10 Best Summer Flowering Plants: How to Grow It at Home & Care Tips

The time has come for whoever has been waiting for the right time to grow their favorite flowering plants.

Because summer is approaching India. Right weather conditions are essential for growing any type of plant.

Just as some plants prefer cooler mild weather of winter and spring for their growth, so too do some plants rely on warm weather and bright direct sunshine hours of summer.

In particular, summer flowering plants need more sunlight to bloom better.

Flowers are the beautiful creations of nature. Certainly, they have the ability to present a cute smile on anyone's face just by looking at them.

Flowers not only feed your soul with their charming beauty but also attracts beneficial insects to your garden and hence indirectly promote the productivity of other plants. 

In this blog, we will be providing you with a list of the best Indian summer flowers that are perfect to grow this summer at your home along with simple growing tips.

Top 10 Flowering Plants to Grow this Summer

1. Sunflower

Sunflowers are well known for their vibrant color and distinctive large flower heads. They grow as both ornamental and agricultural crops worldwide. Sunflowers have large flower heads with a black central part made up of numerous florets. The color of the flower petals varies with the growing varieties but most typically bright yellow. 

Sunflowers are one of the perfect summer flowers as they thrive in hot and dry weather conditions. They require the full and bright sun to grow properly. Sunflowers are heliotropic in nature, which means they move their head throughout the day to follow the root of the sun from the east to the west. 

How to Grow Sunflower

• Soil type - Planting sunflowers in well-drained and nutrient-rich soil like earth magic potting soil is appreciable. Sandy loams, black soils, and alluvial soils are preferable

• Climatic requirements - Plant the sunflowers in a location where they can receive at least 6-8 hours of full sun. Sunflowers  grow best in the full and bright sun of hot summers

• Sowing - Sow the seeds of sunflowers directly in the soil about 1-½ inches deep and 12-15 inches apart

         Method of growing - Direct sowing (outdoors)

         Sowing time - Mar - April and mid-May-June

         Days for germination - 5-10 days

         Days of maturation - 80-120 days

• Special care - Tall varieties of sunflower may require support. Provide support to the plants with the help of stakes

• Watering - After sowing the seeds, water the soil deeply. Do not overwater the soil and avoid overhead watering to prevent flower dropping. Always maintain even moisture in the soil, especially during flowering and fruiting stages

• Fertilizing -  Sunflowers are heavy feeders. At the time of sowing, add organic compost to the potting soil. At the flowering stage application of organic fertilizers is appreciable to boost flowering. 

2. Cosmos

Cosmos are daisy-like colorful flowers with long slender stems. Cosmos produce flowers in a broad range of colors that bloom throughout the summer months. These summer flowers are the better choice to grow in your vegetable garden to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. Cosmos are easy to grow and they don’t need much of your attention. These hardy summer flowers can thrive in the hot weather of the summer and the limited supply of nutrients.

How to Grow Cosmos

• Soil type - Planting cosmos in well-drained and fertile soil is considerable. They can thrive even in moderately fertile soil which is not desirable for many flowering plants but make sure the chosen soil is well drained

• Climatic requirements - For the vigorous growth of these summer flowers, choose the location where they can get full sun at least for 7-8 hours

• Sowing - Sow the cosmos seeds directly into the soil about ¼ inches depth and 10-12 inches apart

         Method of growing - Direct sowing (outdoors)

         Sowing time - March-July

         Days for germination - 5-10 days

         Days for maturation - 50-60 days

• Special care - Provide support to the taller varieties of cosmos with the help of stakes to prevent them from flopping over

• Watering - Regular watering is essential till the cosmos get established. Once after the establishment, maintain the even moisture in the soil. Cosmos can withstand low moisture in the soil but they don’t like overwatering

• Fertilizing - Application of organic fertilizers once at the flowering stage is enough in the cosmos. Too much fertilizer and frequent fertilizing are not required as these summer flowers can thrive in moderately fertile soil conditions.

