I wish someone told me how important it is to grow flowers at the start of my gardening journey. Instead we focused so hard on learning the practical aspects of growing food. Yes, that’s important, but flowers are also surprising vital to a bountiful garden.
I always saw flowers as ornamental, it wasn’t until my 5th gardening season did I really see the benefits and values of flowers. If this sounds like you, please read on.
A vegetable garden is often seen as a purely functional space, dedicated to producing food. However, integrating flowers into your vegetable garden can provide numerous benefits beyond just adding beauty. From attracting beneficial insects to improving soil health, flowers can play a crucial role in enhancing the productivity and sustainability of your garden. Below, we explore the many advantages of growing flowers alongside your vegetables.
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What’s the Difference Between a Flower, Plant and Herb?
To start, it’s important to know there are differences and also similarities between these three green items.
PLANT
A plant is a living organism in the kingdom Plantae that typically has:
- Reproductive structures – Can be flowers, cones, or spores.
- Roots – To absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
- Stems – To support the plant and transport nutrients.
- Leaves – To carry out photosynthesis (converting sunlight into energy).
Plants can be divided into two major groups:
- Flowering Plants (Angiosperms) – Produce flowers and seeds (e.g., tomatoes, roses).
- Non-Flowering Plants – Reproduce through spores or cones (e.g., ferns, mosses).
Example: A tomato plant includes leaves, stems, and roots. Its yellow flowers enable reproduction and seed production.
FLOWER
A flower is the reproductive structure of flowering plants (angiosperms). Its primary function is to facilitate pollination and seed production. Parts of a flower:
- Nectar – A sugary substance that attracts pollinators.
- Petals – Attract pollinators with color and scent.
- Sepals – Protect the flower bud before it opens.
- Stamens – Male reproductive parts that produce pollen.
- Carpel/Pistil – Female reproductive part where fertilization occurs.
Example: A sunflower is a flower that produces seeds after pollination.
HERB
An herb is a type of plant valued for its culinary, medicinal, aromatic, or spiritual properties. The key difference is that herbs are primarily grown and harvested for their leaves, stems, or seeds rather than their flowers (although some herbs produce edible or medicinal flowers). Herbs can be:
- Culinary – Basil, mint, cilantro.
- Medicinal – Chamomile, echinacea, mullein.
- Aromatic – Lavender, sage, thyme.
Example: Mint is an herb used for cooking and tea-making, but it also produces small, fragrant flowers that attract pollinators.
Overlap Between Growing Flowers and Herbs
Some plants are both herbs and flowers because they produce flowers while also having medicinal or culinary properties:
- Lavender – Used for its scent and calming properties (herb) and for its purple flowers (flower).
- Chamomile – Used for calming tea (herb) and produces white daisy-like flowers (flower).
- Calendula – The petals are edible (herb) and also attract pollinators (flower).
All flowers are part of a plant, but not all plants produce flowers. Plants that produce flowers, are not considered flowers.
All herbs are plants, but not all plants or flowers are herbs. Some plants (like lavender and chamomile) can be both herbs and flowers because their flowers are the pain purpose of the plant.
Flowers Grow Beauty
I was once told that if you had to choose between beauty or peace in the world, you should always choose beauty. Because without beauty, what is there to live for? I’ve started to feel that and understand it more as I mature. Beauty is essential to life. Flowers are a small part of that beauty. Imagine a vegetable garden without the scent and the flowers. It would be very lack-luster. Lots of green and even a little boring. It probably wouldn’t have the joy that sparks in every gardeners soul when they take in and appreciate what they’ve grown. Flowers have benefits we can extract from them yes, but they are still wholly beautiful as is and should be revered as such.
We are so focused on hustle, money, and results as part of corporate capitalist world and we forget to worship beauty. This goes even deeper down my rabbit-hole of removing beauty from architecture, like the awe-inspiring beauty of ancient European structures and streets… but that’s a rabbit-hole for another post!
