Choosing seeds for winter sowing is easy once you know what to look for. There are tons of seeds that will work, but there are also many that will not. In this post, I will show you exactly how to figure out which types of seeds to use for winter sowing.
How do you choose the best seeds for winter sowing? That is a very common question, and an important one at that.
The reason this question is so important is because you can’t use every type of seed with the winter sowing method. Some types of seeds work great, but others will only rot.
But don’t worry, you just have to understand a few simple things in order to get it right. I’m going to break it all down for you below.
Seeds and supplies for winter sowing
How To Choose The Best Seeds For Winter Sowing
Generally speaking, perennial seeds, cold weather vegetables, as well as hardy annual flowers and herbs will work great with winter sowing.
If you’re unsure whether certain types of seeds will work or not, then check the seed packets. There are certain keywords to look for that will tell you if that is the right type of seed…
- “self sowing”
- “direct sow outside in the fall”
- “direct sow outside in early spring”
- “cold stratification”
- “cold hardy”
- “perennial”
Various seeds that can be used for winter sowing
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 of seeds 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)
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
- Pac-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.
Purple kohlrabi grown from seed
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
Swiss chard that I grew from winter sown seeds
You can find more winter sowing seed lists here. Once you start experimenting, and seeing the similarities in the different types of seeds you can use, 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 how to mix the different seed starting methods to easily grow anything you want from seed, 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 you want so that you can save tons of money every year on garden plants! Enroll in the course and get started today!
Related Products
More Information About Winter Sowing
- When To Start Winter Sowing Your Seeds
- 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 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.
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! 🙂
Sue says
Hi Amy,
It seems I have read that not all seeds can be done with winter sowing… so if I didn’t start things in February, when can I do more… and what (it’s March 21st)? I think I have about 30 containers and I have marigolds, nasturtiums, cosmos, a few kinds of herbs, morning glory, snapdragon, moon flower, zinnia, coreopsis, lobelia. I have no idea if they will all work… but fun trying. I want to do alyssum, impatiens… and I think there were more. Anyway, I’m just not sure about the timing. Thanks! Sue
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes that’s right, not all types of seeds will work with the winter sowing method. Now would be a great time to start the alyssum, snapdragons, morning glories and moon flowers. I haven’t tried all of the seeds you have listed, but I would wait until April for the zinnia and impatiens. It does depend on where you live though. I’m in MN, and it’s still freezing here in March. If you live somewhere warmer where spring has already arrived, then you should be safe to start the others.
Linda Heaster says
Hi Amy,
I have a solar shed in zone 6, when would I start perennials, vegetables? When the sun is out it is in the 50’s inside. i am also trying winter sowing in milk containers.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I’m not familiar with a solar shed, so I’m not sure exactly. I would think that you could start perennial seeds anytime now. As for veggie seeds… it depends. You could probably start the frost hardy ones now, but definitely wait until it stays above freezing for the warm weather ones.
This will help you answer your questions about winter sowing… When To Start Winter Sowing Your Seeds
Peggy says
Thanks for bringing up the idea again of winter sowing. I would like to try that this year. Does it work with your warm weather crops as well such as tomatoes and peppers?
Amy Andrychowicz says
It depends on where you live. Lots of people winter sow warm weather crops, and have great success. Here in Minnesota, I have experimented with them and have had mixed success. Since tomatoes and peppers need a longer growing season, it works better for me to start them indoors rather than winter sow them. If you live in a warmer zone (6-7), you will have better success than I do here in z4.
Jessie says
Hi there! I am winter sowing for the first year. I have 26 containers so far. Hollyhock, columbine, mexican butterfly weed, flowering almond, canterbury bells, rocky mountain penstemon, foxglove and primrose! Right now they are frozen. 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
LOL, isn’t if funny to think of those seeds growing after they’ve been frozen solid for so long! Looks like you have winter sown a great selection of seeds there, hope they will all grow great for you!