Sharing 8 quick-growing plants for your garden this season that are great for filling bare spots, and many can be grown straight from seed.

Starting from square one in the middle of what should be prime season is something I have had to do many times over. It all seems to start the same, a plan, seedlings popping up, and then somewhere in what seemed to be a great start, it goes downhill.

An animal eats the seedlings, or perhaps we have overwatered in our zealous to see them grow. Whatever the case might be, I know I am not alone in this. That’s why I have decided to share with you these 8 quick-growing plants that are well, quick to grow!

These plants chosen today require little to care for, grow easily from seed, and most can be harvested within 60 days from sowing. Although this list does contain a few vegetables, you might be interested in this blog post, Easy To Grow Vegetables, for more ideas.

8 Quick Growing Plants

Chives

Chives offer not just a delicious light onion flavor to dishes; their beautiful purple flowers are a gorgeous addition to any garden. The plant grows in clumps and is easy to divide. Not to mention they are perennial plants, so once established, you can expect to see them come back year after year. They grow easily from seed keeping in mind the soil should be kept moist during the early stages of germination.

Zones: 3 to 9

Maturity: 60 days from seed

Care: Easy

Requirements: Chives thrive in rich, well-drained soil filled with organic matter. They prefer full sun but will tolerate light shade. The soil should be kept moist and fertile.

Use: Chives are members of the onion and garlic family, alliums; although they do not have an edible bulb, chives have a delicious mild onion flavor that you can use for garnishing dishes or adding to soups, meats, or vegetables.

Arugula

This edible annual plant is a fast-growing crop that can be harvested soon after sowing. Arugula is easy to grow straight from seed and requires very little to get started.

Zones: 3 to 11

Maturity: 20 to 50 days to harvest

Care: Easy

Requirements: Best grown in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Will benefit from compost and/or fertilizer.

Use: Make pesto; use it in salads, sandwiches, or atop pizza. This peppery and spicy green is in the same family as mustard greens.

Morning Glory

This annual ground and trellis plant is easy to grow and offers lovely blooms that open wide in the morning. The colors for this plant range from bright blue hues to purple, magenta, and even orange or bicolor in some varieties.

Zone: 2 to 11

Maturity: 120 day from seed

Care: Easy

Requirements: Morning Glory does best in neutral well-drained moist soil that is not too rich in organic matter.

Use: Acts as a beautiful ornamental ground cover or plant for a trellis. Great for filling in areas of the garden that need color.

Radishes

These are a group of root vegetables that vary in shape and size. Grown for their peppery flavor and crunch, these quick-growing vegetables are a great one to help fill in those empty spots in the garden, quickly! Bonus, the leaves of radishes are also edible and are a nutritious green to add to your diet.

Zones: 2 to 11

Maturity: 30 to 45 days from sowing to harvesting

Care: Easy

Requirements: Radishes like light, sandy soil in full sun that allows for 6 or more hours of sunlight. If grown in the shade, the vegetable will put its energy into the leaves and produce a smaller vegetable.

Use: Add delicious peppery notes and crunch to salads or sandwiches.

Zucchini

Zucchini was my very first successful vegetable to ever grow, and they are still my best crop year after year. Whether you are a beginner gardener or a pro, these plants are great to grow for abundant crops.

Zone: 3 to 9

Maturity: 45 to 55 days after sowing

Care: Easy

Requirements: Zucchini grows best in fertile, well-drained soil and need full sun with at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Some varieties are vining, so make sure if planting a vining variety, there is adequate space or a trellis.

Use: This abundant plant grows long deep green vegetables that are versatile to cook with. This plant also grows beautiful edible yellow flowers that many like to stuff with ricotta and fry, among other uses.

Zinnias

Out of all the quick-growing plants on this list, I have to say these are my favorite. If you have never grown zinnias, you are in for a treat. These flowers grow quickly from seed, come in a variety of colors and make the best floral bouquets.

Zone: 3 to 10

Maturity: 60 to 70 days after sowing

Care: Easy

Requirements: Must have full sun, about 8 or more hours a day. Can grow in afternoon shade in warmer climates. Soil should be fertile and well-drained, and rich with organic matter.

Use: Zinnias bring lots of color wherever they are planted and make lovely floral bouquets. The more you snip, the more blooms you will get with this one. At the end of the season, allow the heads to dry as they are filled with seeds to save for next year’s plantings.

Nasturtiums

This lovely edible flower grows very quickly from seed and fills in gaps rapidly. Offering beautiful green foliage and flowers that range in colors from bright red to orange and even cream-colored in some varieties.

Zones: 9 to 11

Maturity: 30 to 55 days after germination

Care: Easy

Requirements: Plant in full sun with 6 or more hours of sunlight. They can grow in partial shade but won’t bloom as well. Likes well-draining soil and does not require additional fertilizer for the most part.

Use: Used as both beautiful filler plants that vine over and spill out of whatever you plant them in. The flowers can be harvested after the plant is 6 inches tall and the leaves are equally edible. Many like to make a garden salad with these pretty flowers as they bring a gorgeous colorful element to a summer salad.

Mint

Mint varieties are not just quick growing plants but vigorously growing ones as well. It is easy to sow from seed and simple to propagate as well. But one word of caution, grow it where it can be contained, as it easily takes over garden beds.

Zones: 3 to 10

Maturity: 60 days after sowing

Care: Easy

Requirements: Mint is best when planted in full sun to partial shade. If in zones 9-10, sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon is best. Mint likes rich, well-drained soil and rich organic matter.

Use: Great for teas, additions to food for flavor, and can be used for natural remedies. This plant is also beautiful with its bright green foliage and helps to deter insects with its minty scent.

Looking for more quick-growing plants that will add curb appeal? Check out this post from Bob Villa, 10 Fast-Growing Plants For (Almost) Instant Curb Appeal.

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