Beat The Winter Blues With These 11 Flowers You Can Start Indoors In January!

Suffering from the winter blues? Then grow some January flowers with us! While Jack Frost eagerly nips at your nose outside, January is the perfect time to start your secret garden indoors. Let’s dive into some spectacular blooms you can begin right now to ensure a gorgeous garden when spring finally arrives.

Beautiful gloxinia flowers in shades of white purple red and pink.

Sound good?

Then let’s plant some winter flowers!

11 Best January Flowers To Sow Indoors

There are tons of flowers you can start indoors in January. However, these 11 are our top picks.

1. Geraniums

Beautiful geranium flowers growing next to a rustic wooden window.

Want flowers that keep on giving? Geraniums are your new best friends! These cheerful bloomers keep going and going. Starting them in January gives them the perfect head start to become bushy and beautiful by spring. Pinch off the growing tips early to encourage branching, and you’ll end up with plants so full and fabulous that your neighbors will swear you’re a professional gardener.

USDA Zone: Perennials in 10 to 11 (Grown as annuals in colder zones 3 to 9).
Flower Color: Red, pink, white, purple, salmon, orange, bi-color.
Sunlight Requirements: A bright south-facing window provides adequate light, but seedlings will grow more substantially and compact with 14 to 16 hours under grow lights positioned 4 to 6 inches above them.
When To Plant Outdoors: When temperatures stay above 50°F (usually May).

Watching these sturdy stalks unfurl their first leaves under your grow lights feels like witnessing a time-lapse of spring itself, each new leaf a promise of countless blooms.

2. Petunias

Lovely bright red petunia flowers growing in pots.

Think of petunias as the glamorous celebrities of your garden-to-be. Starting these divas in January means they’ll be ready for their close-up come spring! These flowering powerhouses need that extra time to develop their signature cascading habit. Once they get going, they’ll reward you with blooms that would make Rapunzel’s hair jealous.

USDA Zone: Perennials in 9 to 11. (Grown annually in colder zones 3 to 8).
Flower Color: Purple, pink, red, white, yellow, blue, bi-color, striped.
Sunlight Requirements: These light-hungry seedlings demand a grow light for 16 to 18 hours daily, as even the sunniest windowsill won’t provide enough intensity for sturdy growth.
When To Plant Outdoors: After the last frost, when soil temperatures reach 60°F.

As they finally stretch their petals toward the summer sky, these cascading curtains of color transform ordinary hanging baskets into living watercolors that paint your garden with endless waves of joy.

3. Begonias

Lovely orange and red begonia flowers with rich green leaves.

Begonias are like the introverts of the flower world – they prefer the quiet, shady spots but still know how to steal the show. January sowing gives these beauties the long runway they need to develop their sophisticated blooms. They’re perfect for those challenging north-facing gardens or shaded patios where other flowers go to pout.

USDA Zone: Perennials in 9 to 11. (Grown annually in colder zones 3 to 8).
Flower Color: Pink, red, white, yellow, orange, bi-color.
Sunlight Requirements: A bright east or west-facing window works well, but avoid direct southern exposure, which can scorch tender seedlings; indirect grow lights 12 inches away on a 14-hour schedule are ideal for optimal growth.
When To Plant Outdoors: After all frost danger, when night temperatures stay above 50°F.

There’s something magical about watching these tropical treasures evolve. Watch as they transform from microscopic seeds to magnificent specimens. You’ll love watching their leaves unfurl like stained glass windows catching the morning light.

4. Sweet Peas

Colorful sweet pea flowers growing in a container.

Starting sweet peas in January is like sending a perfumed love letter to your future self. These nostalgic climbers need that early start to develop their strong root systems. Plus, their intoxicating fragrance will have you channeling your inner Victorian garden party host.

Remember to give them something to climb on early – these eager beavers start reaching for the stars before you know it!

USDA Zone: Annual in zones 3 to 10.
Flower Color: Pink, purple, blue, white, red, lavender, bi-color.
Sunlight Requirements: While they can manage with a bright south-facing window, supplemental grow lights for 14 to 16 hours daily will prevent leggy growth and produce more robust seedlings.
When To Plant Outdoors: In early spring, as soon as you can work the soil. (Or fall in zones 8 to 11).

Few garden plants capture the essence of an English cottage garden like sweet peas dancing on the afternoon breeze! Watch their delicate tendrils reach skyward as if trying to touch the clouds that drift above.

5. Lobelia

Beautiful and vibrant blue lobelia flowers growing in pots.

Don’t let their diminutive size fool you – lobelias are tiny blue miracle workers! Starting them in January gives these minute marvels time to develop into the cascade of blue, purple, or white that will spill dramatically from your hanging baskets later. They’re like nature’s confetti, spreading joy wherever they tumble.

USDA Zone: 6 to 9.
Flower Color: Blue, purple, white, pink.
Sunlight Requirements: These tiny seeds need light to germinate and thrive best under grow lights for 14 to 16 hours daily, as even the brightest windowsill usually results in spindly growth.
When To Plant Outdoors: Early spring after the last frost.

Like tiny sapphires spilling from your containers, these delicate bloomers prove that sometimes the most miniature flowers create the most breathtaking displays.

6. Delphiniums

Lovely blooming delphinium flowers of various blue hues.

These statuesque beauties are vertical virtuosos, and January starting gives them the foundation they need. Delphiniums are like the backup singers in your garden – they provide those soaring high notes that make everything else look better. Just be prepared to stake them later – these tall drinks of water can get a bit wobbly in the knees!