3. Marigold

Marigolds are everyone’s favorite for their bright colors and multiple layers of overlapped petals. Flowers are varying in colors including bright yellow, orange, red and maroon. Some of the hybrids can showcase two-toned flowers. Marigolds are the better choice to grow as summer flowers as they can withstand hot summers and drought. Grow marigolds as companion crops with vegetables in your garden to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. The pungent smell of marigolds has the ability to repel pests in your garden. This special characteristic of them will aid natural pest control.

How to Grow Marigold 

• Soil type - Planting marigolds in well-drained and moderately fertile is desirable for their better performance

• Climatic requirements - Marigolds require at least 7-8 hours of full sunshine to bloom better. These summer flowers can withstand the full sun and hot weather of the summer

• Sowing - Marigolds can be easily started by sowing the seeds directly in the well-drained soil outdoors at the depth of 1-1 ½ inches and 12-18 inches apart

         Method of growing - Direct sowing (outdoors)

         Sowing time - Feb- March, June-July, and Sep-Oct

         Days for germination - 5-7 days

         Days for maturation - 55-60 days

• Watering - Water the soil regularly till the plants get established. After the good establishment of marigolds, allow the soil to dry somewhat in between two watering. Do not overwater the plants

• Fertilizing - Add some organic fertilizer to the potting soil at the time of planting or at the time of flowering. Do not fertilize marigolds with nitrogen-rich fertilizers at the stage of growth, because this increases foliage growth but not flowers.

4. Zinnia

Zinnias are the perfect summer flowers to create the quickest color burst in your garden as they grow and flower quickly. These unique and elegant flowers come in different types including single and multi petalled types and various shades of long-lasting colors. Zinnias are easy to grow, hence ideal for beginner gardeners.

How to Grow Zinnia

• Soil type - For planting zinnia, the soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter. Zinnias are susceptible to root rot, hence the soil should be well-drained

• Climatic requirements - Zinnias require warm weather conditions and a full amount of sunlight at least for 7-8 hours to produce large and beautiful flowers

• Sowing - Zinnia seeds should be sown at ¼ to ½ inches of depth by leaving 6-8 inches of space apart

         Method of growing - Direct sowing (outdoors) or transplanting (if sown                 indoors)

         Sowing time - mid-Feb- mid-April

         Days for germination - 7-10 days

         Days for maturation - 60-70 days

• Watering - Zinnia plants need evenly moist soil but not waterlogged, as waterlogged soil leads to root rot. Regularly water them till the seedlings got established and always maintain the even moisture in the soil at their growing stages

• Fertilizing - Incorporate organic fertilizers into the soil at the flowering stage or after 45-50 days of sowing the seeds.

5. Balsam

You might have seen these colorful flowering plants in many nurseries and other garden centers. Balsams are widely grown for their easy growing and pests resistance characteristics. These beautiful summer flowers are known by many names including balsams, impatiens, and rose balsams. Flowers are cup-shaped and available in various colors. They bloom better when they are grown from summer till spring.

How to Grow Balsam

• Soil type - Balsams require fertile and well-drained soil to grow. They don’t grow well in soggy soil

• Climatic requirements - Balsams prefer warmer climates and humid weather. They grow well in the full sun and partial shade area. Plant the balsam plants in a place where they can get full sun at least for 7-8 hours

• Sowing - Sow the balsam seeds directly into the well-drained soil at the depth of ¼-1 inches and 8-12 inches apart

         Method of growing - Direct sowing (outdoors) or transplanting (if sown                 indoors)

         Sowing time - Feb-March-and May-July

         Days for germination - 5-7 days

         Days for maturation - 60-70 days

• Watering - Balsams prefer evenly moist soil throughout their growing season. Usually, they stop flowering if they don’t get water, so regular watering is essential. Avoid overwatering to prevent waterlogging in the soil

• Fertilizing - Add some organic compost into the potting soil at the time of planting of balsams. Fertilizing the balsam plants after 45-50 days of sowing is appreciable.

