Looking to give your garden a quick boost before the fireworks start? These fast-growing plants can fill empty spots just in time for your Fourth of July celebrations. With a mix of flowers, vegetables, herbs, and foliage, this list features twenty-five vibrant choices that grow fast and thrive in summer. Whether you need instant color, tasty greens, or vertical accents, there is something here for every garden.
1. Zinnias
Zinnias are bright, bold, and one of the quickest blooming flowers from seed. They love full sun and warm soil, often flowering in as little as 40 days. With minimal care, they produce continuous blooms all summer long. Their rich colors attract butterflies and make great cut flowers. You can plant them directly into garden beds or containers. Choose dwarf or tall varieties depending on the space you want to fill.
2. Sunflowers (Dwarf Varieties)
Dwarf sunflowers are compact powerhouses that grow fast and bloom early. Some varieties flower in just 50 to 60 days, making them perfect for summer fill-ins. They bring cheer and charm to garden borders and patio pots. Their golden petals also attract pollinators like bees. These sunflowers usually stay under three feet tall. Just give them full sun and steady watering.
3. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums offer both beauty and utility, with edible flowers and leaves. They grow quickly from seed and bloom in about 30 to 45 days. The trailing types fill in gaps beautifully, while bush varieties are neat and compact. Nasturtiums thrive in poor soil, making them perfect for neglected spots. Their bright red, orange, and yellow blooms bring vibrant color. They also help repel common garden pests.
4. Cosmos
Cosmos are airy, daisy-like flowers that bloom quickly and keep going until frost. They prefer full sun and tolerate poor soil with ease. From seed, they often start blooming in just over a month. Their tall, feathery stems add a graceful texture to flower beds. Cosmos come in many shades, including pink, white, and orange. They reseed easily, offering long-lasting beauty.
5. Marigolds
Marigolds are dependable summer favorites that grow fast from seed or starter plants. They bloom in as little as 45 to 50 days and love the heat. These cheerful flowers come in yellow, gold, and deep orange shades. Compact varieties work well along borders or in pots. Marigolds are also known for deterring pests, especially near vegetables. Deadheading keeps them flowering non-stop.
6. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum spreads quickly with clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers. It forms a soft white, pink, or purple carpet that blooms within weeks. This low-growing plant is perfect for edging walkways or filling container gaps. It also attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies. Alyssum prefers cooler weather but still performs well in early summer. Water regularly for lush, trailing growth.
7. Morning Glories
Morning glories climb fast and start blooming just six weeks after planting. Their trumpet-shaped flowers open fresh each morning in shades of blue, purple, and pink. These vines love full sun and a trellis to climb. They are excellent for covering fences or hiding bare garden walls. Morning glories grow from seed easily. Just soak the seeds first to speed up germination.
8. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a leafy green with colorful stalks that stand out in garden beds. It grows fast and is ready to harvest in 30 to 40 days. This plant handles summer heat better than spinach and produces leaves for weeks. You can use it in salads or cooked dishes. Its bright pink, yellow, and red stems add a decorative touch. Swiss chard thrives in full sun or part shade.
9. Arugula
Arugula is a peppery green that sprouts in just days and matures in under a month. It grows well in cooler parts of the garden or during early summer. You can harvest young leaves for salads or wait for larger greens. Arugula bolts in extreme heat, but frequent picking helps extend the season. It is ideal for container gardens or small raised beds. Sow it in intervals for a steady supply.
10. Basil
Basil grows fast in warm weather and gives a steady supply of fragrant leaves. It can be ready for small harvests just 25 days after planting. Pinch back the tips to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering. Basil thrives in pots or garden beds near tomatoes. There are many varieties, including sweet, Thai, and lemon basil. Regular watering and full sun are key to lush growth.
11. Thyme
Thyme is a low-growing herb that fills small spaces quickly with fragrant greenery. While perennial in some zones, it grows fast in warm weather when started from cuttings or transplants. It prefers well-drained soil and lots of sun. Thyme can trail over borders or tuck into rock gardens. When it flowers, it attracts pollinators. Harvest small sprigs for cooking throughout the season.
12. Radishes
Radishes are among the fastest-growing vegetables, maturing in 20 to 30 days. They grow best in loose soil with steady watering. Their crisp, spicy roots are ideal for salads and pickling. Radishes also come in many shapes and colors, adding fun to garden rows. Harvest promptly to keep them tender. You can plant them in gaps between slower crops for quick results.
