Choosing the easiest seeds to start indoors is important for the best success. That’s why I put together this list for you. I broke this article down into two sections: one is a list of the easiest flower seeds, and the other is the easiest vegetable seeds to start indoors.
It can be really difficult to get the hang of successfully growing seeds, especially if you’ve never tried it before. But when you begin with the easiest seeds to start indoors, then you’re more likely to be successful.
Though there are many, many types of seeds that you can grow inside, I wanted to keep this list short so it’s not overwhelming for you.
I also included general planting times for each one, but be sure to check the packet instructions for the best timing.
Easiest Flower Seeds To Start Indoors
First I’ll begin with a few of my favorite flower seeds that I always plant inside the house. I use a lot of them, both in my garden and in containers.
1. Marigold
One of my all-time favorite flowers, marigolds are super easy seeds to grow indoors. They attract pollinators, and can help to deter pests from the garden too.
Start the seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your average planting date in the spring. Two of my favorite varieties are french marigold and Crackerjack.
2. Castor Bean
Castor bean seeds can be a bit fussy, so it’s much easier to start them indoors. Once they sprout, the seedlings grow really fast. Red castor bean is my favorite type, and they are gorgeous.
Plant the seeds indoors about a month before you plan to move them outdoors. Learn how to grow castor bean from seeds here.
3. Coleus
Coleus is definitely one of the best plants to grow indoors from seed because the seeds are tiny and could be washed away in the garden.
Plus they take long time to mature from seeds. Plant the seeds inside 8-10 weeks before they can be transplanted outside. I like this rainbow coleus blend.
4. Zinnia
Another must-have plant in my summer gardens are zinnias. They won’t tolerate the cold, so it’s best to start them indoors in early spring rather than planting the seeds outside.
Plant them 4-5 weeks before your last frost date to give them a good head start. This Thumbelina dwarf zinnia is a gorgeous mix, as is this Solar Flare Blend.
Easiest Vegetable Seeds To Start Indoors
Many types of vegetable seeds need to be started indoors in order to perform their best, and have plenty of time to mature to produce yummy food for us.
So I’ll continue my list by adding my top picks for the easiest vegetables to start early inside the house…
5. Cauliflower
Since it can be slow to mature (depending on the variety), it’s best to sow cauliflower seeds indoors to give them jump on the gardening season.
Start the seeds 4-6 weeks before the average spring planting date in your area. You can’t go wrong with the Early Snowball variety. Or try a fun mix with purple and white cauliflower seeds.
6. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts take a long time to mature from seeds, so start them inside 4-6 weeks before transplanting to the garden.
The seedlings can be planted outside in early spring, but protect them from freezing. Hestia Brussles sprouts is a great type to try.
7. Radicchio
Radicchio does best in cool weather, so be sure to get this one planted early.
Sow the seeds inside 4-6 weeks before your average last spring frost date to give them a head start. Try this Early Treviso variety in your garden this year!
8. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the easiest seeds to start indoors (and probably the most popular too!). Sow them indoors about 6-8 weeks before average last frost, learn how here.
Wait to plant the seedlings into the garden until the soil has warmed and all chance of frost is gone. Cherry tomatoes, Beefsteak and Brandywine are three of my favorites.
9. Watermelon
Since it takes them a really long time to mature, it’s best to sow watermelon seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your average last frost date.
Take care not to disturb the roots when transplanting the seedlings into the garden, or it could stunt their growth. If you have a long enough summer, try Jubilee. Otherwise, Sugar Baby has a shorter time to harvest.
10. Okra
Another fun plant if you’ve never tried it is okra. Not only do they produce yummy food, the flowers are beautiful too! Plant the seeds 4-6 weeks before it’s safe to move them to the garden.
For better germination, soak the seeds in water for 12-24 hours before sowing. Red Burgundy is a must in my garden, but green okra is beautiful and tasty too!
11. Basil
Basil is fantastic, and it does well in both the ground or in containers. Traditional green basil is a staple in my garden, but I love the purple variety too!
It will not tolerate the cold, and they need warm soil to germinate. So it’s much better to start them inside rather than in the garden. Start them indoors 6-8 weeks before moving outside. Learn how to grow basil from seed here.
12. Eggplant
Eggplant are easy-to-grow seeds, and the plants are great for containers or in the garden.
Plant them inside the house 8-12 weeks before your average planting date in the spring. Little Prince is a cute variety containers, and Black Beauty is a more traditional type of eggplant.
13. Tomatillo
If you’re looking for a vigorous and highly productive vegetable for your garden, then try tomatillos. They are fun and easy to grow from seeds indoors, and delicious in salsa and sauces.
Sow them indoors 6 weeks before the last spring frost. You can stick with the traditional green ones, or try the purple variety. Learn exactly how to grow tomatillo seeds here.
