Late May isn’t too late — if you choose the right plants. While some annuals need an early start to shine, others are quick to germinate, fast to bloom, and perfectly suited for planting as summer approaches.
In this article, we’ll spotlight 10 fast-growing annuals that you can confidently sow or transplant right now for colorful, vibrant results within weeks. Plus, we’ll cover 8 varieties that are best saved for next year, since planting them now would likely mean disappointing growth or delayed blooms.
Plant smart this May — and still enjoy a gorgeous summer display.
Bird of Paradise
The Bird of Paradise plant is like a tropical vacation in a pot. With its dramatic, fan-like leaves and vibrant orange and blue flowers, it brings a splash of paradise to any room. This plant thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and loves humidity, making it perfect for a sunny bathroom or living room corner. Its flowers resemble the head of a colorful bird, which explains its exotic name. A well-cared Bird of Paradise can grow quite large, serving as a stunning centerpiece that demands attention and admiration.
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Deliciosa, often called the Swiss Cheese plant, is a favorite for its unique foliage. The large, glossy leaves with characteristic splits and holes create an eye-catching display. This makes it a wonderful choice for adding a touch of the tropics to your indoor space. Monstera thrives in moderate to bright indirect light and appreciates a bit of humidity, making it an adaptable friend to most homes. Its robust nature and rapid growth rate allow it to fill empty corners with lush greenery, effortlessly adding life to any room.
Snake Plant
Renowned for its resilience, the Snake Plant can thrive where others might falter. Its sword-like leaves tower skyward, cloaked in shades of green and yellow. This hardy plant is not just visually striking; it’s also a master air purifier, making it both functional and beautiful. Perfect for beginners, the Snake Plant tolerates low light and irregular watering, proving to be as practical as it is pretty. Its architectural form makes it an ideal choice for adding vertical interest to your decor, complementing modern and traditional settings alike.
Rubber Plant
The Rubber Plant’s glossy, oversized leaves and rich, deep green color make it a showstopper in any decor. Known for its robust nature, it’s surprisingly easy to care for, requiring only moderate light and occasional watering. This plant’s ability to grow tall and branch out provides a bold statement piece that can anchor a room with its presence. Additionally, its air-purifying qualities add to its appeal, offering cleaner air to breathe. The Rubber Plant’s adaptability and dramatic look make it a versatile choice for both homes and offices.
ZZ Plant
ZZ Plant, known for its striking, waxy leaves, is the epitome of understated elegance. This plant’s deep green, glossy foliage reflects light beautifully, almost appearing as if polished. Perfect for those who prefer low-maintenance greenery, the ZZ Plant thrives in low light and can tolerate infrequent watering. Its sturdy nature makes it ideal for busy individuals or those new to plant care. As a natural air purifier, it not only beautifies but also enhances your indoor environment, proving that simplicity can be incredibly stylish.
Calathea
Calathea is a plant that wears its personality on its leaves. With intricate patterns and vibrant colors, its foliage is nothing short of artistic. This plant prefers a bit of pampering, enjoying high humidity and indirect light. Its leaves fold up at night, a charming trait that adds to its interactive nature. Calathea is perfect for those who appreciate detail and love a splash of color in their space. A group of these can create a visual tapestry, turning any room into a lush paradise with minimal effort.
Alocasia
Alocasia, with its bold, arrow-shaped leaves and striking veining, demands attention like a piece of living art. Often referred to as the Elephant Ear, its leaves can grow impressively large, adding a grandeur to your plant collection. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and slightly humid conditions, making it a bit more demanding yet rewarding. Its unique appearance makes it a conversation starter, ideal for those unafraid to make a bold botanical statement. With care, Alocasia brings a slice of the tropics to your home.
Pothos
Pothos is the quintessential trailing plant, known for its heart-shaped, variegated leaves. Its versatility and forgiving nature make it a popular choice for beginners and experts alike. It thrives in a variety of lighting conditions, from low to bright indirect light, and can even tolerate some neglect. This adaptability makes it perfect for hanging planters or shelving, where it can cascade beautifully, adding a touch of elegance to any setting. Pothos is also an excellent air purifier, further solidifying its status as a household favorite.
