Waiting months for a garden to mature requires patience that many gardeners simply don’t have. Whether you’re filling empty spaces in your landscape or starting late in the season, choosing fast growing plants outdoor is a practical solution. From fast growing tall plants for privacy to fast growing perennials that return each year, these varieties deliver results without the long wait.
The fastest growing plants, including vegetables like radishes and the fastest growing flowers such as zinnias and marigolds, can show visible growth within days. This collection also features fast growing potted plants perfect for balconies or patios. You’ll find options for edible gardens and ornamental displays that reach maturity in weeks rather than months, helping you create a lush landscape in record time.
1) Radishes
Radishes are among the fastest vegetables you can grow, reaching harvest in just 20 to 30 days from seed. You can plant them directly into loose, well-drained soil with full sun or partial shade.
Most spring radish varieties mature quickly, with popular options like Cherry Belle ready in approximately 22 days. You’ll appreciate their crisp texture and peppery flavor in salads and sandwiches, making them an excellent choice for your garden.
2) Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the quickest vegetables you can grow in your garden. Most varieties reach maturity in 30 to 45 days from planting.
Leaf lettuce types grow especially fast, with some ready for harvest in as little as 20 to 30 days. Popular quick-growing varieties include Black Seeded Simpson, Buttercrunch, and Red Sails.
You can use the cut-and-come-again method to harvest outer leaves while allowing the plant to continue producing. This approach extends your harvest period significantly.
3) Spinach
Spinach delivers one of the fastest harvests in your garden, with baby leaves ready in as little as 30 days. You can begin picking tender leaves when they reach 3 to 4 inches tall for the best flavor and texture.
This leafy green thrives in cool weather between 50°F and 70°F. Plant it in partial shade with nutrient-rich soil and consistent watering for optimal growth. Fast-growing varieties work best in cooler conditions, making spinach ideal for spring and fall planting.
4) Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)
Mexican sunflower grows rapidly and can reach 4 to 6 feet tall in a single season. This vibrant annual thrives in full sun and tolerates poor soil conditions, making it easy to establish in your garden.
The plant produces bright orange flowers that attract butterflies and pollinators throughout the growing season. You can plant Mexican sunflower from seed, and it will quickly develop into a multi-branched specimen with woody stems.
5) Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum produces tiny, fragrant flowers that form low-spreading mounds throughout the growing season. When planted from seed, you can expect sprouts within a week or two, with blooms appearing in approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
This fast-growing annual works well as ground cover, in borders, or in hanging baskets. The honey-scented flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. Sweet alyssum thrives in full sun to partial shade.
6) Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are annual flowers that grow quickly and can be sown directly outdoors in April or May. They typically reach maturity within weeks, making them ideal for filling bare spots in your garden.
These plants work well in garden beds, containers, and as ground cover. The flowers are edible with a peppery taste, and the plants require minimal care once established.
You can choose between climbing varieties that trail over structures or compact bush types that grow 12 to 18 inches tall for borders and small spaces.
7) Zinnia
Zinnias are among the fastest-growing annuals you can add to your garden. These vibrant flowers can progress from seed to full bloom in just two months, with seeds sprouting in as little as three to four days.
You’ll appreciate their low-maintenance nature and ability to produce continuous blooms from late spring until the first frost. Zinnias thrive in sunny locations and come in nearly every color except blue, making them ideal for both garden beds and cutting arrangements.
8) Japanese Maple (fast-growing varieties)
While Japanese maples typically grow slowly, certain varieties offer faster growth rates for your landscape. The ‘Osakazuki’ cultivar stands out as a notably fast grower that reaches maturity more quickly than standard varieties. This variety provides vibrant fall color while filling gaps in your garden efficiently.
‘Fall’s Fire’ is another upright option that combines quicker growth with distinctive deeply serrated foliage. These fast-growing selections allow you to enjoy the elegant beauty of Japanese maples without waiting years for substantial size.
9) Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a fast-growing evergreen groundcover that spreads quickly to fill bare spots in your garden. This low-growing perennial reaches about 6 inches in height and can extend up to 2 feet in width.
The plant features distinctive round foliage in bright green or golden yellow, depending on the variety. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and adapts well to partial or full shade conditions.
You can use Creeping Jenny to suppress weeds, prevent erosion on slopes, or add visual interest to borders. It pairs well with companion plants like begonias, marigolds, and coral bells.