USDA Zone: 3 to 7.
Flower Color: Blue, purple, pink, white.
Sunlight Requirements: Delphiniums need bright grow lights for 16 hours daily to develop into sturdy seedlings capable of supporting their future towering blooms.
When To Plant Outdoors: Early spring when soil temperatures reach 55°F.

These majestic blooms reach toward heaven with such grace that even passing butterflies pause to admire their towering beauty.

7. Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Lovely pink coneflowers with a monarch butterfly visitor.

Starting coneflowers indoors in January is like planting a butterfly magnet for summer. These hardy natives are prairie pioneers. They spend time developing but are tougher than a two-dollar steak once established.

USDA Zone: 3 to 9.
Flower Color: Purple, pink, white, yellow, orange, red.
Sunlight Requirements: While they can tolerate a bright south-facing window, supplemental grow lights for 14 to 16 hours daily will produce stockier, more vigorous seedlings.
When To Plant Outdoors: Spring when soil temperatures reach 65°F.

As summer wanes into autumn, these steadfast bloomers become living bird feeders, hosting acrobatic goldfinches that turn your garden into a wildlife sanctuary.

8. Dianthus

Stunning pink and white dianthus flowers blooming on a lovely day.

With their clove-like fragrance and sassy blooms, dianthus brings attitude and altitude to your garden party. January sowing gives them time to develop into well-branched plants that will flower their hearts all summer. They’re like the garden’s version of a breath mint – sweet, spicy, and always welcome!

USDA Zone: 3 to 9.
Flower Color: Pink, red, white, purple, bi-color.
Sunlight Requirements: A sunny south-facing windowsill can suffice, but grow lights for 14 to 16 hours daily will prevent legginess and promote better branching.
When To Plant Outdoors: Spring after the last frost.

These hardy little champions prove that true beauty can last longer than expected.

9. Gloxinia

Lovely purple and white gloxinia flowers growing in the garden.

Think of gloxinia as the orchid’s equally dramatic but more cooperative cousin. Starting them in January lets these exotic-looking blooms develop their full potential. They’re the perfect way to add a hint of the tropics to your winter space, and their velvety flowers look like a master artist has painted them.

USDA Zone: Grown as perennials in zones 11 to 12. (Grown as houseplants in most zones).
Flower Color: Purple, red, pink, white, bi-color.
Sunlight Requirements: Bright, indirect light from an east or west-facing window is perfect, but avoid direct sunlight. If you lack a sunny window, diffuse any grow lights and keep them 12 to 15 inches away for 12 to 14 hours daily.
When To Plant Outdoors: Not typically planted outdoors (indoor plant).

Each velvety bloom opens like a virtuoso taking center stage, transforming your windowsill into a theater where nature’s most elegant performers take their bow.

10. Poppies

Epic collection of bright and colorful blooming poppy flowers.

While most poppies are direct-sown outdoors, starting certain varieties (like California Poppy, Oriental Poppy, and Icelandic Poppy) indoors in January can give you a jump on the season. These carefree bloomers are like the bohemian artists of the flower world – they dance to their beat and create spectacular displays with seemingly effortless grace.

(Handle their seedlings carefully – they can be as temperamental about moving as a cat at bath time.)

USDA Zone: 3 to 9 (varies by species).
Flower Color: Red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, white.
Sunlight Requirements: These sun-lovers need a bright south-facing window or grow lights for 16 hours daily to develop into robust seedlings ready for outdoor transplanting.
When To Plant Outdoors: In early spring, as soon as you can work the soil.

I love these flowers! Their petals dance like an elegant, colorful tissue paper caught in a summer breeze.

11. Snapdragons

Gorgeous pink and red snapdragon flowers.

Start these playful blooms in January, and by spring, you’ll have sturdy plants ready to put on a show that would make a Broadway producer jealous. Snapdragons bring out the child in everyone with breathtaking blossoms and have enough sophistication to please the most discerning gardener.

USDA Zone: Perennial in zones 7 to 11. (Annuals in colder zones 3 to 6.)
Flower Color: Red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, white, bi-color.
Sunlight Requirements: While they can manage with a bright south-facing window, providing 14 to 16 hours under grow lights will prevent stretching and produce the stocky, well-branched seedlings needed for abundant blooms.
When To Plant Outdoors: Early spring after the last frost.

Whether entertaining gardeners with puppet-like blooms or standing proudly in a formal cutting garden, these versatile beauties bridge the gap between whimsy and sophistication with effortless charm.

Pro Tips For Success

Lovely sweet peas with purple white green and red flowers.

Germinating flowers indoors in January can be surprisingly stressful. Follow these tips for the best results!

Keep your seedlings under grow lights for 14 to 16 hours daily – they’re light-hungry little monsters!
Maintain consistent moisture but avoid waterlogged soil – think of a spa drinking fountain, not a swimming pool.
Use a fan to gently circulate air around your seedlings – they need their daily workout, too.
Label everything! Trust me. Your memory isn’t as good as you think it is when identifying tiny seedlings. (I’ve been doing this for years, and even mix them up – especially if weeks or months have passed since I germinated the seeds!)

Follow the above tips for the best results! You’ll set your seedlings up for success and help ensure a beautiful and bountiful garden come spring.

Conclusion

Starting flowers in January is an act of hope and a declaration of faith in spring’s return. And the best therapy for those winter blues! So grab your seed trays, put on your favorite tunes, and let’s get growing!

What about you?

Are you going to germinate indoor flowers this January?
Do you have any particular flowers in mind? Let us know!
What’s your secret weapon for keeping cabin fever at bay – starting flowers indoors, or are you more of a ‘wait for spring’ gardener?

Thanks for reading.

Have a great day!

Beat The Winter Blues With These 11 Flowers You Can Start Indoors In January!