What is an Annual?
Annuals are a plant with a short lifespan – they grow, bloom and end their life cycle within one growing season. Unlike perennials that come back up year after year, annuals must be replanted each spring, after the final frost.
Annuals are ideal for filling vacant garden space with a pop of color. They’re also popular for adding to containers, window boxes, hanging baskets and more. There are many types of annuals that vary in height, color and look. From sprawling annuals that make great groundcover to erect annuals that offer height in the garden, there are many options to choose from.
Some annuals in cooler regions are considered perennials in others, such as zones 9-11 (the hottest and most tropical U.S. states). For best results, make sure to know your zone when planting annuals.
General Annual Plant Care
Before looking at specific growing instructions for our most popular annual plants, check out our list of best practices which applies to all annuals:
- Plant properly. Dig a hole two times the root ball’s width and slightly less than the root ball’s height. Gently squeeze the container from the bottom to remove the plant from the container. For the best growing results, always condition the soil prior to planting annuals.
- Water regularly until established. New plants need more frequent watering compared to established ones. When you first plant annuals, make sure to water regularly until the plant is fully rooted. Water slowly, making sure the root ball is saturated. The best time to water is generally in the morning. This allows the plant’s soil to dry during the remainder of the day, helping prevent disease. Know that plants in containers might require more frequent watering than those planted in the ground.
- Add mulch around plants. Mulching helps plants maintain soil moisture and eliminate weed growth. Add a thin layer (2-3") of mulch around the base of plants.
- Deadhead regularly. Deadheading is a maintenance practice of removing dead, also known as spent, flowers from a plant. Most annuals grow more successfully when they’re regularly deadheaded as it encourages growth of new blooms. Only a few annual varieties, including impatiens and begonias, are self-cleaning meaning they don’t need to be deadheaded.
- Fertilize annual plants just before and during their active growing cycle. Fertilizing frequency depends on the type you use. If using liquid or granular, you’ll need to fertilize more frequently. If using slow-release fertilizer, you won’t have to fertilize as often. Follow the instructions on your fertilizer packaging
Top-Selling Annual Plants at Lowe's
Below are our top-selling annuals and their care requirements. Learn best tips for annual plants to help them thrive in your garden.
1. Marigolds
Marigolds are bright, cheerful mounding annuals. They’re considered one of the most low-maintenance annuals as they’re drought and heat tolerant. Marigolds are known to deter pests which is a great benefit for many home gardeners. They’re also considered deer resistant. If there’s food scarcity, however, they’re not completely deer proof. Marigolds can be used in garden beds, as borders and in containers. They can be planted in masses or simply provide a pop of color.
- Light: Full sun (6 to 8 hours a day). In extreme climates, limit to morning sun only.
- Water: Moderate water required. Once established, they’re tolerant to periods of drought.
- Blooming season: Spring, summer and fall
- Spacing needs: 6-8"
- Cold hardiness: Non-hardy below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Moss Roses
Moss roses are trailing annuals that feature delicate rose-like blooms. Also called Portulaca, their leaves take the shape of succulents, offering unique texture. Available in vibrant colors like yellow, pink, orange and red, these plants are very heat tolerant and known to attract butterflies and other pollinators. Use them as a pop of color in a hanging basket, plant them in garden beds or use them to create stunning borders. Because they can spread easily, they make great ground cover. Native to South America, moss roses thrive in hot, dry conditions.
- Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun daily).
- Water: Low, after established. Considered drought tolerant.
- Blooming season: Summer and fall.
- Spacing: 12-18"
- Cold hardiness: Non-hardy below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
3. Impatiens
Popularly used in baskets, containers and garden beds, impatiens are ideal for adding color to any landscape design. They come in a range of vibrant shades including orange, pink, white, red and purple. There are also bicolor impatiens, which feature two colors in one, such as pink and white or red and white.
- Light requirements: Partial to full shade
- Water: Water regularly to keep soil semi-moist.