6. Gaillardia

Gaillardias are popularly known as blanket flowers, and they belong to the sunflowers family, Asteraceae. Plants of gaillardia grow and spread like a blanket in an area, hence the name blanket flowers. Gaillardias are richly colored, daisy-like flowers which prefer warm weather conditions to bloom. Different types of these summer flowers produce flowers in different colors including yellow, orange, and white.

How to Grow Gaillardia

• Soil type - Gaillardias can thrive in moderately fertile soil but make sure the potting soil is well-drained. Avoid planting gaillardias in heavy clay soils

• Climatic requirements - Gaillardia blooms better in full sun and warm weather of the summer. They can thrive in partial shade but in shade, they don’t flower to great degrees. Plant gaillardias in the location that receives full sunshine for about 7-8 hours a day

• Sowing - As the seeds of gaillardia are small in size, they should be sown directly into the soil at the depth of 1/2 - 1 inch by leaving 10-12 inches of space in between two planting holes

         Method of growing - Direct sowing (outdoors) 

         Sowing time - March-April

         Days for germination - 10-12 days

         Days for maturation - 45-60 days

• Watering - After planting, immediately water the soil thoroughly, and once after the plants got established, maintain the soil in consistently moist condition

• Fertilizing - Mix organic compost into the potting soil at the time of sowing the seeds. As gaillardias can thrive in moderately fertile soil, so no need to fertilize them during their growing season. 

7. Gomphrena

Gomphrenas is also popularly known as globe amaranth. They are widely grown for their showy round dried or fresh flowers in arrangements and bouquets. The beautiful and elegant round-shaped flowers with bold pastels of a purple, orange, red, and true white can be the center of attraction of your garden. Gomphrena flowers lack true petals but have papery bracts of various colors.

How to Grow Gomphrena

• Soil type - For growing gomphrena, choose the soil which is well-drained and nutrient-rich. They do not like heavy clay soils and alkaline soils as well

• Climatic requirements - Gomphrena prefers full sunlight for about 7-8 hours and warm weather conditions to bloom better

• Sowing - Gomphrena seeds should be sown at the depth of ½ - 1 inch and 10-12 inches apart directly into the well-drained soil

         Method of growing - Direct sowing (outdoors) 

         Sowing time - Feb - March, and mid-May-July

         Days for germination - 8-10 days

         Days for maturation - 45-50 days

• Watering - Water the plants regularly after sowing till the seedling stage. Once the seedlings matured, maintain the soil in even moist condition

• Fertilizing - Light application of organic fertilizers after 45-60 days of sowing promotes healthy blooms. Don’t overfertilize the gomphrena plants as they can thrive in moderately fertile soil.

8. Portulaca

Portulacas are the beautiful, ground cover type of plants, which are also known as moss roses and table roses. These plants can be the ideal choice for growing this summer as they can tolerate high heat and low humidity conditions.  Portulacas are versatile summer flowers that can be grown as ground covers, bedding plants, and also as ornamental flowers in hanging baskets. Rose-like flowers arranged in small clusters will serve the feast for your eyes.  The leaves of these plants are fleshy and thick.

How to grow Portulaca

• Soil type - Portulacas prefer well-drained and moderately fertile soil to grow. Avoid planting them in clay soil

• Climatic requirements - When planting portulacas, choose the location that receives full sunlight throughout the day or at least for 6-8 hours. Portulacas prefer the warm climate and low humid conditions

• Sowing - Portulaca seeds should be sown ¼ inches in deep and spaced at 4-6 inches

         Method of growing - Direct sowing

         Sowing time - March-April and May-July 

         Days for germination - 9-10 days

         Days for maturation - 60-70 days

• Watering - Portulaca plants can tolerate dryness in soil for some time so don’t overwater them. Water them to maintain even moisture in the soil, especially at the seed germination, growth, and flowering stages 

• Fertilizing - Add organic fertilizer to the soil at the time of sowing the seeds to encourage seedling growth. You can fertilize them during the growing season and at the flowering stage

9. Verbena

If you are looking for growing long-lasting summer flowers, which even thrive in the hottest periods and less humidity, then verbena flowers are the right choice for you. The versatile verbenas can be grown as both annual and perennial flowering plants and they prefer the hottest climate to bloom profusely. These are small flowers with 5 petals and they are borne on elongated spikes.

