You don’t need a big budget to create a show-stopping garden — just the right seeds and a bit of vision. Some of the most impactful landscape plants start as inexpensive seeds but mature into stunning features that rival high-end nursery purchases.
In this article, we highlight 19 budget-friendly seeds — all typically priced around a dollar — that can grow into bold borders, flowering screens, natural arches, and dramatic accents. These plants not only transform your space, but they also offer incredible return on investment, both visually and financially.
Turn pocket change into landscape luxury with these small-but-mighty seed picks.
Sunflower
Who hasn’t felt that burst of joy at the sight of sunflowers standing tall and proud? These towering beauties can transform a simple garden into a radiant, sunny retreat. For just a dollar, you can plant seeds that grow into golden giants, creating a striking visual impact. Sunflowers are not only a feast for the eyes; their seeds attract a variety of birds, adding life and movement to your landscape. Additionally, they serve as a natural fence or screen, offering privacy and a sense of enclosure.
Lavender
Imagine a light breeze carrying the soothing scent of lavender through your garden. This aromatic plant offers more than just fragrance; it’s a visual delight with its purple hue and elegant stems. Lavender seeds, available for a dollar, can grow into beautiful shrubs that enhance the tranquility of any outdoor space. Known for its calming properties, lavender is perfect for creating a serene corner in your garden. Plus, it’s a magnet for butterflies and bees, promoting biodiversity.
Marigold
Marigolds are the unsung heroes of the garden world, appreciated for their vibrant colors and pest-repelling qualities. These flowers bring a splash of sunshine to any area, making them a favorite among gardeners. For just a dollar, marigold seeds can become a colorful border or a cheerful ground cover. Not only do they add visual interest, but they also protect your garden by deterring unwanted insects. Their hardy nature makes them easy to grow, even for beginners.
Zinnia
Zinnias are the life of the party in any garden, known for their bold colors and long-lasting blooms. With a dollar’s worth of seeds, you can enjoy a vibrant display that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. These flowers are perfect for adding a pop of color to borders, containers, or cut flower arrangements. Their robust nature allows them to thrive in sun-drenched spots, providing continuous blooms throughout the season. Zinnias are an excellent choice for those seeking low-maintenance beauty.
Cosmos
Cosmos flowers bring a touch of whimsy to gardens with their dainty petals and airy structure. These seeds, available for a mere dollar, can grow into a sea of soft pinks, whites, and purples. Perfect for cottage gardens or wildflower meadows, cosmos create a serene, dreamy landscape. They are easy to grow and require little maintenance, making them ideal for novice gardeners. Cosmos also attract pollinators, encouraging a healthy ecosystem in your backyard.
Poppies
Poppies captivate with their vivid colors and delicate petals, offering a touch of romance to any garden. With a dollar, you can sow seeds that transform into a vibrant display reminiscent of European landscapes. Poppies flourish in well-drained soil and full sun, making them a versatile choice for various garden styles. Their striking appearance and ability to reseed themselves ensure they return year after year. Poppies are perfect for adding a splash of color to borders or naturalized areas.
Morning Glory
Morning glories are renowned for their stunning, trumpet-shaped blossoms that greet the day with vibrant hues. These seeds cost just a dollar but grow into vigorous climbers that can adorn fences, trellises, or arbors. Their fast-growing nature creates a lush, green curtain that provides shade and privacy. Morning glories thrive in sunny locations and are excellent for creating vertical interest in gardens. Their enchanting beauty is a daily reminder of nature’s wonders.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas charm with their delicate blooms and captivating fragrance, making them a beloved choice for gardeners. With just a dollar, you can plant seeds that grow into climbing vines, perfect for trellises or garden walls. Sweet peas are known for their pastel colors and enticing scent, adding a romantic touch to any landscape. They bloom profusely, providing a colorful display throughout the season. These lovely flowers are ideal for cut arrangements and attract pollinators to your garden.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums bring a vibrant splash of color with their bright blooms and unique, round leaves. Available for just a dollar, these seeds can grow into trailing vines or compact mounds, depending on the variety. Nasturtiums are edible, adding a peppery flavor to salads, and their flowers attract pollinators. They thrive in poor soil and full sun, making them a low-maintenance option for borders or containers. Their cheerful appearance and versatility make nasturtiums a garden favorite.
