Fast growing plants are a good choice when you want visible growth, flowers, herbs, or vegetables without waiting through a long growing season. The best choice depends on your climate, sunlight, soil, and whether you want food, flowers, or foliage.
TL;DR
- Fast growing plants include annual flowers, herbs, leafy greens, root crops, and warm-season vegetables.
- Radishes can be ready in about three to five weeks under suitable growing conditions.
- Zinnias, marigolds, and sunflowers are good choices when you want quick flower growth.
- Basil and dill give useful herb growth without needing much space.
- Match the plant to your season and light level rather than choosing by growth speed alone.
What are the best fast growing plants?
The best fast growing plants for a home garden include radishes, bush beans, cucumbers, basil, dill, zinnias, marigolds, sunflowers, cosmos, and leafy greens. These plants grow at different rates, so choose based on the result you want and the conditions in your garden.
A fast-growing plant can give you a useful result quickly, but growth speed is always linked to conditions. A plant that grows quickly in warm sun may grow slowly in cool, wet soil.
Here are 10 good choices to consider.
| Plant | Best for | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Radish | Quick harvests | Cool weather and loose soil |
| Bush bean | Fresh vegetables | Warm soil and full sun |
| Cucumber | Fast summer crops | Warm weather and steady moisture |
| Basil | Fresh herbs | Warm weather and sun |
| Dill | Fresh herbs and flowers | Sun and well-drained soil |
| Zinnia | Quick flowers | Full sun |
| Marigold | Easy flowers | Full sun |
| Sunflower | Tall flowers | Full sun |
| Cosmos | Summer flowers | Sun and well-drained soil |
| Leafy greens | Quick edible growth | Cool conditions |
Which fast growing plants give you flowers quickly?
Zinnias, marigolds, sunflowers, and cosmos are among the better choices for quick flower growth. Annual flowers are especially useful because they complete their life cycle within one growing season, so you can see a lot of growth and flowering in a relatively short period.
Zinnias
Zinnias grow quickly from seed or transplants and perform best in full sun and well-drained soil. The University of Minnesota Extension notes that their fast growth allows gardeners to direct-sow them outdoors when soil conditions are suitable. (University of Minnesota Extension, 2026)
Marigolds
Marigolds are easy to grow and grow fast in full sun. They work well for beginners who want flowers without a long establishment period. (University of Minnesota Extension, 2026)
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are fast-growing annuals that do best in full sun. They are also easy to direct-sow, which makes them a simple choice when you want tall plants from seed. (University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, 2017)
Cosmos
Cosmos are another useful annual for a sunny garden. They are often started from seed and can give you a tall, airy flower display during the warm growing season.
Which fast growing plants are best for food?
Radishes, bush beans, cucumbers, basil, dill, and leafy greens are good choices when the goal is edible growth. The fastest option depends on the crop, variety, temperature, and whether you harvest young leaves or wait for mature produce.
Radishes
Radishes are one of the quickest vegetables for a home garden. Many garden radishes can be harvested about three to five weeks after planting, although variety and growing conditions affect the timing. (University of Minnesota Extension, 2024)
Radishes prefer cool conditions and loose soil. Keep the soil evenly moist while the roots develop. Harvest them when they reach a usable size rather than leaving them in the ground too long.
Bush beans
Bush beans can produce fresh pods in roughly 45 to 65 days for many varieties. They need warm conditions and cannot tolerate frost. (University of Minnesota Extension, 2026)
For a small garden, bush beans are useful because they stay more compact than pole beans and do not need a tall trellis.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers grow rapidly during warm weather and can produce fruit in around 50 to 60 days for many varieties. Some compact varieties mature sooner. (University of Minnesota Extension, 2026)
Give cucumbers plenty of sun, steady moisture, and enough room for their vines or a suitable support.
Basil
Basil is a fast-growing annual herb that gives you useful leaves during warm weather. Pinching the growing tips helps keep the plant bushy and gives you more leafy growth to harvest.
Dill
Dill is a fast-growing annual herb that can provide fresh leaves and later produce flowers and seeds. The University of Minnesota Extension describes dill as a fast-growing annual and recommends harvesting its foliage while the plant is actively growing. (University of Minnesota Extension, 2025)
Leafy greens
Leaf lettuce, mustard greens, spinach, and similar crops can provide edible leaves faster than many crops grown for mature fruit. The best timing depends strongly on the season, because many leafy greens prefer cool conditions.
How do you make fast growing plants grow well?
Fast growing plants need the right conditions from the start. Give them enough light, suitable soil, steady moisture, and the temperature they prefer.
Most vegetables and flowers need a sunny site, although the exact light requirement varies by plant. Penn State Extension notes that many vegetables and flowers need at least six to eight hours of full sun each day. (Penn State Extension, 2023)
Start with these basics:
- Choose a plant that fits the current season in your area.
- Give sun-loving plants a site with enough direct light.
- Use loose, well-drained soil for crops such as radishes.
- Water consistently while seeds are germinating and young plants are establishing.
- Give plants enough space so mature growth is not crowded.
- Harvest vegetables and herbs at the stage when you want to eat them.
Fast growth does not mean a plant can ignore poor conditions. A quick-growing crop can stall if its roots stay too wet, the soil is too cold, or the plant lacks light.
When are fast growing plants a poor choice?
Fast growing plants are a poor choice when you need a permanent, slow-changing landscape plant or when the available growing conditions do not suit the species. A plant that grows quickly can also outgrow a small container or crowd slower plants.
For containers, check the mature size before planting. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension notes that vigorous plants can quickly outgrow slower-growing plants in mixed containers.
For seasonal gardens, also check whether the plant is suited to your local temperature and planting window. A warm-season plant will not grow quickly simply because it has a reputation for fast growth if you put it into cold soil.
Common mistakes with fast growing plants
- Planting a warm-season crop too early can slow growth or damage young plants.
- Giving a sun-loving plant too little light can produce weak, stretched growth.
- Overwatering can keep roots short of oxygen and slow development.
- Crowding seedlings can limit root and leaf growth, especially in root crops.
- Choosing a plant only because it grows quickly can create a space problem later.
Frequently asked questions about fast growing plants
What are the fastest growing plants for a garden?
Radishes are among the quickest choices for an edible garden, while zinnias, marigolds, and sunflowers are good options for fast flower growth.
Which fast growing plants are best for beginners?
Radishes, zinnias, marigolds, basil, and sunflowers are straightforward choices when their basic growing conditions are met.
What vegetables grow the fastest?
Radishes are one of the quickest garden vegetables, while leafy greens, bush beans, and some cucumbers can also give relatively quick results.
What flowers grow quickly from seed?
Zinnias, marigolds, sunflowers, and cosmos can all be grown from seed and are useful choices for a quick seasonal flower display.
Can fast growing plants grow in containers?
Yes. Basil, radishes, leafy greens, bush beans, and compact cucumber varieties can work in containers when the container provides enough root space, drainage, light, and moisture.
Do fast growing plants need more fertilizer?
Not always. Fast growth depends on the whole growing environment, so start with suitable soil and follow the needs of the particular plant instead of adding fertilizer simply because the plant grows quickly.
How can I make plants grow faster?
Choose plants suited to your season, provide the light they need, keep moisture consistent, and give roots enough room. Good growing conditions usually matter more than trying to force growth with extra fertilizer.