Okay, here's a list of self-seeding plants, categorized for easier browsing. Keep in mind that "self-seeding" can be a spectrum. Some are prolific, others are more moderate. Also, invasiveness varies by region! Always check with your local extension office or native plant society to ensure a plant isn't considered invasive in your area before planting it.

Key Considerations for Self-Seeding Plants:

• Climate: What thrives in one zone might not in another.


• Soil Type: Some plants prefer specific soil conditions.


• Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade, or full shade?


• Aggressiveness: How much do you want them to spread?


• Native vs. Non-Native: Prioritize native plants whenever possible to support local ecosystems.


• Maintenance: Will you need to thin them out?

• Flowers:


• Calendula (Calendula officinalis): Easy to grow, medicinal properties.


• California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica): Beautiful orange flowers.


• Cleome (Cleome hassleriana): Tall, spidery flowers, attracts pollinators.


• Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus, Cosmos sulphureus): Easy to grow, various colors.


• Johnny Jump Ups (Viola cornuta): Cheerful, small flowers.


• Larkspur (Consolida ajacis): Tall spikes of flowers, various colors.


• Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena): Delicate flowers and interesting seed pods.


• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): Edible flowers and leaves.


• Poppies (Papaver rhoeas, Papaver somniferum): Various types, beautiful flowers.


• Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus): While technically short lived perennials, often grown as annuals. Self-seed readily.


• Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana): Tall, distinctive flowers that attract pollinators.


• Stock (Matthiola incana): Fragrant, beautiful blooms. Often considered biennial, but can self-seed annually.


• Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): Tall, cheerful, attracts birds.


• Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima): Fragrant, low-growing.


• Zinnia (Zinnia elegans): Easy to grow, bright colors, attracts butterflies (especially single-petal varieties).


• Herbs/Vegetables:


• Arugula (Eruca vesicaria sativa): Peppery leaves, great in salads.


• Borage (Borago officinalis): Edible flowers and leaves, attracts bees.


• Cilantro/Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): Leaves (cilantro) and seeds (coriander).


• Dill (Anethum graveolens): Feathery leaves, used in cooking and for pickling.


• Lettuce (Lactuca sativa): Various types, easy to grow.


• Radishes (Raphanus sativus): Fast-growing root vegetable.

• Flowers:


• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea): Tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers (poisonous, handle with care).


• Hollyhock (Alcea rosea): Tall, classic cottage garden flower.


• Honesty (Lunaria annua): Attractive seed pods that resemble silver dollars.


• Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus): Fragrant, clustered flowers.

• Flowers:


• Aquilegia/Columbine (Aquilegia spp.): Delicate, spurred flowers, various colors.


• Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.): Daisy-like flowers, drought-tolerant.


• Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis): Heart-shaped flowers.


• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa): Attracts butterflies, especially monarchs. (Milkweed family - very important for Monarchs!)


• Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea and others): Daisy-like flowers, various colors, attracts pollinators.


• Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.): Easy to grow, various colors.


• газа (Coreopsis spp.): Daisy-like flowers, long blooming.


• Lupine (Lupinus spp.): Tall spikes of flowers, various colors.


• Penstemon (Penstemon spp.): Tubular flowers, attracts hummingbirds.


• Phlox (Phlox paniculata, Phlox divaricata): Fragrant, clustered flowers.


• Sea Holly (Eryngium spp.): Unique, thistle-like flowers.


• Sedum (Sedum spp.): Succulent foliage, late-season flowers.


• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Flat-topped clusters of flowers, drought-tolerant.


• Groundcovers:


• Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum): Fragrant foliage, low-growing.


• Snow-on-the-Mountain (Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum'): Variegated foliage (can be aggressive).

• "Self-seeding" Doesn't Guarantee True-to-Type: Hybrids (especially in flowers like zinnias and impatiens) may not come true from seed. You might get variations in color or form.


• Control: To manage self-seeding, deadhead flowers before they go to seed if you don't want them to spread. You can also pull up unwanted seedlings.


• Timing: Some seeds need a period of cold stratification (exposure to cold temperatures) to germinate. This is often naturally provided by winter weather.


• Soil Disturbance: Tilling or digging can bring dormant seeds to the surface, encouraging germination.


• Mulch: Heavy mulching can inhibit self-seeding.


• Native Plants: I cannot stress enough the importance of choosing native plants to support local wildlife and ecosystems.


• Regional Variations: The success and invasiveness of plants can vary greatly depending on your specific location. Always check with local experts.

• Research: Look up each plant on your list to understand its specific needs and potential invasiveness in your region.


• Observe: Pay attention to your garden's existing conditions (sunlight, soil, moisture) to choose plants that will thrive.


• Plan: Consider the size and spread of each plant when mature.


• Monitor: Keep an eye on your self-seeding plants and manage their spread as needed.