10) Morning Glory
Morning glory vines are vigorous climbers that can reach heights of three to fifteen feet in a single growing season. These fast-growing annuals typically reach maturity in approximately three months, making them ideal for quickly covering trellises, fences, or arbors.
You should plant morning glories in well-draining soil and a location with full sunlight for best results. The trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in various colors including purple, blue, pink, and red, opening in the morning hours to display their vibrant petals.
11) Marigold
Marigolds are fast-growing annuals that bring vibrant color to your garden quickly. These cheerful flowers typically take 8 to 10 weeks from seed to reach maturity and begin blooming.
You can choose from various types, including French marigolds that grow 6 to 12 inches tall or taller varieties for more dramatic displays. They thrive in full sun and require minimal care once established, making them ideal for gardeners seeking quick results with low maintenance.
12) Basil
Basil is one of the fastest growing herbs you can cultivate, often producing harvestable leaves within just a few weeks of planting. This fragrant annual thrives in warm conditions and responds quickly to proper care.
You can grow basil in garden beds, containers, or even hydroponic systems with excellent results. The plant produces continuous foliage when you pinch back the stems regularly, preventing it from bolting early and extending your harvest for months.
13) Cilantro
Cilantro grows remarkably fast, reaching harvest size in just 3 to 4 weeks from seed. You can begin harvesting leaves once plants develop several sets of true leaves.
This herb thrives in cool weather and prefers temperatures between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Direct sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep, spacing them 6 to 8 inches apart in well-draining soil.
For continuous harvests, plant new seeds every 2 to 3 weeks throughout the growing season.
14) Calendula
Calendula produces bright yellow and orange blooms just six to eight weeks after sowing. This fast-growing annual thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, though it appreciates some afternoon shade in hot climates.
You can plant calendula in early spring once the soil reaches 60°F. Space plants 8 to 12 inches apart for proper airflow. The flowers grow 8 to 24 inches tall and bloom continuously throughout the season with regular deadheading.
15) Sunflower
Sunflowers are annual plants that complete their entire life cycle within one growing season. These low maintenance flowers germinate quickly, typically sprouting within seven to ten days after planting seeds directly in your garden.
You can expect blooms to appear in 60 to 90 days with proper care. Sunflowers thrive in full sun and well drained soil, making them ideal for beginners who want reliable results without extensive experience.
16) Weeping Willow
Weeping willows are among the fastest growing trees you can plant in your landscape. They typically grow 3 to 8 feet per year under optimal conditions.
These graceful trees thrive best when planted near water sources like ponds or streams. You should provide them with full sun and consistent moisture for maximum growth rates.
Plant your weeping willow in late spring or early fall when temperatures are cooler. Keep in mind they need significant space, as their roots can interfere with water lines and foundations.
17) Hybrid Poplar
Hybrid poplar trees rank among the fastest-growing plants available for your landscape. Under optimal conditions, these trees can grow 8 to 10 feet per year.
They adapt well to various soil types and climates, making them versatile for different properties. You can use hybrid poplars to create quick privacy screens, windbreaks, or shade areas in your yard.
These deciduous trees thrive in temperate regions with consistent moisture and full sun exposure.
18) Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush, known scientifically as Buddleia davidii, grows approximately 24 inches per year. This deciduous shrub thrives in hardiness zones 5 through 9 and produces fragrant, colorful blooms from summer through autumn.
The plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden while requiring minimal maintenance. You can expect mature heights between six and 15 feet depending on the variety you choose.
19) Green Onions
Green onions are among the fastest growing vegetables you can plant in your garden. When started from sets, you can begin harvesting in as little as 20 to 30 days after planting.
You can grow them from seeds, sets, or even regrow them from kitchen scraps in water. Plant them in well-drained soil with consistent moisture and full sun to partial shade.
The beauty of green onions is that you can harvest them continuously by snipping the green tops while allowing the roots to regrow for future harvests.
20) Bush Beans
Bush beans are among the fastest vegetables you can grow in your garden. Most varieties reach maturity in 50 to 60 days from planting.
These compact plants don’t require trellising, making them ideal for container gardens or small spaces. Once established, bush beans produce pods continuously for three to four weeks, providing you with a steady harvest.
Their rapid growth cycle allows you to plant multiple successions throughout the growing season for continuous production.
