that falls between a broccoli and a cauliflower, is ready in about 100 days.

Kale

	botanical name Brassica oleracea (Tronchuda Group)
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-36”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Another Brassica, kale is a beacon of nutrition and makes a lovely addition to edible and ornamental beds and containers. In addition to its culinary accolades are its colorful and textural foliage for visual interest, from curly-leaved to leathery in deep green, purple, and red.

‘Dwarf Blue Curled’ is an 1800s heirloom with exceptional cold hardiness. Its ruffly leaves mature in 21 to 55 days and sweeten after frost exposure.