Choosing seeds for winter sowing is easy once you know what to look for. There are tons that will work, but there are also many that will not. In this post, I will show you exactly how to figure out the best ones to use, and the types to avoid.
The reason it is so important to choose the right type of seed to use for winter sowing is because some will work great, while others will only rot.
But don’t worry, you just have to understand a few simple things to get it right. I’m going to break it all down for you below.
How To Choose The Best Seeds For Winter Sowing
Generally speaking, perennial seeds, and cold weather vegetables, as well as hardy annual flowers and herbs will work great for winter sowing.
If you’re unsure whether specific types will work or not, then read the packet and look for these keywords…
- “self sowing”
- “direct sow outside in the fall”
- “direct sow outside in early spring”
- “cold stratification”
- “cold hardy”
- “perennial”
Related Post: When To Start Winter Sowing Your Seeds
Winter Sowing Seed Lists
Below you will find a few lists with examples of some of the best seeds for winter sowing, sorted by type. Of course, this isn’t meant to be an “all-inclusive” list.
This is just a small sample of ones that have worked for me, and should help give you an idea of the types to try for yourself.
Annuals
- Calendula
- Celosia
- Cosmos (I like Sea Shells and Psyche White)
- Datura
- Lavatera
- Marigold (Crackerjack and French are my favs)
- Morning glory
- Petunia
- Snapdragon (Night and Day Snapdragon is gorgeous)
- Sunflower (this dark red mix is my favorite)
Related Post: How To Prepare Containers For Winter Sowing
Perennials
- Black eyed Susan
- Butterfly weed
- Cone flowers
- Gaillardia
- Liatris
- Poppies
- Rudbeckia
Here’s a great mix of flowers that would be excellent seeds for winter sowing.
Vegetables
- Arugula
- Broccoli (this variety did amazing in my garden this year)
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower (I love this blend of heirloom varieties)
- Collard greens (this is the variety I grow every year)
- Endive
- Kale (I love Chinese Kale and Red Kale)
- Leeks
- Lettuce (I love Garnet Rose, Red Velvet and Mesclun Medley)
- Mache
- Bac choy
- Radicchio (Palla Rossa Mavrik is lovely)
- Radish
- Spinach
- Swiss chard (Bright Lights Swiss Chard is a must for amazing color)
- Kohlrabi (Purple Kohlrabi adds wonderful color to the garden)
This mix of veggies would be perfect if you’re just getting started.
Herbs
- Chives (both regular chives and garlic chives are a must in my garden)
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Anise hyssop
- Lavender
- Mustard (Mustard Red Giant is a must)
- Oregano
- Parsley (this is my favorite)
- Peppermint
- Sage
- Salsify
- Summer Savory
- Chamomile
Related Post: Winter Sowing Questions & Answers (FAQs)
Once you start experimenting, and seeing the similarities in the different types of seeds you can use for winter sowing, you’ll easily be able to figure out which ones to try in the future.
Do you want to learn even more? My Winter Sowing eBook would be perfect for you. It will teach you everything you need to know about how to winter sow. Download your copy today!
If you want to learn how to start all of your seeds, and mix the different methods to easily grow anything you want, then my Seed Starting Course is just what you need. It’s an in-depth training that will teach you exactly how to grow any type of seed so that you can save tons of money every year on garden plants. Enroll in the course and get started today!
More Information About Winter Sowing
- How To Clean Winter Sowing Containers For Reuse
- Winter Sowing Containers: What Works & What Doesn’t
- Tips For Winter Sowing During A Mild Winter
- Choosing The Best Soil For Winter Sowing
Share your favorite seeds for winter sowing in the comments section below.
linda SCOTT says
Hi, I just signed up and I am in Youngstown NY on Lake Ontario. I didn’t see Peppers or Tomatoes. Not doabble?
Amy Andrychowicz says
The reason I didn’t add pepper and tomato seeds to this list for winter sowing is because they take too long to mature. Some varieties will germinate just fine when you winter sow them. However they usually won’t start until after it warms up in the spring, and the seedlings won’t be large enough for planting into the garden until several weeks after you could plant them if you started the indoors. Some people have great luck with ws-ing them, but they usually live in warmer climates.
Mariah says
What is the best way to relocate the tender seedlings , straight into garden bed or into larger containers?
Thank you
Amy Andrychowicz says
If you use the correct containers for them, you usually don’t have to worry about potting up winter sown seedlings, and you can plant them straight into the garden.
