Three years ago, I decided to try growing my own cut flowers – and honestly, I’ve never looked back. From about April through to October, I haven’t needed to buy a single bouquet of flowers. My garden quite literally fills my home with colour and scent, and there’s something so grounding and magical about stepping outside, snipping a few stems, and arranging them in a vase in the kitchen.
This year, I’ve set myself a new goal: every single guest who visits my house is going home with a bunch of hand picked flowers. Whether it’s a jam jar of sweet little blooms or a full, wild style bouquet, I want to be that person who sends people off with armfuls of joy. And with the right mix of flowers, it’s actually more doable than you might think.
The Easiest Cut Flowers to Grow
If you’re thinking of starting your own cut flower patch, don’t overcomplicate it. These are the ones I always recommend to beginners – they’re easy, reliable, and give you so much back with very little effort.
California Poppies – These self seed like mad and don’t mind poor soil. They come in dreamy sunset tones and are brilliant for filling gaps.
Lavender – So low maintenance and looks beautiful both fresh and dried. Plus the bees love it, which is always a bonus.
Cosmos – My go to for light, delicate prettiness. They just keep coming all summer long if you keep picking them.
Roses: I’m obsessed. The scent, the shape, the colours. Everyone always thinks they’re peonies when they see mine (David Austin roses). I don’t find them to be particularly high maintenance either, and they’re always a favourite with people, especially if you’re after those big, romantic blooms.
Low Maintenance Favourites
If you want flowers that more or less look after themselves, try:
Cornflowers – they thrive in most soils, self-seed, and make gorgeous wild-style arrangements.
Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist) – so pretty, no faff, and even the seed pods look beautiful in a bouquet.
Sunflowers – just give them a sunny spot and they’ll do their thing. The smaller varieties are great for cutting.
Zinnias – super low effort and incredibly cheerful. They’re also surprisingly long-lasting in a vase.
Scabiosa – these come in lots of shades, grow easily, and have lovely soft textures that mix well with just about anything.
What to Grow in Poor Soil
If your soil’s not perfect, don’t worry. Loads of flowers will still thrive. These ones are ideal for less-than-ideal conditions:
Calendula – bright, cheery, and basically grows anywhere.
Sweet Williams – great structure, clove-like scent, and no fuss.
Larkspur – perfect for vertical interest and cottage garden vibes.
Achillea (Yarrow) – does brilliantly in poor soil and dries well too.
Ammi Majus – airy, delicate filler flower that looks like a fancy wild carrot, and does surprisingly well in tougher spots.
There’s something genuinely joyful about watching something you’ve grown from seed burst into bloom. It inspires so much else too – I often find myself sketching little floral arrangements in my notebook or planning out a meal just so I can have matching flowers on the table. It connects me to the seasons, gives me space to slow down, and adds beauty to everyday moments without even trying.
You honestly don’t need a huge garden or loads of time to start growing your own cut flowers – just a patch of soil, some seeds, and a bit of patience. Trust me, once those first buds start to appear, you’ll be hooked.