How To Plant Flowers: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Plant Flowers PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH

Last Updated: April 4, 2025 Approved

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  • Planning your Flower Garden
    • |
  • Planting Your Flowers
    • |
  • Maintaining Your Flowers
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
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  • Tips
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  • Warnings
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This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 88% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 964,904 times.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The Earth laughs in flowers." Make your home or garden a joyous and bright place to be by planting flowers--nature's own way of showing happiness. Follow these steps to make your favorite locations blissful with the addition of flowers.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Planning your Flower Garden

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  1. Step 1 Obtain the most suitable soil. 1 Obtain the most suitable soil. Flowers, like most plants, need good soil to grow up strong and healthy. Regardless of whether you are planting your flowers in a pot or a garden, good soil is a must. If you don't already have good soil, find out what potting medium is the best for the flowers you are growing and then try to find the best location or potting mix for your flowers.
  2. Step 2 Select your location. 2 Select your location. Although flowers are typically easy to grow, they can’t be grown just anywhere. An area with too much direct sun or shade will be difficult for some flowers to grow in. Find out what type of light is best for the flowers you are planting.
    • If you have a specific plant in mind to grow, check the light preferences for that plant and choose your plot accordingly. You may want to choose an area with more or less sun than your original plot.
    • If you plan on planting several different types of flowers, choose ones with similar light/shade requirements so that they grow equally well in the same location.
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  3. Step 3 Decide on your flowers. 3 Decide on your flowers. Visit a local gardening center to choose the best flowers for your garden. Growing from seeds, a small plant, bulbs, or a cutting requires nearly the same process, so focus on flowers that you enjoy and that will add a beautiful appearance to your yard. Check the tags that come with the flowers or seed packets to make sure the flower is right for you.
    • Look for the completed growth size of the flower. Will it become very large and bushy, or stay relatively small? Will it grow upwards and become tall or outwards like a vine?
    • Ask about native flowers before looking at all the available varieties. Flowers indigenous to your area are already known to be successful growers in your soil, temperature, and humidity zones.
    • Check to see if the flower you are growing is an annual or a perennial. Annuals bloom only once a year and must be replanted yearly, but are known for their bright colors and beautiful blossoms. Perennials grow back every year without needing to be replanted and will continue to grow larger over time.
    • Read the tag for the watering requirements for the flowers. Some need water often, while others require it only infrequently. If you are getting multiple different species of flower, try to choose ones with similar watering requirements.[1]
  4. Step 4 Plant at the right time. 4 Plant at the right time. Even with the perfect soil, ideal location, and healthy flowers, if you don’t plant at the right time your garden may not grow well. Most flowers don’t do well in weather that is too cold or hot, so it is usually best to plant flowers in spring because it is between these periods. Although planting in the spring may seem obvious, there is an art to choosing the perfect time. With the exception of bulbs and wildflowers—plant these flowers in the fall—wait to plant flowers till at least two weeks after the most recent frost, and avoid planting until temperatures at night stay above freezing on a regular basis.
    • Use a farmer’s almanac to find the best time to plant flowers in your area. Because of differences in weather in different locations, flowers can be planted anywhere from February - July.
    • Check the seed packets of the flowers you are planting to find the best planting time for your flowers.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Planting Your Flowers

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  1. Step 1 Dig a hole. 1 Dig a hole. If you are planting your flowers from seed, you will usually only need to plant your seeds 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) deep, but it is important to check the specific planting recommendations for any flower you want to plant to find out how deep to plant them. A transplanted/potted flower will need a hole as deep as the root ball that it comes with. Flowers don’t need to be smothered with soil, so burying that deep isn’t necessary.
    • Read the packet for any specific recommendations on the size of the hole. Depending on the species of flower, you may need to dig a shallower hole.
  2. Step 2 Get out your flowers. 2 Get out your flowers. This step is mainly for potted flowers that are being transplanted. While the flowers are still in a plastic pot, water them heavily to drench the soil. Then, pull the flowers out of the pot and gently break up the root ball with your fingers. This will help the roots of the flowers to grow out into the soil, rather than back into a confined lump.
  3. Step 3 Feed your flowers. 3 Feed your flowers. Putting a bit of slow-release food for flowers (similar to fertilizer) will help new plants to grow quickly. Add a few tablespoons to the bottom of each hole, and gently incorporate it into the soil with your fingers.
  4. Step 4 Plant your flowers. 4 Plant your flowers. Place each plant into the individual holes prepared for them. Use your hands to fill in the empty space around each flower and cover the top of the root ball. Avoid adding much soil to the top of the flower; the stem of the flowers should never be covered by the dirt.[2]
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Flowers

