If you love gardening but don’t want to go through the hassle of replanting every season, self-seeding plants are the perfect solution. These plants drop their seeds naturally, ensuring that they come back year after year with minimal effort. Not only do they save time and money, but they also help create a more sustainable and thriving garden.
In this article, we’ll explore 18 incredible plants that self-seed and provide tips on how to grow them successfully. Whether you’re a beginner gardener or an experienced green thumb, these plants will make your garden flourish effortlessly.
What Are Self-Seeding Plants?
Self-seeding plants are those that naturally drop seeds after flowering. These seeds remain in the soil and germinate the following season without any intervention. Unlike perennials that grow from the same roots, self-seeders rely on their seeds to continue their lifecycle.
The best part? You only need to plant them once! After that, they will regrow year after year, often adapting to the conditions of your garden and becoming stronger over time.
18 Self-Seeding Plants for an Effortless Garden
1. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Also known as pot marigold, calendula is a bright and cheerful flower that reseeds itself easily. It’s also packed with medicinal properties, making it a great addition to your garden.
How to grow:
- Prefers full sun to partial shade.
- Thrives in well-draining soil.
- Allow flowers to mature and drop seeds naturally.
2. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
If you’ve ever had volunteer tomato plants pop up in unexpected places, you already know how well they self-seed. Fallen tomatoes naturally spread their seeds, leading to surprise seedlings in the next season.
How to grow:
- Grow in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Let a few tomatoes rot on the ground to allow reseeding.
- Thin seedlings in spring for healthier growth.
3. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Lettuce is a fantastic cool-season crop that bolts (flowers) in warm weather. When this happens, it produces plenty of seeds for the next season.
How to grow:
- Plant in cooler months for best results.
- Leave a few plants to flower and drop seeds.
- Thin out young seedlings as they emerge.
4. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Cilantro grows quickly and tends to bolt in warm weather, producing seeds (coriander) that will sprout again when conditions are right.
How to grow:
- Prefers cool weather and well-draining soil.
- Allow the plant to flower and form seed heads.
- Collect or let seeds fall naturally for next season’s growth.
5. Pumpkins & Squash (Cucurbita spp.)
Pumpkins and squash are prolific self-seeders, especially if you leave a few fruits to decompose in your garden.
How to grow:
- Plant in rich, well-draining soil with plenty of sun.
- Allow fruits to naturally break down and release seeds.
- Thin seedlings as needed to prevent overcrowding.
6. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is an aromatic herb that flowers and drops seeds easily, ensuring you have a fresh supply every season.
How to grow:
- Prefers warm weather and full sun.
- Allow some plants to bolt and produce seeds.
- Collect seeds or let them fall naturally for next season’s crop.
7. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives are hardy perennials that spread easily by dropping their seeds.
How to grow:
- Grow in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Allow flowers to bloom and set seed.
- Remove excess seedlings if they spread too much.
8. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Parsley is a biennial that self-seeds readily when left to flower.
How to grow:
- Prefers partial shade to full sun.
- Allow some plants to flower in their second year.
- Seeds will drop and grow naturally the following season.
9. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Spinach thrives in cool weather and quickly bolts in warm conditions, dropping seeds that will sprout again when temperatures cool.
How to grow:
- Plant in early spring or fall.
- Let plants bolt and set seed.
- Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
10. Carrots (Daucus carota)
Carrots, if left to flower, will drop seeds and regrow in the next season.
How to grow:
- Plant in loose, sandy soil for best results.
- Leave a few plants to flower and drop seeds.
- Thin seedlings for healthy growth.
11. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Dill is a fast-growing herb that reseeds itself readily.
How to grow:
- Prefers full sun and well-draining soil.
- Allow plants to flower and set seed.
- Seeds will drop and regrow naturally.
12. Poppies (Papaver spp.)
Poppies scatter their seeds far and wide, ensuring a fresh display of flowers each year.
How to grow:
- Prefer well-drained soil and full sun.
- Let seed heads dry and drop seeds.
- New plants will emerge in early spring.
13. Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea)
A nutritious leafy green that self-seeds easily.
How to grow:
- Grow in cool weather for best results.
- Let a few plants bolt and set seed.
- New plants will emerge when conditions are right.
14. Radishes (Raphanus sativus)
Radishes flower and drop seeds quickly, leading to a continuous harvest.
How to grow:
- Grow in full sun and well-drained soil.
- Allow some plants to flower and set seed.
- Thin new seedlings as they appear.
15. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Birds may eat some seeds, but many will sprout into new plants.
How to grow:
- Prefers full sun and nutrient-rich soil.
- Leave seed heads for reseeding.
- Protect young seedlings from pests.
16. Arugula (Eruca vesicaria)
Arugula bolts quickly, producing plenty of seeds.
How to grow:
- Grow in cool weather for best results.
- Allow some plants to flower and drop seeds.
- Thin seedlings as needed.
17. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
These flowers self-seed easily and help repel pests.
How to grow:
- Grow in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Allow seed heads to dry and drop.
- New plants will sprout in the next season.
18. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
This fragrant herb spreads easily by dropping seeds.
How to grow:
- Prefers full sun and light, well-drained soil.
- Let flowers mature and drop seeds.
- Thin new plants as needed.
Final Thoughts
Self-seeding plants are a game-changer for any garden. By choosing these 18 plants, you’ll enjoy a lush, productive garden year after year with minimal effort. Whether you want fresh herbs, vegetables, or beautiful flowers, these plants will keep giving without the need to replant.
Which of these self-seeding plants do you already grow? Let us know in the comments! 🌿👇