23 Flowers To Plant In December That Actually Work
23 Flowers To Plant In December That Actually Work
December feels like the wrong time to think about flowers, but plenty of gardeners quietly get a head start this month — whether that means sowing hardy annuals outdoors in mild climates, starting seeds indoors under grow lights, or planting bulbs and bare-root perennials while the ground is still workable. If you’re in USDA zones 8-11, you actually have more options than you’d think. And even in colder zones, indoor starts and cold-stratified seeds mean December isn’t a dead month for flower lovers. Here are 23 flowers to plant in December that actually work, depending on your climate and setup.
Pansies
Pansies are the workhorses of cool-season color, and December is prime planting time in mild-winter regions. Their ruffled, face-like blooms come in nearly every color combination imaginable, which is part of why gardeners keep coming back to them year after year.
They want full sun to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil with regular moisture. Pansies are frost hardy down into the 20s°F, making them one of the few flowers that genuinely shrug off a cold snap. They’re compact, fast-growing, and perfect for containers, borders, or filling gaps near your porch.
Violas
Violas are basically pansies’ smaller, tougher cousin. The blooms are daintier, but they hold up even better to freezing temperatures and keep flowering through winter in zones 6-9.
Plant them in well-draining soil with consistent moisture, in full sun to light shade. They’re a favorite for window boxes and rock gardens, and they self-seed readily, so don’t be surprised if you get volunteers popping up next fall.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons planted in December in mild climates will often bloom by late winter, giving you tall spikes of color when little else is happening in the garden. Kids love squeezing the blooms to make the “dragon mouth” open and close — a small joy that never really gets old.
They prefer full sun and fertile, well-draining soil. Snapdragons are moderately frost tolerant and do well in raised beds or containers. Deadhead regularly to keep the blooms coming.
Sweet Peas
If you want fragrance in your garden, sweet peas are hard to beat. December sowing (outdoors in mild zones, or indoors for a head start) gives you strong root systems before the vines take off in spring.
They like full sun, rich soil, and a trellis or fence to climb. Sweet peas are cool-season lovers that actually struggle once summer heat arrives, so an early start is genuinely an advantage here, not just a nice-to-have.
Calendula
Calendula, sometimes called pot marigold, is one of those flowers that just keeps giving — cheerful orange and yellow blooms, edible petals, and a reputation as a natural pest deterrent in the vegetable garden.
It grows in full sun to partial shade and tolerates average, well-draining soil without complaint. Calendula is fast-growing and frost tolerant, making it a solid December sow in zones 8 and warmer.
Larkspur
Larkspur seeds actually need a period of cold to germinate well, which makes December an ideal outdoor sowing month in many regions. The tall spires of blue, pink, and white flowers look fantastic in cottage-style borders.
Give it full sun and well-draining soil. Larkspur is drought tolerant once established and self-seeds generously, so a single December planting can turn into a recurring spring show for years.
Bachelor’s Buttons
Also called cornflowers, these cheerful blue (and sometimes pink or white) blooms are about as low-maintenance as flowers get. They’re a classic cottage garden staple and genuinely pollinator-friendly.
Bachelor’s buttons prefer full sun and average, well-draining soil — they actually dislike overly rich soil, which leads to floppy growth. Direct sow outdoors in December in mild climates for an early spring bloom.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum forms a low, spreading carpet of tiny flowers with a honey-like scent that pollinators can’t resist. It’s an excellent choice for edging beds or spilling over container rims.
It grows best in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. Sweet alyssum is fast-growing and can be sown directly outdoors in mild winter zones, or started indoors elsewhere.
Stock (Matthiola)
Stock flowers bring a clove-like fragrance and dense spikes of ruffled blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white. They’re a favorite among cut-flower gardeners for good reason.
Plant in full sun and rich, well-draining soil. Stock tolerates light frost and actually performs better with cool temperatures during establishment, so December planting in zones 8-10 sets it up nicely.
Ranunculus
Ranunculus corms planted in December (in mild climates) reward you with some of the most extravagant, rose-like blooms in the flower world. Florists adore them, and honestly, once you grow your own, you’ll understand why.
Soak the corms before planting, then place them in full sun and well-draining soil. Ranunculus is not particularly drought tolerant and appreciates consistent moisture, but the payoff in bloom quality is hard to match.
Anemones
Anemones pair beautifully with ranunculus and share similar planting requirements — soak the corms, then plant in well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade. December planting in mild zones gives you late winter to spring blooms.
The daisy-like or poppy-like flowers come in jewel tones that look almost too vivid to be real. They’re a wonderful cut flower and reasonably deer resistant, which is always a bonus.