How to Grow Verbena

• Soil type - Verbenas don’t need rich fertile soil. They can thrive in poor to moderately fertile soil but that soil should be well-drained and loosely packed

• Climatic requirements - Planting verbenas in a location that receives plenty of sunshine for about 8-9 hours is appreciable. They bloom better in warm weather of the summer

• Sowing - Grow verbenas by sowing the seeds at the depth of 1-½ inches and spaced at 10-12 inches

         Method of growing - Transplanting

         Sowing time - March-May

         Days for germination - 18-20 days

         Days for maturation - 90-100 days

• Watering - Regular watering is necessary for the germination of seeds and seedlings' development. Maintain the constant moisture at the growing and flowering stages. Don’t soak the plants in the water as the verbenas are susceptible to root rot

• Fertilizing - Adding slow-releasing organic fertilizers to the soil at the time of planting is sufficient to provide essential nutrients to verbenas. If the plants are not performing well at the growing stages, then fertilize them with organic supplements once

10. Vinca

You might have seen these beautiful flowers that resemble impatiens in your surroundings. Although vincas are shade lovers, they can be the perfect choices for sunny locations. Vincas are popularly known as periwinkle in many locations of our country. The leaves are dark green and leathery. Five petalled vincas can bloom in various contrasting shades including pink, purple, red, white, magenta, and bi-colors.

How to Grow Vinca

• Soil type - Choose the potting soil which is well-drained, fertile, and, porous to grow vincas at your home

• Climatic requirements - Vincas love to grow in a location that gets full sun about 6-8 hours per day. They can tolerate partial shade with warm weather conditions but too much shade can hinder the growth

• Sowing - Vinca seeds should be sown at the depth of ½ inches and 8-10 inches apart

         Method of growing - Transplanting

         Sowing time - Mar -Apr and June-mid-July

         Days for germination - 15-20 days

         Days for maturation - 50-60 days

• Watering - Make sure to maintain regular moisture in the soil till the vinca seedlings reach maturity. You can water the plants when the to 2-3 inches of the soil is dry

• Fertilizing - Apply slow-releasing fertilizers to the potting soil at the time of planting. Vincas need some extra food at the time of growing and flowering periods, so consider the application of organic fertilizers after 45-50 days of sowing

How to take care of flowering plants

Plant care is not an easy task when you are not aware of some basics. We all know some plant care basics like watering, weeding, pest, and disease management. But the flowering plants need more than these. Let’s know the basic flowering plant care practices in detail.

• Provide the flowering plants with adequate sunlight

Sunlight is the key source of the energy for plants to produce food. You need to provide enough sunlight for the flowering plants if you are hoping for a better outcome from them. Flowering plants are required to be exposed to direct sunlight at least for 7-8 hours every day. 

• Water the flowering plants when they are in need

Summer flowering plants may require regular watering as there will be excess evaporation due to the high heat. Water the summer flowering plants when the top 2-3 inches of the soil is dry. Don’t overwater the plants as the damp soil will lead to root rot and become the harbor for many fungal diseases.

• Water the soil directly

Watering on the leaves might be the easiest way, but this watering habit can harm your plants. Overhead watering can increase the risk of fungal growth on the leaves and also affects the overall health of the plants. While watering, directly water the soil away from the leaves. Watering plants at the soil level provides the hydration right to the roots where it is needed and also reduces the risk of fungal diseases.