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  1. Step 1 Water your flowers regularly. 1 Water your flowers regularly. Unless you are experiencing rain on a daily basis, take the time to give water to your flowers. Although individual needs vary based on humidity and the type of plant, it is most common to add several cups of water to each plant by using a watering close to the soil to avoid disturbing the growing flowers or causing soil erosion. You can also have a sprinkler or drip system installed to do the work for you on an automated basis.
  2. Step 2 Weed the area. 2 Weed the area. You want your flowers to be the focal point of your little garden plot, so don’t let weeds steal the show! As you see them appear, pull out unsightly weeds from the soil around your flowers. Not only are the weeds unattractive, they take nutrients from the soil and space in the ground that your flowers need to grow healthily.
  3. Step 3 Deadhead your flowers. 3 Deadhead your flowers. Whenever blooms on your flowers die off or become old and wilted, cut them off. Cutting off the dead blossoms and leaves will stimulate new growth and have your flowers looking even more beautiful than ever.
  4. Step 4 Add support. 4 Add support. If your flowers are tall growing, over time they may become too heavy to stand on their own. Add bamboo stakes or forked branches upright in the ground for the plants to lean against or wrap around for support. This is particularly helpful and necessary for vine-y flowers which grow by wrapping around things.
  5. Step 5 Consider relocating. 5 Consider relocating. As you continue to help your flowers grow, they may become too large for the plot you originally chose for them. Consider moving them to a larger location and adding new flowers to their old location. This will keep your garden growing big, healthy, and beautiful![3]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question What flowers or plants are best to plant in fall? Andrew Carberry, MPH Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. Andrew Carberry, MPH Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Expert Answer Bulbed plants, such as Daffodils or Tulips, do best when planted in the Fall. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 63
  • Question What do I need to do if I plant it in a dry place? Andrew Carberry, MPH Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. Andrew Carberry, MPH Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Expert Answer Add some compost to the soil to help with its moisture retaining abilities. Look for flower varieties that are drought-tolerant. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 21 Helpful 42
  • Question My plants very healthy, but there are no flowers. What can I do to get flowers? Karin Karin Top Answerer It depends on what kind of plants you have. If they're annuals, you should be getting flowers soon, as they tend to quickly bloom as long as the environment is right, then die. If you have perennial shrubs or forbs, there's a few possibilities: 1) You missed the window of opportunity, as some plants, like lilies and irises, only bloom once at a particular time of year; 2) The plant is still growing and not focused on reproduction; or 3) The plant species has flowers that are hard to notice. You didn't make any specification to what kind of plants you have, so it's hard to tell from here. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 16 Helpful 45
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Tips

  • When you buy plants, carry a white sheet of paper with you and place it under the leaves. Gently shake the plant and if a lot of bug remains or rot falls off, don't buy the plant because it will infect the other plants in your garden. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
  • If you have pets, enclose the planting area with a barrier that will prevent them from trampling the newly planted flowers. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Some flowers are poisonous to people and pets, so unless you're sure, keep kids and animals away from the plant. Thanks Helpful 61 Not Helpful 18
  • Follow the instructions on the little plastic marker or seed packet. Specifically, make sure that the flower is planted in sun or shade, depending on what it needs. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 1
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.burpee.com/blog/flower-gardens.html
  2. ↑ http://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/perennials/how-to-grow-healthy-plants/
  3. ↑ http://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/perennials/how-to-grow-healthy-plants/

About This Article

Andrew Carberry, MPH Co-authored by: Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. This article has been viewed 964,904 times. 25 votes - 88% Co-authors: 100 Updated: April 4, 2025 Views: 964,904 Categories: Growing Flowers Article SummaryX

If you want to plant flowers to brighten up your home, check the requirements for the individual flowers you chose so you’ll know what time of year to plant them and what type of soil to use. If you’re planting seeds, place them about 1/4 of an inch in your soil. If you’re transplanting a flower, use your fingers to gently break up the root ball with your fingers, then place it into the ground so the root ball is covered. Fertilize and water your flowers after planting them. For tips on maintaining keeping your flowers looking healthy after planting them, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Lola Wright

    Lola Wright

    Jan 26, 2018

    "I have a planting experiment for school currently, and I had to find out all the details for it. The type of flower..." more Rated this article:
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Andrew Carberry, MPH Co-authored by: Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Co-authors: 100 Updated: April 4, 2025 Views: 964,904 88% of readers found this article helpful. 25 votes - 88% Click a star to add your vote Lola Wright

Lola Wright

Jan 26, 2018

"I have a planting experiment for school currently, and I had to find out all the details for it. The type of flower..." more Rated this article: Delphine West

Delphine West

May 5, 2018

"Just reading anything about plants help me. This will be my first time planting anything so I need all the..." more Cameron

Cameron

Feb 21, 2018

"This was an amazing experience to help people understand about plants and flowers. " Dianne Motsinger

Dianne Motsinger

Apr 8, 2017

"The tip to not over water my plants helped. That is as bad as under watering." Rated this article: Venkatesh Alavelu

Venkatesh Alavelu

Mar 15, 2017

"It's helpful for me to plant the plants in my garden. " Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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