13 Perennials You Can Winter Sow In January

Winter sowing is a great way to get a head start on your spring garden. You can start many perennial plants from seed in January, even in cold climates.

This method lets seeds sprout naturally outdoors as temperatures warm up.

Winter sowing perennials in January gives you strong, hardy seedlings ready to plant in spring. You’ll save money compared to buying mature plants.

It’s also fun to watch your seeds grow into beautiful flowers that come back year after year.

Let’s look at 13 perennials you can winter sow this month to create a gorgeous garden.

1. Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a cheerful perennial that you can winter sow in January. These sunny flowers are easy to grow and care for.

To winter sow, scatter seeds on top of moist soil in a container with drainage holes. Place the container outside in a spot protected from strong winds.

Black-Eyed Susans attract butterflies and bees to your garden. They’re also deer-resistant, making them a great choice for many landscapes.

These hardy plants don’t need much care once established. You can divide them every few years to keep them healthy and spread the beauty around your garden.

2. Lupine

Lupines are stunning flowers that you can winter sow in January. These tall, colorful spikes add drama to your garden and attract butterflies.

To winter sow lupines, scatter seeds on top of soil in a container with drainage holes. Place the container outside in a spot protected from strong winds.

Lupinus seeds need cold exposure to sprout. The freezing and thawing cycles help break down their hard seed coats.

Lupines prefer full sun and well-draining soil. Once established, they’re low-maintenance and drought-tolerant.

You’ll enjoy their eye-catching blooms from late spring through early summer.

3. Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) are cheerful flowers you can winter sow in January. These classic white blooms with yellow centers brighten up any garden.

To winter sow, place seeds in a container with drainage holes and soil. Leave it outside to experience natural cold and moisture. The seeds will sprout when spring arrives.

Shasta daisies attract butterflies and bees to your garden. They’re also great for cutting and bringing indoors.

These low-maintenance perennials are perfect for beginners.

You can expect your Shasta daisies to bloom from early summer through fall. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil. With proper care, they’ll come back year after year.

4. Columbine

Columbine (Aquilegia) is a lovely perennial to winter sow in January. You’ll love its delicate, star-shaped flowers that nod gracefully on tall stems.

These blooms come in many colors, from soft pinks to deep purples.

To winter sow columbine, sprinkle seeds on top of moist soil in a container with drainage holes. Leave the container outside in a sheltered spot. The seeds need cold to sprout, so let nature do its work.

Columbine attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. It’s also deer-resistant, making it a great choice for many yards.

5. Echinacea (Coneflower)

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a great choice for winter sowing in January. This pretty purple flower is easy to grow and attracts butterflies to your garden.

To winter sow echinacea, use a container with drainage holes. An old milk jug works well. Fill it with soil, sprinkle in the seeds, and place it outside.

Echinacea seeds need cold temperatures to sprout. By winter sowing, you’re giving them the cold they need naturally.

Come spring, you’ll have strong seedlings ready to plant.

These flowers are tough and low-maintenance. Once established, they don’t need much care.

You’ll enjoy their blooms all summer long!

6. Wild Bergamot

Wild bergamot, also known as Monarda fistulosa, is a great choice for winter sowing. This native perennial attracts bees and butterflies to your garden.

To winter sow wild bergamot, sprinkle seeds on top of moist soil in a milk jug greenhouse. Don’t cover the tiny seeds, as they need light to germinate.

Wild bergamot grows well in full sun to part shade. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it low-maintenance for your garden.

The plant’s fragrant leaves can be used to make a tasty tea.

7. Foxglove

Foxgloves are stunning perennials that add height and drama to your garden. You can winter sow these beauties in January for a head start on spring growth.

To winter sow foxgloves, use milk jugs or other containers as mini-greenhouses. Cut the containers in half, poke drainage holes, and fill with soil. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on top and lightly press them in.

Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) come in various colors, from white to pink to purple. They attract bees and hummingbirds, making them great for pollinator gardens.

These plants prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Once established, they’re relatively low-maintenance.

Just be sure to keep them away from pets and children, as all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.

8. Coreopsis

Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a cheerful perennial you can winter sow in January. These daisy-like flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, and red.

To winter sow coreopsis, sprinkle seeds on moist soil in a milk jug with drainage holes. Place the container outside in a spot that gets some sun.

Coreopsis is low-maintenance and attracts butterflies to your garden. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it great for busy gardeners.

Coreopsis grandiflora is a popular variety that blooms all summer long. You’ll enjoy masses of golden flowers from June to September.

9. Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a great choice for winter sowing in January. This tough perennial thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.

