10 Fast-Growing Flowers That Love Full Sun—and Won't Struggle in a Drought These blooms can do it all. Close Credit: 4u4me / Getty Images There are endless options to choose from when looking for beautiful flowers for your garden. But the selection can feel limited when your beds bake in the afternoon sun, and even less so when you need varieties that grow quickly. Luckily, there are flowers that are fast-growing and thrive in full sun. The beautiful options on this list germinate in a few days and flower in a few weeks to months, filling your garden with quick color and stunning blooms. Plant them in full sun areas of your garden and watch them thrive—even during periods of drought. Tabar Gifford, master gardener and partnership cultivator at American Meadows Alexander Betz, landscape designer and founder of Plant by Number 12 Fastest-Growing Plants to Add to Your Garden This Season 01 of 10 Zinnia Credit: Ildar Imashev / Getty Images Planting zinnias (Zinnia elegans) is one of the fastest ways to add color and beauty to your garden. "They germinate within five to seven days and begin blooming in six to eight weeks from sowing," says Tabar Gifford, master gardener and partnership cultivator at American Meadows. "Their fast growth makes them a favorite for gardeners who want quick, vibrant color throughout the growing season." These pollinator-friendly flowers thrive in full sun and heat, making them ideal for drought-prone and full-sun landscapes. Zones: Perennial in zones 9 to 11; annual in zones 2 to 11Size: 12 to 40 inches tall x × 12 to 18 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 02 of 10 Cosmos Credit: geargodz / GETTY IMAGES Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) grow rapidly from seed, germinating in a week with the first flowers emerging seven to eight weeks after sowing. "Their feathery foliage and airy daisy-like blooms in shades of pink, white, and crimson make them a standout in sunny garden beds," says Gifford. These low-maintenance flowers self-seed readily, often returning the following year with little effort. Zones: Perennial in zones 9 to 11; annual in zones 2 to 11Size: 36 to 60 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 03 of 10 Calendula Calendula, poppies, cosmos, zinnias and marigolds are good choices for the garden. Credit: Photo © Maria Mosolova | Getty Calendula (Calendula officinalis) fills the garden with bright golden blooms six to eight weeks after sowing. "These cheerful flowers are not only fast-growing but also cool-season hardy, making them a good early-season option for full sun areas," says Gifford. She recommends regularly deadheading this plant to keep it blooming throughout summer. Zones: Perennial in zones 9 to 11; annual in zones 2 to 11Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; moderately fertile, well-draining soil 04 of 10 Sweet Alyssum Credit: Getty Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a fast-growing ground cover that looks beautiful as edging, in sunny beds and containers, and growing between pavers. "Sweet alyssums are low-growing mats of tiny, fragrant white, pink, or purple flowers," says Alexander Betz, landscape designer and founder of Plant by Number. "They sprout in five to 10 days and blooms in six to eight weeks." Zones: Perennial in zones 9 to 11; annual in zones 2 to 11Size: 4 to 6 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil 05 of 10 Nasturtium Credit: Amit KUMAR / GETTY IMAGES Known for being incredible companion plants, nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are beloved for their bright flowers and edible leaves. "They germinate in about a week and begin blooming in six to eight weeks," says Gifford. "These sun-loving plants are perfect for container gardens, borders, or trailing over the edges of raised beds." These plants can thrive in poor soil and full sun, making them a smart choice for summer gardens. Zones: Perennial in zones 9 to 11; annual in zones 2 to 11Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; poor to average, well-draining soil 06 of 10 Morning Glory Credit: YangYin / GETTY IMAGES Add interest to sunny trellises, pergolas, and fences with morning glory (Ipomoea). "Morning glory is a twining vine with trumpet-shaped blooms in blue, purple, pink, or white," says Betz. "They sprout in five to 14 days and bloom in six to eight weeks." Zones: Perennial in zones 9 to 11; annual in zones 2 to 11Size: 10 to 15 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; average, well-draining soil 07 of 10 Plains Coreopsis Credit: wellsie82/Getty Images Plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) is a fast-growing native wildflower that thrives in hot, dry climates and poor soils. "Plains coreopsis sprouts quickly and starts blooming in as little as six weeks," says Gifford. "Its bright yellow petals with maroon centers bring classic prairie charm to full sun gardens and meadows." Plains coreopsis is beloved by pollinators and blooms prolifically for weeks at a time. Zones: Perennial in zones 4 to 9; annual in zones 2 to 11Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; dry to average, well-draining soil 08 of 10 Clarkia Credit: Tatsiana Drozd / Getty Images A West Coast native that germinates quickly, clarkia (Clarkia amoena) blooms in less than two months after planting. "Its pastel pink and lavender blossoms thrive in sunny conditions, particularly in cooler climates with dry summers," says Gifford. "This flower is well-suited to full sun borders, native plant gardens, and containers." Zones: Perennial in zones 8 to 11; annual in zones 2 to 11Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 16 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; light, sandy soil 09 of 10 Sunflower Credit: Clearphotov / GETTY IMAGES Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are fast-growing, low-maintenance plants that add vertical height and color to the garden. According to Betz, these annual flowers sprout in seven to 10 days and bloom in 60 to 90 days with proper care. Zones: Perennial in zones 9 to 10; annual in zones 2 to 11Size: 2 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 10 of 10 Marigold Credit: svf74 / Getty Images Marigolds (Tagetes) are superstars in the garden, repelling harmful pests while attracting beneficial pollinators. "Marigolds are cheerful gold, yellow, or orange pom-pom blooms," says Betz. "They sprout in four to 14 days and flower in eight weeks." Zones: Perennial in zones 9 to 11; annual in zones 2 to 11Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 18 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; moderately fertile, well-draining soil Explore more: Garden Flower Gardens