• Avoid over-application of fertilizers

Although flowering plants need to be fertilized to get essential nutrients for their growth, the excessive application can harm them. Overapplication of fertilizers can decrease the growth of the plants instead of promoting their growth. The application of excessive fertilizers leads to stunted growth, burned leaf margins, and the death of the plants. So always feed the flowering plants with an appropriate amount of fertilizers.

• Mulch the flowering plants

The high heat of the summer will lead to excess loss of moisture from the soil, so it will be difficult for the plants to get sufficient water. To reduce evaporation, mulching will be beneficial. Cover the soil surface with natural mulching materials. This helps the soil to retain the moisture for a longer time and also reduces the weed growth.

• Keep a check on pests and diseases

Pests and diseases are the common problems of plants. But you should not neglect their existence. Prevention is the key to managing pests and diseases. Regular weeding is a must in the garden as the weeds serve as a harbor for many pests. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the occurrence of fungal diseases. Removal and safe disposal of infested plant debris also helps to manage the problem-free gardens.

• Pruning in the flowering plants

Pruning is the essential practice in flowering plants to promote more blooms. Prune the flowering plants after the flowering is finished but before the budding initiates. Pruning in summer flowering plants should be done in late winter or early spring.

• Deadheading in the flowering plants

Removing the dead flower heads from the plants is known as deadheading. Deadheading in the flowering plants allows them to produce more flowers. When you remove the old or dead flowers from the plants, the plants start to spend their energy and nutrients to produce new growth instead of spending on the old flowers. 

• Provide your flowering plants with support

Some weak stemmed flowering plants or plants with heavy clusters of flowers need a little bit more support to stand upright. Providing support with the help of stakes by driving them into the ground helps the plants to grow upright and also increase the flowering.

FAQs Related to Summer Flower Plants

1. What are summer flowers?

Summer flowers are the warm-season flowering plants. They prefer warm weather and longer days length for their growth. Summer flowers require full sunshine hours at least for 6-8 hours and warm soil temperature.

2. Why some of the flowers are seasonal?

Some flowers adapted to particular weather conditions to bloom naturally. They need ideal climatic factors such as sunlight, soil temperature, and humidity for their growth and development. Hence based on their adaptability, flowers should be grown in a particular season. 

3. What is the purpose of pruning in flowering plants?

Pruning is mainly done to remove unwanted plant parts and dead plant parts that are not requisite to growth. Pruning in flowering plants helps to maintain the plant in a proper shape and to optimize the blooms. 

4. How do we deadhead a flower?

Deadheading in flowering plants is a very simple and essential technique. Just remove the faded or spent flower either with your hand or secateurs. This process gives the plant a clean appearance and also encourages the new bloom.

5. What is mulching?

Mulching is the process of spreading a layer of material to the soil surface. This process helps to conserve moisture, improves soil fertility, and also suppresses weed growth.

6. What type of materials can be used for mulching?

You can use commonly available organic materials as mulches in your garden. Organic mulching materials include fresh-cut forage, cocopeat, wood chips, leaves, and other crop residues. 

7. Why do plants fail to flower?

Flowering plants can fail to bloom due to various reasons. Shade (inadequate sunlight) and insufficient moisture are the most common reasons for improper blooming. Other reasons include improper pruning and nutrient imbalance. 

8. How do you control pests in flowering plants naturally?

To keep your flowering plants pest-free naturally practice management practices like spraying neem oil at both the upper and lower surface of the leaves, avoiding overhead watering, and handpicking the pests. 

9. How do I encourage flowering in plants?

Potassium promotes flowering in plants. Feed flowering plants with flower boosters that can provide an adequate amount of potassium to encourage flowering and plant them at the place where they can get the right amount of sunlight.

10. Why do flower buds fall off before blooming?

Premature bud drop occurs due to many different reasons including temperature fluctuations, water stress,  pests attack, and nutrient deficiency. To overcome this problem, keep the soil evenly moist, do not overfertilize the plants, and apply bone meal organic fertilizer.

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