You’ll love yarrow’s feathery foliage and clusters of tiny flowers. They come in shades of white, pink, red, and yellow. Pollinators can’t resist them!

To winter sow yarrow, sprinkle seeds on top of soil in a milk jug. Don’t cover the seeds, as they need light to sprout. Place the jug outside and let nature do its work.

Yarrow is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.

You can divide mature plants every few years to keep them healthy and spread the beauty in your garden.

10. Bee Balm

Bee balm (Monarda) is a colorful perennial that you can winter sow in January. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden.

To winter sow bee balm, fill a container with moist potting soil. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on top and lightly press them into the soil. Place the container outside in a spot protected from strong winds.

Bee balm comes in various colors, including red, pink, and purple. It’s easy to grow and spreads quickly, making it great for filling empty spaces in your garden.

You’ll love the aromatic leaves of bee balm, which have a minty scent. The plant is also low-maintenance, needing little care once established.

11. Liatris

Liatris, also known as blazing star, is a stunning perennial you can winter sow in January. This North American native produces tall spikes of purple flowers that bloom from top to bottom.

To winter sow liatris, place seeds in a milk jug with drainage holes. Add 3-4 inches of moist potting soil and sprinkle seeds on top. Lightly cover with soil and set outside.

Liatris attracts butterflies and bees to your garden. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it low-maintenance.

Plant Liatris spicata in full sun and well-draining soil for best results.

12. Hollyhock

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are tall, eye-catching flowers perfect for winter sowing. You can start these beauties in January to get a head start on the growing season.

To winter sow hollyhocks, use a milk jug as a mini greenhouse. Cut the jug in half, poke drainage holes, and fill with soil. Sprinkle seeds on top and lightly cover.

These plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. They come in many colors, from pink to deep purple. Hollyhocks are easy to grow and make great backdrop plants.

13. Daylily

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are tough, colorful perennials you can winter sow in January. These easy-to-grow flowers come in many shades and bloom all summer long.

To winter sow daylilies, sprinkle seeds in a milk jug with drainage holes. Place the jug outside in a spot that gets some sun. The seeds will sprout when it’s warm enough.

Daylilies attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. They’re also deer-resistant, making them a great choice for many areas.

You’ll love how low-maintenance these beauties are once established.

Benefits of Winter Sowing Perennials

Winter sowing perennials gives you a head start on spring planting. It’s a simple way to grow tough, healthy plants without fancy equipment.

Cost-Effective Gardening

Winter sowing saves you money on gardening supplies. You don’t need grow lights, heat mats, or special seed starting trays.

Use recycled containers like milk jugs or soda bottles as mini-greenhouses. Cut them in half, poke drainage holes, and you’re ready to go.

Seeds are cheaper than buying mature plants. You can grow many more plants for the same cost.

This lets you fill your garden faster or share extras with friends.

Winter-sown plants are often stronger than those started indoors. They don’t need hardening off, saving you time and effort in spring.

Natural Cold Stratification

Many perennial seeds need a cold period to sprout well. Winter sowing gives them this naturally. The freeze-thaw cycles outside help break down the seed coat.

This process mimics what happens in nature. It can lead to better germination rates for tricky seeds like Echinacea or Rudbeckia.

You don’t have to fake winter in your fridge. Just sow the seeds and let nature do its thing.

Come spring, you’ll have seedlings ready to grow.

How to winter sow:

  1. Fill containers with potting mix
  2. Sow seeds on top
  3. Water gently
  4. Close container and place outside

Tips for Successful Winter Sowing

Winter sowing is a great way to get a jump start on your spring garden. With a few simple steps, you can grow healthy seedlings outdoors even in cold weather.

Choosing the Right Containers

Pick containers that let in light and hold moisture. Milk jugs, clear plastic tubs, or soda bottles work well.

Cut them in half and poke holes in the bottom for drainage. Make sure the top can close to create a mini greenhouse.

Clean your containers with soap and water before using them. This helps prevent plant diseases.

Label each container with the plant name and date sown.

Leave the cap off to let in some air and rain. You can cover the opening with mesh to keep out pests.

Soil and Water Considerations

Use a seed-starting mix or potting soil. Regular garden soil is too heavy.

Moisten the soil before adding seeds, but don’t make it soggy.

Sprinkle seeds on top of the soil. Cover lightly with more soil if needed.

Water gently with a spray bottle.

Place containers outside in a spot that gets sun. Snow and rain will water them naturally.

Check moisture levels every few weeks.

As spring approaches, open the containers on warm days to harden off seedlings. This gets them ready to plant in your garden.