13. Green Beans (Bush Type)
Bush beans proliferate and produce harvests within 45 to 60 days. These compact plants do not need support and fit neatly into small spaces. They thrive in warm soil and sunny spots. Beans also improve soil by fixing nitrogen. Plant a short row and pick every few days to keep them producing. Choose snap or filet varieties for tender pods.
14. Turnips
Turnips grow quickly and offer edible roots and greens. Depending on the variety, they mature in about 40 to 60 days. The greens can be harvested earlier for cooking. Turnips do best in cool to warm weather and loose soil. They are an excellent option for filling raised beds or side rows. Small varieties are especially fast and flavorful.
15. Squash (Zucchini)
Zucchini is a rapid grower, producing fruit about 50 days after planting. The plants spread out with large leaves, quickly covering bare soil. Zucchini grows best with full sun and lots of water. Harvest the squash when they are small and tender. One or two plants can yield a generous summer crop. Their bold yellow flowers also attract bees.
16. Cucumbers (Bush Type)
Bush cucumbers grow compact and fast, making them great for containers or small beds. They produce fruit in about 50 to 60 days. These plants need plenty of sunlight and consistent watering. Their crisp, juicy cucumbers are perfect for snacking or pickling. Choose early varieties for the fastest results. A small trellis can help support bush types and save space.
17. Purple Hyacinth Bean
Purple hyacinth bean is a striking vine that fills vertical spaces fast. It produces heart-shaped leaves, purple flowers, and shiny pods within 60 days. This heat-loving plant adds both height and drama. It climbs fences, arbors, or trellises with ease. While the raw beans are not edible, the plant is often used for its bold ornamental value. Give it full sun and room to grow.
18. Amaranth
Amaranth grows tall and lush with vibrant red or green foliage. It matures in about 50 to 60 days and thrives in warm conditions. Some varieties produce edible leaves, while others are grown for ornamental plumes. This plant adds height and color to empty garden spots. Once established, amaranth is drought-tolerant. It is a favorite for pollinators and makes a dramatic summer filler.
19. Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme is a low-growing ground cover that spreads fast and smells terrific. It forms a mat of small, soft leaves and tiny flowers in pink or purple. It fills gaps between stepping stones or along pathways in just a few weeks. This plant needs full sun and good drainage. Once established, it handles heat and drought well. It also attracts bees when blooming.
20. Ornamental Millet
Ornamental millet brings height and texture with its upright grass blades and deep purple seed heads. It grows fast and can reach up to four feet in about two months. This plant thrives in sunny spots and adds contrast to flower beds. It pairs well with bright annuals or tall perennials. Millet is also deer-resistant and attracts birds. Use it to create movement and structure.
21. Coleus
Coleus grows rapidly and shows bold red, lime, and purple foliage. It fills containers and shady corners with color, so no flowers are needed. Coleus can be grown from seed or cuttings and matures in about six weeks. Pinch back stems to keep it bushy and full. It thrives in part shade with regular watering. You can also use it as a houseplant after summer ends.
22. Borage
Borage is a fast-growing herb with blue star-shaped flowers and edible leaves. It blooms within 50 to 60 days and attracts bees and butterflies. Borage grows upright and fills garden spots quickly. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. The leaves have a cucumber-like flavor and are great in salads. Let it reseed for more plants the following year.
23. Violas
Violas are cool-season flowers that bloom fast when planted early in the summer. These dainty blooms come in purples, yellows, and blues. Violas are perfect for containers, borders, or shady garden spots. They mature in as little as 40 days from transplant. Keep them moist and deadhead to prolong flowering. Their petals are edible and often used to decorate dishes.
24. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm grows fast in early summer and spreads by seed and root. Its fragrant leaves release a citrusy scent when crushed. This herb is perfect for teas or potpourri and attracts pollinators. It grows well in both sun and part shade. Lemon balm can be invasive, so consider growing it in a container. Trim it often to encourage fresh, bushy growth.
25. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff is a shade-loving ground cover that spreads quickly in moist soil. It has whorled green leaves and tiny white flowers in late spring or early summer. This plant is perfect for under trees or shady corners. Once established, it forms a thick mat in just one season. When dried, sweet woodruff has a light vanilla scent. It thrives in cooler garden spots.
Summer is Not Over Yet
Just because it's mid-season does not mean it's too late to refresh your garden. These quick-growing plants allow you to make a bold impact by the Fourth of July and enjoy continued beauty or harvest well into summer. With the right mix of sun, soil, and watering, empty spaces can burst into life faster than expected. Try one or more and give your garden the glow-up it deserves.
Need quick color in your garden? Try 25 Fast-Growing Flowers You Can Plant Now for July Blooms.