14. Broccoli
If you’ve never tried broccoli before, you should definitely give it a try. These are some of my favorite broccoli seeds to plant every year.
Plant them 4-6 weeks before your average last frost. Learn how to grow broccoli from seed here.
15. Kale
Kale is another cool season vegetable that you can harvest summer through late fall. They are a little slow to get going, so it’s best to give them a head start inside.
In early spring, sow the seeds indoors 3-6 weeks before your spring planting date. I recommend trying Chinese kale and Red Winter kale.
16. Cabbage
Another slow vegetable, cabbage does best when planted indoors 6-8 weeks before your average last spring frost date.
Seedlings should be transplanted into the garden in early spring, but be sure to protect them from freezing. Cabbage Red Acre adds amazing color to the garden.
17. Peppers
Peppers are super easy plants to grow indoors from seed. Some of my favorites are sweet bell, cayenne hot and jalapenos. Start them about 8-12 weeks before last frost date in early spring.
If the soil is too cold it could stunt them, so wait until it’s warm before transplanting them into the garden. Learn how to grow peppers from seeds step-by-step.
When you pick from this list of the easiest seeds to start indoors, you’re sure to have great success! Then, once you become a pro at these, you can move on to trying more difficult ones.
If you’re looking for detailed, step-by-step help for growing any plant you want from seed, then my online Seed Starting Course is exactly what you need! It’s a fun and comprehensive self-paced online course that will teach you everything you need to know. Enroll and get started today!
Otherwise, if you just want to get started growing seeds indoors, then you need my Starting Seeds Indoors eBook. It’s a quick-start guide for beginners that will get you going fast.
More Posts About Growing Seeds
- Tips For Growing Seeds Indoors For Beginners
- 23 Easiest Vegetables To Grow from Seed
- 13 Easy Annual Flowers To Grow From Seed
- 17 Easiest Seeds To Direct Sow
- When To Put Your Seedlings Under Lights & How Much
What would you add to this list of the easiest seeds to start indoors? Tell us in the comments below!
Jamie Jungerheld says
I didn’t see lettuce on your list. We really like using fresh lettuce into the summer but those plants are costing a fortune at the nursery so I thought I’d plant my own. Thoughts?
Amy Andrychowicz says
While it is easy to grow from seed, lettuce does much better when you direct sow it outside rather than starting it indoors. Here’s my complete guide for how to grow lettuce from seed for all the details.
Chris says
I love staring all my flower and veggie seeds indoors and usually start the process end of March. It’s becoming more difficult to predict last frost but I’ve managed to work around some of the problems.
I always start seeds in my southwest windows. Once the seedlings are big enough they get transplanted into bigger pots and then once about 4-5” high with at least 2 sets of leaves, they go into the greenhouse on my deck. As long as temperatures aren’t too much below freezing they all survive. I cover the pots with white row cloth to keep them warm and then remove it if it’s a sunny day. A bit of a chore and time consuming, but well worth it.
Zucchini turned out great planting indoors.
Because we back onto a forest area planting indoors makes sure the seedlings are well established and squirrels can’t get to them.
Last year I planted so many Castor beans I was giving them away!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, thanks for sharing your process of how you start your seeds indoors. I love that you have a greenhouse, that’s fantastic. We built one several years ago, and having it was a game changer for my seedlings. It makes it so much easier to harden them off, and keep them thick and full without having them in the house.
Kirsten says
I’m going to try to grow a few vegetables from seeds for the first time this year. I bought radishes, cauliflower and beets. I didn’t see beets on your list, so hopefully they do ok! If they don’t, at least seeds are cheap and I will not have lost much. 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
Haha, exactly! You’ve got the right attitude! Beets are easy to grow from seed (and they made my list of the Easiest Seeds To Direct Sow). However it’s best to plant them directly in the garden rather than starting them indoors. Root crops like beets don’t transplant well, and starting them outside is much easier.
Tom says
Well, I really like planting zucchini in planters. But this year, I’m hesitate to even start seeds because it’s been minus 7 degrees for about a month where I live. I worry, that even indoors, my seeds will just die on me and then what’s the point. Trying to keep the house warm with firewood, but it’s tough.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I know what you mean, growing seeds (even the easy ones) indoors can be a challenge sometimes! You could try putting your seeds into a small room with a space heater or a heat mat, that way they will stay warm even if the rest of the house is too cold. Hope it warms up soon for you!
Tom says
Wow, I really like the idea of using a space heater. I’ll give that a whirl. It’s getting a bit warmer here (as in the teens and 20’s not minus 35 wind chill) so maybe the seeds will have a fighting chance. We have a woodturning stove, but feel the seeds would not like the dry heat of that room. Besides, it’s really dark in there! Thanks for the idea.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, hope it works for you!