6 Self-Pollinating Flowers That Produce Showy Blooms on Their Own

Background of yellow and red Lantana camara flowers — Credit:
Musat / Getty Images

Self-pollinating plants have male and female parts, allowing the pollen to travel from the anther in the stamen to the stigma in the pistil. These plants can be fertilized without the help of pollinators, like bees, butterflies, and birds, meaning they can put on a show in your garden all on their own. Ahead, we're sharing the self-pollinating flowers gardening experts recommend growing in your garden for a prolific show of blooms without any help.

Peggy Anne Montgomery, horticulturist with Flowerbulb.eu, one of the largest knowledge bases about flower bulbs
Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University AgCenter
Adrienne Roethling head gardener for a private estate and former curator of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens at Plant Delights Nursery

01 of 06

Tulips

Beautiful garden with tulip flowers — Credit:
Getty Images

Tulips (Tulipa) are one of the first plants to bloom during spring, filling gardens with color and cheer. These plants boast distinctive cup-shaped flowers, typically found in a wide range of colors, says Peggy Anne Montgomery, horticulturist with Flowerbulb.eu. It is self-fertile, but can also be pollinated by bees and other insects.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 4 to 28 inches tall x 6 to 9 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil

02 of 06

Daffodils

Daffodils (Narcissus) are beloved spring-flowering bulbs with vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers and bright colors. "They are characterized by a central 'cup' or 'trumpet' (corona) surrounded by petals (perianth)," says Montgomery. "Daffodils typically come in shades of yellow, white, orange, and pink, with some varieties exhibiting two-tone colors." These plants are primarily pollinated by a combination of sell-pollination and insect pollination by bees, butterflies, and moths.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 8 to 30 inches tall x 6 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil

03 of 06

Sunflowers

Sunflowers (Helianthus) are known for their bright flower heads in shades of yellow, orange, maroon, and other charming colors. "The discs typically have both male and female parts where, if the timing is right, it can self-pollinate," says Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University AgCenter. However, he adds that self-pollination may yield less seeds than cross-pollination.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 2 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, sandy or loamy soil

04 of 06

Lantana

Common lantana (Lantana camara) is a perennial plant that is grown as an annual in most northern and central states, says Abdi. The flowers come in all sorts of colors such as, red, yellow, orange, pink, and purple, as well as combinations of multiple colors. "The tubular flowers open gradually and, while the pollen matures, it falls and reaches the female," he adds.

Zones: 7 to 11
Size: 1 to 6 feet tall x 3 to 5 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

05 of 06

Zinnias

Zinnias (Zinnia spp.) bring cheer to the garden and indoors as a cut flower, says Adrienne Roethling, head gardener for a private estate. "With both male and female parts, this flower can self-pollinate. However, it is very attractive to pollinators (especially butterflies), so that aids in more complete pollination," she says.

Zones: 7 to 11
Size: 8 to 48 inches tall x 6 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

06 of 06

Marigolds

Often seen in yellow or orange shades, marigolds (Tagetes) are showy flowers that make incredible companion plants. "The male and female parts of the flower are in close proximity, making self-pollination possible," says Abdi. "However, they are also a popular pollinator plant, so they often benefit from some insect assistance."