15 Beautiful Wildflowers That Spread Easily

Wildflowers, especially native wildflowers that spread easily, are great for the garden in so many ways. These are the best plants you can grow for pollinators and other native wildlife. They provide food and habitats, which improve the biodiversity of your space. 

Native wildflowers are usually easier to care for and far more low-maintenance than cultivated plants. They’re adapted to your specific environment in a way that reduces water and fertilizer needs. In this way, they save both money and resources. 

Deep-rooted native wildflowers also improve your soil’s structure. They add nutrients, thereby enhancing the soil’s fertility. They also reduce erosion, sequester carbon, and regulate microclimates. Planting wildflowers that spread easily accomplishes the task quickly. Here are some wonderful native wildflowers from the US that spread easily in your garden. 

Black-Eyed Susan

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Purple Coneflower

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Wild Bergamot

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Black-Eyed Susan

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Black-eyed Susans are a reliable, vigorous producer of brilliant yellow flowers. Pollinators adore the nectar-rich blooms, and they create a lovely, meadow-like appearance with their slender, branching form. Not only that, they re-seed bountifully, and once you’ve got them in your yard, you’ll always have the option. This wildflower spreads easily. 

The offsets are easy to pull and remove if this plant gets out of hand. You’ll see the fuzzy leaves pop up in early spring on a radius around the original plant. I love how low-maintenance these natives are. They are native to most of North America and thrive in a wide range of climates. They’re also a host plant for several butterfly and moth species. 

Purple Coneflower

	botanical name Echinacea purpurea
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Purple coneflowers are hardy perennials native to central and eastern North America. They bloom for an extended period throughout the summer, providing ample food for pollinators. If you leave the seed heads over the winter, you’ll also provide food for overwintering birds. 

These wildflowers spread easily, though not aggressively. If you leave those seed heads intact, the seeds will drop, and seedlings often appear the following season. The root system grows larger over time, allowing individual plants to become quite large. However, they spread by seeds and not through rhizomes. 

Oxeye Sunflower

	botanical name Heliopsis helianthoides
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Oxeye sunflowers are often called false sunflowers. While they are not from the same genus as true sunflowers, the resemblance is striking. They are resilient wildflowers that spread easily and have great value to pollinators. 

This long-lived perennial is native to most of eastern and central North America. It likes well-drained soil but is adaptable and drought-tolerant once established. In winter, finches enjoy the dried seed heads and help spread the seeds. 

Blue Mistflower

	botanical name Conoclinium coelestinum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 5-10

This pretty little wildflower spreads easily by rhizomes. It’s a charming perennial native to the eastern and central United States. Clusters of fluffy, pastel blue-violet flowers are highly attractive to pollinators. In my garden, this is a favorite for Monarch butterflies. 

Blue mistflower spreads vigorously, so it’s recommended to thin it out every few years. It’s not prone to choking out other plants, though, so it makes a good neighbor. It prefers moist soil and isn’t the most drought-tolerant on the list. 

Wild Bergamot

	botanical name Monarda fistulosa
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-4’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Except for California and Florida, Wild Bergamot is native to all the contiguous United States. It’s a lovely perennial in the mint family with pale lavender flowers. They are highly appealing to pollinators. It blooms in summer, but can begin as early as spring in some warmer climates. 

Wild bergamot will thrive in partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, but it also adapts to clay. Once established, it’s moderately drought tolerant. This wildflower spreads easily by rhizome and self-seeding. To prevent issues with powdery mildew, thin this out every two to three years to improve air flow. 

California Poppy

	botanical name Eschscholzia californica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6”-18”
	hardiness zones 6-10

Undoubtedly, you’ve seen photographs of fields full of California poppies. Bright orange blooms are vibrant and prolific, blooming in spring and summer. They can even re-bloom in the fall with adequate moisture. This wildflower is drought-tolerant and prefers dry, sandy soil. 

California poppies are wildflowers that spread easily by self-seeding. They require minimal maintenance, as long as they receive sufficient light and the appropriate type of soil. If you’re looking for a wildflower that will colonize and create a beautiful carpet of flowers, look no further. 

Desert Marigold

	botanical name Baileya multiradiata
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-24”
	hardiness zones 7-10

Desert marigold is a tough, drought-tolerant wildflower that spreads easily. It’s native to the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. It’s loved for its bright yellow blooms, silvery foliage, and ability to thrive in harsh desert conditions.