Ficus Audrey
Ficus Audrey, a close relative of the Fiddle Leaf Fig, offers a more understated elegance. Its soft green leaves are velvety to the touch, providing a serene presence. This plant enjoys bright, indirect sunlight and regular watering, making it a manageable companion for indoor gardens. Ficus Audrey’s ability to grow tall makes it a fantastic choice for creating natural partitions or filling empty vertical spaces. Its subtle charm and easygoing nature endear it to those who appreciate simplicity with a touch of sophistication.
Meyer Lemon Tree
Imagine the joy of plucking fresh lemons right from your living room! The Meyer Lemon Tree brings citrusy delight indoors with its glossy foliage and fragrant flowers. While it requires plenty of sunlight and consistent watering, the rewards are well worth the effort. Beyond its visual appeal, this tree offers a bounty of fruit that can be used in myriad culinary delights. A small Meyer Lemon Tree can infuse any space with a touch of Mediterranean charm, making it a fruitful addition to your home.
Kentia Palm
Kentia Palm exudes an air of tropical elegance with its feathery, arching fronds. It’s a classic choice for creating a tranquil, resort-like atmosphere in your home. This palm prefers bright, indirect light but can adapt to lower light conditions, making it versatile for different rooms. With minimal care requirements, the Kentia Palm is perfect for those looking to add a touch of greenery without much fuss. Its graceful presence and lush foliage provide a subtle yet striking visual impact, ideal for any decor style.
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
Dumb Cane, known for its bold, variegated leaves, is a plant that commands attention. Its lush, cream and green foliage creates a vibrant statement piece, perfect for enlivening any corner. This plant is relatively easy to care for, preferring moderate light and regular watering. However, it’s important to place it out of reach of pets and children due to its toxic sap. Despite this, Dumb Cane remains a popular choice for its aesthetic appeal and ability to thrive indoors, lending a splash of greenery to your space.
Cactus
Cacti, with their diverse forms and resilient nature, offer a unique aesthetic that stands out. From tall and slender to round and stubby, their shapes can create a dynamic display. These succulents require minimal watering and thrive in bright light, making them ideal for sunny windowsills. Cacti bring a touch of the desert indoors, offering an intriguing contrast to more traditional greenery. Their low-maintenance nature and striking appearance make them perfect for those who prefer a hands-off approach to plant care.
Peace Lily
Peace Lily, with its graceful white blooms and lush foliage, is a symbol of tranquility. This plant thrives in low to medium light and requires regular watering to maintain its glossy leaves. Its ability to purify air adds an extra layer of appeal, making it not only beautiful but beneficial. Peace Lily is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any room, creating a serene environment. Its delicate flowers and rich greenery offer a calming presence, enhancing both the aesthetics and atmosphere of your space.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Though it’s the inspiration for this list, the Fiddle Leaf Fig deserves its own spotlight. Its large, violin-shaped leaves and commanding presence make it a beloved choice among plant enthusiasts. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers a consistent watering schedule to stay healthy. While it can be a bit finicky, the visual payoff is tremendous, offering a dramatic focal point in any space. The Fiddle Leaf Fig’s popularity continues to grow, cementing its status as a quintessential statement plant.
Hoya
Hoya, often called the Wax Plant, delights with its thick, glossy leaves and star-shaped flowers. Known for their sweet fragrance and unique appearance, Hoya flowers add a whimsical touch to your plant collection. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering, making it relatively low-maintenance. Perfect for hanging baskets or high shelves, its trailing vines create a cascading effect that is both elegant and enchanting. Hoya’s charm lies in its ability to surprise, with blooms that appear suddenly and delightfully.
Philodendron
Philodendrons are the epitome of versatility in the plant world. With their heart-shaped leaves and vining habits, they can be trained to climb or cascade, depending on your style preference. They thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, adapting well to both low and bright indirect light. This adaptability, combined with their easygoing nature, makes Philodendrons a popular choice for home and office decor. Their vibrant green leaves and rapid growth can quickly fill a space with life, making them a dynamic addition to any collection.