Daisies
Daisies epitomize simplicity and charm with their classic white petals and sunny yellow centers. Spending a dollar on daisy seeds can yield a delightful patch of these quintessential flowers, suitable for meadows or garden edges. They are easy to grow and require minimal care, making them perfect for novice gardeners. Daisies also attract beneficial insects, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem. Their timeless appeal and effortless growth make them a staple in any landscape.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are known for their unique, dragon-like blooms and vertical growth habit, adding height and interest to gardens. Just a dollar’s worth of seeds can produce a colorful display that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Snapdragons come in a wide range of colors, allowing for creative combinations in borders or containers. Their sturdy stems and long-lasting flowers make them ideal for cut arrangements. Snapdragons thrive in well-drained soil, providing a striking addition to any garden.
Calendula
Calendula flowers, often called “pot marigolds,” are treasured for their cheerful appearance and medicinal properties. A dollar’s investment in seeds can fill your garden with vibrant orange and yellow blooms. Calendula is easy to grow and thrives in full sun, making it suitable for borders or herb gardens. Its petals are edible and can be used in teas or salads, adding color and flavor. Calendula’s sunny disposition and usefulness make it a versatile choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and function.
Lupines
Lupines stand out with their tall, spiky blooms that create a dramatic vertical element in gardens. A dollar spent on lupine seeds can lead to a stunning display of blues, purples, and pinks. These flowers thrive in sunny locations and are perfect for adding height to borders or wildflower meadows. Lupines are also nitrogen-fixing plants, improving soil quality and supporting other garden plants. Their striking appearance and eco-friendly nature make them a valuable addition to any landscape.
Coneflowers
Coneflowers, also known as echinacea, are beloved for their resilience and striking appearance. For just a dollar, coneflower seeds can produce a vibrant display that attracts butterflies and bees. These perennials are drought-tolerant and thrive in sunny, well-drained locations. Coneflowers add a burst of color to borders or naturalized areas, offering long-lasting blooms that are perfect for cut arrangements. Their low-maintenance nature and ecological benefits make them a smart choice for any garden.
Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks transport you to a cottage garden with their towering spikes of colorful blooms. With a dollar’s worth of seeds, you can create a nostalgic scene reminiscent of classic English landscapes. Hollyhocks are biennials, blooming in their second year and bringing height and drama to garden borders. Their large flowers attract pollinators and provide a stunning backdrop for other plants. Hollyhocks are an excellent choice for adding vertical interest and old-world charm to your garden.
Salvia
Salvia plants add a touch of elegance with their spiky blooms and rich colors, perfect for creating visual interest. A dollar’s investment in salvia seeds can yield a garden full of vibrant purples, pinks, and reds. These hardy perennials thrive in sunny locations and are drought-tolerant once established. Salvia attracts hummingbirds and bees, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem. Their long-lasting blooms and low-maintenance nature make salvia a popular choice for borders and containers.
Black-Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans bring sunny cheer with their bright yellow petals and dark centers. For just a dollar, seeds can transform into a field of these resilient flowers, ideal for meadows or borders. Black-eyed Susans are easy to grow and thrive in a variety of soil types, requiring little maintenance. They attract butterflies and bees, contributing to a vibrant garden ecosystem. Their classic appeal and adaptability make them a favorite among gardeners looking to add a splash of color.
Foxgloves
Foxgloves add an air of mystery with their tall spires and tubular blooms, reminiscent of fairy tale gardens. With a dollar, you can sow seeds that grow into these enchanting flowers, perfect for adding height and drama. Foxgloves thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil, making them versatile for various garden settings. Their unique appearance and ability to attract pollinators make them a valuable addition to any landscape. Foxgloves are ideal for creating a whimsical, storybook garden.