This is a great plant for xeriscapes and native plant gardens. It blooms from spring through fall, and requires little irrigation. It’s highly drought-tolerant. For those living in arid regions, this is a low-maintenance way to add color to the landscape. Depending on the conditions, this can be an annual or short-lived perennial.

Western Columbine

	botanical name Aquilegia formosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Western columbine is a graceful wildflower found throughout western North America. It’s common to see in woodlands, meadows, and along stream banks. It has striking red and yellow nodding flowers. Native plant gardeners love it almost as much as hummingbirds do. 

In terms of soil, western columbine prefers well-drained, rich soil with a high organic matter content. It’s not drought-tolerant, and prefers dappled light. This herbaceous perennial wildflower spreads easily and gently by self-seeding. It adds beautiful color to woodland gardens and partially shaded spaces.

Yarrow

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

Yarrow is a hardy perennial known for its flat-topped flower clusters and fern-like foliage. It’s remarkably adaptable and native to temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Yarrow is a popular choice in pollinator gardens, meadows, and low-maintenance landscapes.

This wildflower spreads easily by rhizomes, and in ideal conditions, it can be a bit aggressive. Every few years, you can divide clumps to thin them out. It’s excellent for dry areas with a lot of exposure, and pollinators love the clusters of tiny flowers. 

Showy Goldenrod

	botanical name Solidago speciosa
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-7’
	hardiness zones 3-8

There are many species of goldenrod native to the US. Showy goldenrod is striking for its tall, upright stems and vivid golden-yellow flower spikes. Unlike some aggressive goldenrod species, this one is well-behaved. It’s an excellent choice for native plant gardens, borders, and pollinator meadows.

Don’t mistake the words well-behaved; this wildflower spreads easily by self-seeding. It just won’t take over your garden like some other species. It’s clump-forming and not invasive in most settings. It’s an excellent source of pollen and nectar for pollinators in the fall. 

Blanket Flower

	botanical name Gaillardia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Blanket flower is a bright and cheerful, sun-loving perennial.  In some climates, it is an annual. It’s known for its cheerful, daisy-like blooms in eye-catching shades of red, orange, and yellow. Native to North and South America, blanket flowers are a favorite in wildflower gardens. They’re also ideal for pollinator plantings and xeriscapes. 

You can count on this wildflower to spread easily by self-seeding. It forms wonderful colonies in dry areas with poor soil. The seed heads will also attract small birds. These aren’t bothered by drought or poor soil; in fact, it’s their preferred state. 

Plains Coreopsis

	botanical name Coreopsis tinctoria
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-4’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Plains coreopsis, also known as golden tickseed, is a vibrant annual wildflower (and sometimes perennial) that spreads easily. It’s native to most of the United States, with the Central and Southern Great Plains being the core of its range. It’s beloved for its bold, bi-colored blooms, easy-going nature, and ability to thrive in tough conditions. 

Its ease of care makes it a favorite in wildflower meadows and pollinator gardens. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and tolerates poor soil excellently. Avoid planting plains coreopsis in wet or heavy soil types. This annual self-seeds readily and naturalizes well. 

Blue Vervain

	botanical name Verbena hastata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Blue vervain is a tall, elegant wildflower that thrives in moist soil and supports a diverse range of pollinators. With its spiky violet blooms and low-maintenance habit, it’s perfect for rain gardens or any moist environment. It’s native to most of North America, often found growing on stream banks and in moist meadows. 

Due to its considerable moisture requirements, this one is a bit more work to maintain. It’s best suited to areas with consistent moisture. It’s not drought-tolerant. The seed heads are attractive to small birds in the fall and winter. This wildflower spreads easily by self-seeding and will colonize under the right conditions. 

Cosmos

	botanical name Cosmos bipinnatus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-6’
	hardiness zones 2-11

I love cosmos; they are a favorite of mine for the cutting garden. They’re also a self-sowing native wildflower that spreads easily. They’re low-maintenance, you can deadhead if you like, but it’s not imperative. They have lovely, airy, fernlike foliage and sweet, brightly colored blooms. 

Native bees love these pretty wildflowers. They make an ideal addition to meadows or cottage gardens. Cosmos have a long blooming season that lasts through summer and into the fall months. They are partial to poor soil types and drought-tolerant once established. 

Scarlet Sage

	botanical name Salvia coccinea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 6-11

Scarlet sage, also known as Texas sage or tropical sage, is an eye-catching, heat-loving annual or tender perennial. It’s native to the southeastern U.S., as well as Mexico and Central America. Gardeners love it for its fiery red tubular flowers.