Last September, I completely forgot to plant anything. I really meant to—I even bought seeds! But those seeds sat forgotten in my car’s glove compartment until January. No surprise, nothing bloomed in spring. Lesson learned. This year, I’m ahead of the game.
If you’re like me and only start thinking about gardening when your neighbor’s yard is already glowing, this list is for you. September might feel like the season’s winding down, but it’s actually one of the best times to plant certain flowers.
Why Plant Flowers in September?
September’s soil is still warm, the air is cooler, and the bugs are finally calming down. It’s perfect for flowers that need to settle in before winter so they can bloom beautifully in fall or spring. Plus, the slower pace means less frantic watering and more time to enjoy your garden.
Note About Your Region
This guide is tailored mainly for gardeners in USDA Zones 6–9. If you live in colder zones, you might need to start seeds indoors or wait until spring. Warmer zones can still plant most of these directly outside.
13 Flowers to Plant in September That Even I Didn’t Kill
1. Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana)
Pansies are the golden retrievers of flowers: happy, forgiving, and adorable. Plant them now and enjoy cheerful blooms all fall—and sometimes an early spring surprise.
- Sun: Morning sun, afternoon shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
- Tip: Keep soil moist but not soggy.
2. Violas (Viola tricolor)
Smaller but tougher cousins of pansies. My grandmother called them “cheerful little faces” — and she was right!
- Sun: Full to partial sun
- Tip: Sprinkle crushed eggshells around to deter slugs.
3. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Bright orange or yellow, and even edible! Calendulas handle light frost well and often reseed themselves for easy care.
- Tip: Deadhead regularly to encourage more blooms.
4. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet-smelling clouds of tiny flowers that bees adore. Great for edges or containers.
- Tip: Plant in pots or garden edges where they can spill over beautifully.
5. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
Once thought tricky, snapdragons are actually easy. Plant in early fall and enjoy blooms through light frost.
- Tip: Pinch young plants to promote bushier growth.
6. Dianthus (Dianthus caryophyllus)
Spicy-sweet scented flowers in pinks, reds, and whites. Perfect for a designed garden look.
- Tip: Mulch lightly to keep roots warm over winter.
7. Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis sylvatica)
Ironically, I once forgot to plant these! They thrive when planted in fall and bloom strong in spring.
- Tip: Keep soil moist until seeds sprout.
8. Iceland Poppies (Papaver nudicaule)
Show-stoppers with ruffled, dramatic blooms in spring.
- Tip: Plant directly where they’ll grow; they dislike being moved.
9. Lupines (Lupinus spp.)
Tall and elegant—perfect for a cottage garden vibe. Prefer cool weather, so September is ideal.
- Tip: Soak seeds overnight before planting for faster germination.
10. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Beautiful bell-shaped flower spikes. Note: toxic if ingested, so keep away from kids and pets.
- Tip: Morning sun and afternoon shade are best. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.
11. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Great for late planting, these sunny flowers bloom beautifully next summer.
- Tip: Divide existing plants now to multiply your garden’s beauty.
12. Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea)
Tough, low-maintenance, and reliably perennial. Plant in fall for strong blooms next year.
- Tip: Leave seed heads on through winter to feed birds.
13. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
Slow growers with delicate blooms and interesting foliage. They return every year once established.
- Tip: Don’t bury the crown when mulching—keep it exposed to prevent rot.
Quick Planting Tips for September
- Loosen the soil thoroughly before planting; don’t just poke holes.
- Add compost for nutrients, even if your soil looks good.
- Water gently after planting—just enough to moisten.
- Use mulch if cold snaps are expected, to protect roots.
- If you expect early frost, consider raised beds or containers for easier monitoring.
Common Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To
- Planting seeds too deep: Most seeds need only a light dusting of soil.
- Watering late at night: Caused mildew; water in the morning instead.
- Using expired seeds: Check dates carefully for best results.
- Not labeling: I couldn’t tell what was what—don’t repeat my mystery garden!
Lazy Gardener Hacks That Actually Work
- Use a muffin tin to space seeds evenly.
- Start seeds in cardboard egg cartons—plant the whole carton later.
- Set out a shallow dish of beer to trap slugs.
- Don’t have fancy tools? A kitchen spoon and fork work just fine.
- Save coffee grounds to enrich soil.
- Label plants with popsicle sticks and waterproof markers.
Container Gardening Bonus
If your garden space is limited or frost is early, many of these flowers do great in pots—especially pansies, sweet alyssum, and violas.
When Will These Flowers Bloom?
| Flower | Bloom Time |
|---|---|
| Pansies | Fall and early spring |
| Calendula | Fall to early winter |
| Snapdragons | Fall through frost |
| Forget-Me-Nots | Early spring |
| Iceland Poppies | Spring |
| Lupines | Late spring to summer |
| Foxglove | Late spring |
| Black-Eyed Susan | Summer |
| Coneflowers | Summer |
| Columbine | Spring to early summer |
September Isn’t Too Late. It’s Just Right.
If it’s already mid-September and you haven’t planted yet, don’t worry! These flowers will settle in before winter and reward you in fall or spring. Even if your garden looks wild right now (mine had a tomato growing out of an old boot!), it’s never too late to start.
So grab your gloves, compost, and maybe a curious cat, and make this September the one where everything blooms—on purpose this time.
𝐈’𝐦 Harley Rose 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐦💙.
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐞, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞.