Iceland Poppies
Iceland poppies produce papery, tissue-thin blooms in bright oranges, yellows, and pinks that seem to glow in low winter light. They’re genuinely one of the prettiest cool-season flowers you can grow.
They need full sun and well-draining soil, and they’re quite frost hardy. Start them from seed indoors in December, or direct sow outdoors in zones 7 and warmer for blooms through late winter.
English Primrose
Primroses are compact, early-blooming perennials that practically beg to be planted in December in mild climates. The rosettes of foliage stay low, with clusters of bright flowers rising just above them.
Give them partial shade and moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Primroses are a great choice for woodland gardens or shaded containers, and they’re generally rabbit resistant too.
Cyclamen
Hardy cyclamen is an underused gem for winter gardens, with its swept-back petals and marbled foliage adding interest even when the blooms fade. It’s a slow-growing perennial that rewards patience.
Plant tubers in partial to full shade in well-draining, humus-rich soil. Cyclamen prefers consistent but not soggy moisture, and it’s a lovely companion for hellebores and ferns in a shaded bed.
Hellebores
Hellebores, often called Lenten roses, are practically the poster child for winter-blooming perennials. Their nodding flowers in shades of white, pink, and deep maroon show up when almost nothing else dares to bloom.
They thrive in partial to full shade with rich, well-draining soil. Hellebores are slow to establish but long-lived once settled, and they’re notably deer and rabbit resistant — a genuine relief for anyone gardening near wildlife.
Nemesia
Nemesia offers a burst of two-toned, fragrant flowers that do exceptionally well in cool weather. It’s a compact bloomer that works nicely in containers, hanging baskets, or the front of a border.
Plant in full sun to partial shade with fertile, well-draining soil. Nemesia isn’t especially drought tolerant, so keep the soil evenly moist for the best flower production through winter and spring.
Dianthus
Dianthus, including varieties like Sweet William, brings a spicy-clove fragrance and frilly-edged blooms in pinks, reds, and whites. It’s a reliable performer that many gardeners plant and then more or less forget about, in the best way.
It prefers full sun and well-draining, slightly alkaline soil. Dianthus is frost hardy and drought tolerant once established, and it makes a lovely companion planted alongside roses.
Delphinium
Delphiniums are the showstoppers of the cottage garden, with towering spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white blooms. December sowing gives seeds the cold exposure many varieties need to germinate reliably.
They want full sun and rich, well-draining soil with consistent moisture. Delphiniums can be finicky about heat and humidity, so gardeners in cooler zones tend to have the most success with them.
Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
Nigella’s wispy, thread-like foliage surrounds delicate blue, white, or pink flowers, followed by ornamental seed pods that dried-flower arrangers love. It has an airy, almost whimsical look in the garden.
Direct sow outdoors in December in mild climates — nigella actually resents transplanting, so starting it in place is the way to go. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil, and it self-seeds freely once established.
Godetia (Farewell-to-Spring)
Godetia produces cup-shaped, satiny flowers in shades of pink, lavender, and salmon that look almost artificial in their smoothness. It’s an underrated annual that deserves more attention from home gardeners.
It grows best in full sun to light shade with well-draining, moderately fertile soil. Godetia actually prefers cooler temperatures and can struggle in rich soil or excessive fertilizer, so go easy on the feeding.
Clarkia
Clarkia is a close relative of godetia and shares its preference for cool weather and lean soil. The flowers are airy and star-shaped, clustering along tall, slender stems that sway nicely in a breeze.
Plant in full sun and well-draining soil that isn’t overly rich. Clarkia is drought tolerant once established and makes an excellent, low-fuss cut flower for spring bouquets.
Foxglove
Foxglove’s towering spires of bell-shaped flowers are dramatic enough to anchor an entire border. Many varieties are biennial, meaning a December start (indoors or in mild-climate beds) sets you up for blooms the following year.
It prefers partial shade to full sun and rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Foxglove is deer resistant, which makes sense once you know every part of the plant is toxic — worth keeping in mind if you have curious pets or small children around.
Sweet William
Sweet William rounds out this list with clusters of small, spicy-scented flowers in reds, pinks, and whites, often with contrasting eyes. It’s technically a biennial or short-lived perennial, and December sowing gives it the cold period it needs to flower well.
Plant in full sun to partial shade with fertile, well-draining soil. Sweet William is a classic cutting garden flower and pairs beautifully with dianthus, given how closely related the two are.
Whichever of these you decide to try, the real trick with December planting is matching the flower to your zone and being honest about your setup — a sunny windowsill with grow lights can make up for a lot if your winters are harsh. Start small, keep an eye on soil moisture, and you’ll likely find more of these actually work than you expected.