CT Garden Gal says
I don’t know why to don’t have tomato, pepper, eggplant and other tender annuals seeds listed. They can be grown via the winter sowing method just fine. I’ve been doing it for over a decade with great success in my zone 5 climate. You won’t get 100%germination rate, but those that do grow are strong, hardy, healthy and usually produce the best all summer.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thanks for sharing your experience with winter sowing tender annual seeds. I have also had success with those types of seeds here in z4, but also some epic failures. I wanted this list of seeds to be those that are fool-proof for ws-ing. I’d hate for beginners to try tender annuals, only to have them not grow – or worse, freeze in a late cold snap. 🙂
SueOB says
I have two questions. How about herb seeds? I particularly like to grow basil, oregano, rosemary, dill… are they better done in spring? And if I start pansies right now (mid-Feb) will they be blooming by mid-April? Thanks!
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would wait a few more weeks before winter sowing the basil seeds, they like warmer temps. But the other herbs are fine to plant now. As for the pansies… it depends on where you live. If you’re in a cold climate like me (MN), and want those blooming by mid-April, I would start the seeds inside and not winter sow them. But if you’re in a warmer climate, then it may work fine. Of course, you could always winter sow a few of the pansy seeds to see how they turn out, so you’ll know for next year.
SueOB says
Thanks Amy. I have done 17 containers in the past 2 days. I have more seeds that I am going to wait for awhile on. Last year I put them in the snow but within weeks, they were sitting in the dirt because spring was so early in Minnesota. The shouldn’t be a problem this year. Thanks of your advice on the herbs and pansies. I did start basil in the house.
Amy Andrychowicz says
LOL, I had some of my containers flip upside down when the snow melted one year. They were still frozen, so it was fine. You’re welcome.
Holly A says
None of my seeds say the words that you said above for winter sowing. Can I still plant the seeds from the list above?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, you can start with the list of seeds I recommend for winter sowing above for sure! Have fun!
Linda Heaster says
Hi Amy,
I want to tell you I have winter sown 57 milk jugs. Most had something germinate, I had a bunch of old seed and threw it in. I was surprised that some of them came up. Such as yarrow from Thompson and Morgan. Most of the plants are tiny yet and growth is very slow. I found a few insects inside, roly poly’s
Do they harm plants? I will do this again next year, fun! Thanks
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome! So glad to hear that most of your winter sown seeds have germinated! It is so much fun! Unfortunately roly poly bugs can eat plants, so it’s best to get rid of them if you can.
CT Garden Gal says
Roly polyies aka sow bugs or pill bugs (2 entirely different insects) Will not and do not ever damage healthy plants. That’s why you will never find them on stems or leaves. They are 100% scavengers and eat only decaying matter. They can be beneficial because if a plant dies, the bugs will eat it being natures clean up crew.
Kirstie says
It’s April 8th, and wanted to report that I have tons of winter sown seeds germinating here in Western NY… pincushion flowers, babies breath, oregano, aster, catchfly, salvia, snapdragon, marjoram, catnip, lavender, lettuce, rapini, celery, spinach, chamomile, painted daisy, ageratum, cilantro, dill, parsley, shirley poppies, sunflowers, lupine, chives, candy tuft, pinks, chinese kale, sweet william, alyssum, california poppies, corn poppies, galleria, cantebury bells, flowering kale, calendula, asters, sea shell cosmos, clarkia, helichrysum, chinese cabbage, dwarf cosmos and brussel sprouts.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wowzers, you have been busy! Look at all those winter sown seeds sprouting! I bet you’ll be able to start planting some of those soon too. How fun! Thanks for sharing all of your success. 🙂
FranksGreenGirl says
I am so happy to tell you that we (my daughter and I) have started this winter sowing process and we have successfully germinated Mother Of Thyme, soy bean, cosmos, and a host of other flowers; and they are all coming up. I was so nervous… Now I am going to try this with some cubanelle peppers and a few tomato varieties because we had an oops when transplanting to a larger pot. If we winter sowed them we would not have had such an issue… Oh well, guess that’s why you say you shouldn’t use all your seeds at once. Glad we actually read that before we started and have some left over to salvage this years oopses.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I’m thrilled to hear that all of your winter sown seeds are sprouting, good for you! Sorry to hear about your oopses. Yes, saving some of your seeds “just in case” is always a good idea. 🙂 Plus most of them will still be good next year.
Amanda says
I have 28 containers planted, and have lots of Brussels sprouts sprouted, and onions, and bachelor buttons, and a couple of cabbage sprouts. Still waiting on everything else!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wooho, very exciting! Congrats!
Simne says
Hey Amy,
I was motivate by you, so I went ahead and sowed 10 more containers. It’s nowhere near the numbers you do, but I just don’t drink enough juice quickly enough! 🙂 This week, I winter sowed Nasturtiums, oregano, thyme, eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, Jalapeño pepper and yellow bell peppers.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, I’m so glad I inspired you to winter sow more types of seeds! It’s so much fun! 🙂