So, don’t overlook the power of the fresh, loving scent of a flower, the beauty they fill the room with. Do you look at your space with a fresh bouquet of flowers in reverence? Do you appreciate the beauty they bring to your space? Your space is most likely beautiful in it’s own way without it, but seeing the bouquet there each time never fails to bring a sense of joy for me.
8 Benefits to Growing Flowers
1. Attracts Pollinators
Flowers produce just that, flowers to attract pollinators to your garden. All fruit plants bear flowers, but you want those pollinators in your garden before your food plants have flowers to ensure pollination and a fruitful harvest. Pollination is essential for fruiting vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators help transfer pollen between flowers, leading to higher yields and better fruit development. Flowers like marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers attract these pollinators that help improve vegetable yields.
2. Repels Pests
Certain flowers serve as natural pest deterrents by emitting scents that confuse or repel harmful insects. Marigolds, for example, are known to release a substance that repels nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies. Similarly, nasturtiums act as a trap crop, drawing pests like squash bugs and aphids away from your vegetables. By strategically placing these flowers throughout your garden, you can reduce the need for chemical pesticides and maintain a healthier growing environment.
Similar to companion planting with herbs and other vegetables. These strategically thought of plants are another element of gardening that most don’t think about.
3. Enhances Soil Health
Flowers, like any other plant, provides more biodiversity into your soil and garden, improving the resilience of the environment. Sunflowers in particular, have deep fibrous root systems that help break up compact soil (something we’ve had in our yard) and helped improved the overall soil health. Additionally, the dropping of petals, leaves, heads, etc, adds organic matter to enrich the soil it surrounds.
4. Encourages Beneficial Insects
Not all insects are harmful; some play a crucial role in keeping pest populations under control. Flowers such as dill, yarrow, and alyssum attract predatory insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps, which feed on aphids, caterpillars, and other garden pests. By providing a habitat for these beneficial insects, you can create a more balanced ecosystem that naturally regulates pest populations without the need for synthetic insecticides.
5. Boost Biodiversity
A diverse garden is a resilient garden. Planting a variety of flowers alongside your vegetables creates a more complex ecosystem, reducing the chances of a single pest or disease wiping out an entire crop. Different plant species support different types of wildlife, including birds, bees, and predatory insects, which all contribute to the overall health of the garden. A biodiverse garden is less susceptible to sudden infestations and can recover more quickly from environmental stressors.
We’ve been incorporating marigolds along our blueberry plants and it’s provided a pest deterrent to allow our young bushes to thrive and even produce some berries.
6. Growing Flowers Provides Shade & Support
Some flowers, particularly tall varieties like sunflowers and hollyhocks, can provide valuable shade for heat-sensitive vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, and kale. This is a tactic we used in the past year to shield our lettuce, kale and onions. By planting these flowers strategically, you can create microclimates that protect delicate crops from harsh midday sun.
7. Adding Beauty & Fragrance
A vegetable garden with colorful flowers is visually appealing and can make gardening more enjoyable. Instead of deadheading the flowers, you can cut them before they fully bloom and make yourself a fresh cut flower bouquet for your house.
8. Extending the Harvest Season
Many flowers are not just ornamental—they can also be harvested for culinary use. Edible flowers like nasturtiums, calendula, and violas add color and flavor to salads, teas, and desserts. Additionally, flowers such as chamomile and lavender can be dried and used for herbal remedies or homemade cosmetics. By incorporating edible flowers into your garden, you can diversify your harvest and make the most of your growing space.
How to Grow Flowers Successfully?
1. Choose to Grow the Right Flowers for Your Climate
Flowers thrive best when matched to your local growing conditions. They can be a little temperamental, so follow these three key points:
- Hardiness Zone – You can view the United States map here, and the Canadian map here to ensure the flowers you choose can tolerate your climate.
- Seasonality – Some flowers are better suited for cool weather (e.g., pansies, violas), while others thrive in heat (e.g., zinnias, sunflowers). Some only bloom once in the spring (poppies), and others bloom all season long (marigolds).
- Annual vs. Perennial flowers.