- Blooming time: Spring, summer and fall
- Spacing: 10-14"
- Cold hardiness: Non-hardy below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
4. Petunias
Petunias are a popular annual for a few reasons: they produce beautiful flowers and they’re considered low maintenance. Many of the new petunia varieties are self-cleaning, meaning they’ll drop spent flowers and don’t require deadheading. Some petunia varieties are also fragrant. Add them to hanging baskets and containers or plant them in garden beds and as borders. Though they like sun, you should limit sun exposure to morning sun in extreme climates.
- Light requirements: Full sun (6-8 hours a day)
- Water: Water regularly to keep soil semi-moist.
- Blooming season: Spring, summer and fall
- Spacing: 8-10"
- Cold hardiness: Non-hardy below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
5. Snapdragons
Snapdragons feature tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers that make a statement in any garden. They offer lots of beautiful texture and visual interest with their tall, upright shape. Available in a variety of colors including yellow, pink, orange, purple and red, they can be added to pathways, raised garden beds, hanging baskets and more. They’re also popular for cutting as they look great in vases. One big benefit of snapdragons is that they’re somewhat frost tolerant.
- Light requirements: Prefer full sun (6+ hours of direct sun) but can tolerate partial shade.
- Watering needs: Consistent watering required to keep soil moist
- Blooming season: Fall, winter, spring
- Spacing: 12-18"
- Cold hardiness: Tolerates frost
6. Lantanas
If you want to attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies, lantanas are a best bet. Offering gorgeous flower clusters, they're great for providing bright ground cover. Lantanas are popularly used in containers and hanging baskets, and as an accent over retaining walls. If you’ve had a difficult time getting plants to thrive in your yard, try planting lantanas. They're known to tolerate poor soil and are also tolerant of heat and humidity. This plant is deer-resistant but not deer-proof, depending on food scarcity.
- Light requirements: Full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight)
- Watering needs: Low once established
- Blooming season: Summer and fall
- Spacing: 18-24"
- Cold hardiness: Non-hardy below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
7. Pansies
These cheerful flowers come in various solid colors including blue, purple, yellow, white, orange and unique bi- and multi-color combinations. Some varieties of pansies offer year-round blooms. Because they don’t have insect-repellant properties, it's a good idea to plant pansies with other plants such as marigolds or herbs like basil, mint and rosemary.
- Light requirements: Full sun to part shade
- Watering needs: Low once established
- Blooming season: Fall, winter and spring
- Spacing: 8-12"
- Cold hardiness: Tolerates frost
8. Begonias
Begonias are a classic annual plant that feature pretty blooms and attractive green foliage. If watered regularly, begonias are considered easy to maintain. Native to the tropics, begonias thrive in warm conditions and are sensitive to cold.
- Light requirements: Partial sun – prefer morning sunlight only
- Watering needs: Prefer moist, well-drained soil
- Blooming season: Spring and summer
- Spacing: 6-8"
- Cold hardiness: Non-hardly below 40 degrees Fahrenheit
9. Vincas
Vincas are popular for patios and porches as they look great in containers and in hanging baskets. They produce beautiful, bright flowers in shades of pink, purple, red and white. Sometimes you can also find them in blue. Vincas are considered adaptable, but do best in warm climates with plenty of sun. They can be resistant to pests, but it’s still a good idea to look out for common pests such as aphids.
- Light requirements: Full sun but can tolerate partial sun
- Watering needs: Prefers regular watering but somewhat drought resistant
- Blooming season: Summer and fall
- Spacing: 8-10"
- Cold hardiness: Non-hardy below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
10. Geraniums
Geraniums feature large, showy blooms that instantly add a bold pop of color to patios, decks, window boxes and more. Because of their large flowers and texture, they’re a great plant to combine with other smaller blooms in containers. Though red is one of the most common geranium colors, you’ll also find this plant in white, pink, salmon and more.
- Light requirements: Full sun – 6+ hours of direct sunlight
- Watering needs: Low, once established
- Blooming season: Spring, summer and fall
- Spacing: 12-16"
- Cold hardiness: Non-hardly below 32 degrees Fahrenheit