I’ll be honest, when I first started gardening, I didn’t realize some flowers could just come back on their own.
I thought I had to start from scratch every spring. But once I found out about self-seeding annuals, I felt like I cracked a little garden cheat code.
If you’re looking for flowers that bloom bright and return without fuss, here are 22 of my personal favorites that pretty much handle themselves.
1. Cosmos
Cosmos were one of the first flowers I ever planted, and I was shocked when they popped up again the next year like magic.
These tall, airy flowers look delicate, but they’re tougher than they seem. I plant them once, and by late summer they’re everywhere, like they never left.
If you don’t clear too much mulch or soil in fall, you’ll see them again without lifting a finger. I always leave a few flowers to dry naturally.
2. Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Calendulas have this warm, golden color that makes my garden feel sunny, even when it’s cloudy. They’re cheerful without being showy.
What I love most is how early they bloom. I usually see the first flowers while others are still waking up. And once they start seeding, they just don’t stop.
I let a few heads dry out on the stem, then give them a gentle shake into the soil. That’s all it takes for them to come back in full color.
3. Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
Nigella always surprises me. One season I planted them in a back corner, forgot about them, and there they were again the next spring.
Their wispy leaves and soft blue flowers make them feel whimsical, like something from a storybook.
The seed pods are my favorite part. They look like tiny paper lanterns. I just leave them alone, and next year they quietly return.
4. Cleome (Spider Flower)
Cleome is a little wild, but in a good way. When it grows tall and throws out those spiky flowers, it’s like a mini firework show.
The first time I saw the seeds shoot out, I jumped. Seriously. They scatter themselves all over, so I try not to plant them near anything super neat.
I’ve learned to let them have their space. They do their thing best when they’re not crowded or trimmed too much.
5. Larkspur
Larkspur reminds me of spring mornings. It blooms early, and those purples and blues always make me smile when the garden’s still quiet.
I learned the hard way, don’t move them once they sprout. They hate being disturbed. I just sprinkle seeds and leave them be.
Each year, I find little clusters popping up in the same spot, even when I forget they’re there. It’s like a gentle hello from last season.
6. California Poppy
These orange poppies bring such a burst of color. I planted them once by the mailbox, and they’ve come back for years now.
They don’t mind tough soil or dry days, which is great for me since I’m not always on top of watering.
To keep them reseeding, I stop deadheading in late summer. Letting a few go to seed makes all the difference for next spring.
7. Four O’Clocks
I always get questions about these. They open in the afternoon, like they’re waiting for the sun to relax before showing off.
Their scent is soft but noticeable, especially when there’s a light breeze. I love walking past them in the evening.
When the seeds fall, they look like little black beads. I leave them on the ground and by next year, boom, same spot, same blooms.
8. Verbena bonariensis
Verbena bonariensis is so graceful. It’s tall, with delicate clusters of purple flowers that kind of float above everything else.
Butterflies are obsessed with it. I see them every morning fluttering around like they own the place.
I don’t do anything special for reseeding. The seeds just fall naturally. Come spring, I spot the little seedlings and let them grow freely.
9. Sweet Alyssum
If you want something low and fragrant, sweet alyssum is perfect. I planted a few once and now they fill up empty corners on their own.
Their scent is light and sweet, almost like honey. And they keep blooming through the cooler months, which I love.
I usually let them go to seed in fall, and they pop back up along walkways and borders, like tiny white carpets.
10. Zinnia
Zinnias were my mom’s favorite, so I always keep them in the garden. They’re bold, bright, and come in every color you can think of.
They’re easy to grow from seed, and even easier when they do it themselves. I let some flowers dry completely, and they scatter their own seeds.
In spring, I usually find little zinnia babies growing right where their “mothers” were. It’s a sweet little garden tradition.
11. Coreopsis (Tickseed)
I added coreopsis to a sunny corner one year and didn’t think much of it, until the next summer when it came back stronger.
The flowers are simple and cheerful, mostly yellow with little red accents. They’re drought-tolerant and don’t ask for much.
I leave a few seed heads to dry naturally, then shake them out gently before cleaning up the beds. That’s all it takes to keep them coming back.
12. Bachelor’s Buttons (Cornflower)
I’ve always loved that blue. Bachelor’s buttons have this bright, true-blue color you don’t see often in the garden.
They’re one of the easiest flowers I’ve grown. They even popped up in the gravel once when I accidentally dropped seeds.
I usually let the last wave of flowers go to seed in late summer. By spring, I’ll see little volunteers lining the garden edges again.
13. Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)
I planted these on a whim once, and they became the tallest things in the yard. The bold orange blooms draw in butterflies like magnets.
They grow tall, sometimes up to six feet, so I usually tuck them in the back of a sunny bed to let them shine.
The seeds are large and easy to gather. I save a few, but most fall naturally and come back just fine in warm spots.
14. Clarkia
Clarkia is such a gentle surprise. I almost forgot I’d planted it until the soft pink and lavender flowers showed up mid-season.
It does best in cooler areas or during spring, so I like planting it early. Once established, it quietly drops seeds.
If you don’t disturb the soil too much over winter, they’ll come right back in the same area, even with minimal care.
15. Borage
This one’s a little different, it’s edible! Borage grows fuzzy leaves and pretty blue, star-shaped flowers that bees absolutely adore.
I love the way it fills in awkward spots. Once it blooms, the seed heads are easy to spot and spill out naturally.
I usually let it do its thing, and by the next year, new plants sprout in random but charming places around the garden.
16. Impatiens Balsamina (Touch-Me-Not)
This one has a funny habit. When the seed pods are ripe and you touch them, they pop open and fling seeds everywhere, kids love it.
They grow fast and handle heat pretty well, especially in a partly shaded area. Their colors range from pink to deep red.
I let a few go wild near my porch, and now they’ve turned that little patch into a regular flower party each summer.
17. Orlaya (White Lace Flower)
If you like Queen Anne’s lace but want a gentler version, orlaya is the one. It’s light, airy, and doesn’t spread aggressively.
I tucked some into my veggie patch for fun, and now they reseed themselves between the tomatoes every year.
The flowers dry into paper-like seed heads. I leave a few to stand in fall, and that’s enough to keep them around.
18. Linaria (Toadflax)
These are like tiny snapdragons. Linaria grows upright with delicate flowers in soft pastels that look painted on.
They thrive in dry, sandy soil, which is a win for me since my back garden doesn’t get much water.
Once they bloom, I ignore them. They quietly scatter their seeds, and in spring, I always find a few popping up where I least expect.
19. Annual Phlox
This one adds color fast. I use annual phlox to fill gaps between perennials or soften the edges of the garden path.
It comes in bright pinks, purples, and whites. I love mixing it with other self-seeders for a more relaxed, cottage-style look.
After bloom season, I let some go to seed naturally. They show up again with the spring rains like nothing ever changed.
20. Strawflower (Helichrysum)
Strawflowers look like they’re made of paper. They hold their shape long after blooming, which makes them great for dried bouquets.
They like sunny, dry spots and keep blooming well into fall. Bees and butterflies don’t mind the crispy petals either.
I let the seed heads dry on the plant and scatter naturally. Next spring, a few always pop up in the same spot or nearby.
Final Thoughts
If you’re like me, you probably don’t want to be out in the dirt every spring planting from scratch. With these self-seeding annuals, you don’t have to.
I pick a few favorites, let them do their thing, and enjoy the surprise each season. It’s low effort, but still feels rewarding.
Once you start using flowers that return on their own, you might wonder why you ever bothered replanting each year. I sure did.