- Annuals (e.g., marigolds, petunias) – Bloom for one season and then die.
- Perennials (e.g., coneflowers, daisies) – Return each year.
2. Prepare the Soil To Grow Flowers
Healthy soil is key to successful flower growth. All flowers like well-draining soil, they don’t want to sit in wet dirt. Adding sand or compost will improve drainage. Compost, organic matter, manure, etc are all easy ways to add nutrients and improve soil. Most flowers prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH between 6.0 and 7.0). Use a soil tester and adjust with lime (to raise pH) or sulfur (to lower pH) if needed.
3. Provide Proper Sunlight
Flowers need varying amounts of sunlight depending on the species. It varies from full-sun flowers needing 6-8 hours of sunlight per day (sunflowers), partial sun/partial shade needing 4-6 hours (ex. begonias), and shade needing less than 4 hours (ex. hostas).
4. Water Correctly
Watering needs vary depending on the flower type and weather conditions. It’s a best practice to water plants in the morning and low to the ground to allow the sun to dry any wet foliage to prevent any fungal growth. Watering should also be deep and consistent, waiting a few long moments so moisture reaches the roots. The soaker option on your hose is finally put to use with deep watering! Watering should be done every few days if doing consistent deep watering, while also paying attention to your local weather patterns.
5. Use Mulch to Retain Moisture and Prevent Weeds
Mulch helps keep the soil cool, reduces water evaporation, and prevents weeds. To learn more about mulching from our detailed article here.
6. Fertilize Strategically
Flowers benefit from balanced feeding, but over-fertilizing can cause weak growth and fewer blooms. Using a balanced 20 20 20 fertilizer is best during it’s growing stages. Start to use seldomly as blooms arise to reduce any weaknesses.
7. Deadhead and Prune for Continuous Blooming
Removing spent flowers and trimming back leggy stems encourages more blooms. Deadheading is snipping off faded flowers so the plant will redirect energy into producing new blooms. The more frequently you deadhead, the more blooms you will receive throughout the season. When deadheading and pruning be sure to use cleaned garden pruners! If they’re not cleaned, diseases can fester. Pruning and reshaping is needed to cut back overgrown stems to improve air circulation as well as prevent any fungal growth.
8. Protect Growing Flowers Against Pests and Diseases
Keep your flowers healthy by monitoring for pests and diseases:
- Pests – Watch for aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for control.
- Fungal Issues – Powdery mildew and rust thrive in humid conditions. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
- Companion Planting – Plant marigolds and nasturtiums to deter pests naturally. Marigolds around roses deters aphids!
9. Support Tall or Climbing Flowers
Tall flowers and climbing varieties may need extra support. Staking tall flowers like sunflowers and peonies will help support it’s growth, (and prevent animals from pulling down the heads to feast on the sunflower seeds). Trellises and cages are also useful from climbing flowers like morning glories.
10. Select Flowers That Grow & Bloom at Different Times
For continuous color, plant a mix of early, mid, and late-season bloomers:
- Early Bloomers – Crocus, daffodils, and pansies.
- Mid-Season Bloomers – Roses, lilies, and daisies.
- Late Bloomers – Sunflowers, asters, and chrysanthemums.
A perfect season example: Pair tulips (spring), echinacea (summer), and chrysanthemums (fall) for season-long color.
Bonus Tips to Successfully Grow Flowers
- Group flowers with similar water and sunlight needs together.
- Rotate planting areas each year to prevent soil depletion and disease buildup.
- Consider native flowers—they’re easier to maintain and attract local pollinators! Grow native as much as possible!
- Monitor soil moisture regularly, especially during hot weather. Use mulch as needed.
Conclusion on How to Grow Flowers
We hope you enjoyed this article outlining the reasons to grow flowers and practical advice on how to do it. If you did, make sure you check out the other content on growing guides, seed saving guides, recipes and more. We are growing our website with more articles all the time, and we invite you to grow with us. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, it can be an enriching experience. If you have any questions or want to share your reasons to grow flowers, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy gardening!
