The Fastest-Growing Flowering Plants

• Marigold flowers are fast-growing annuals. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  The fastest growing plants are those that germinate quickly and are able to flower within a few months after they have been planted. Some of these plants are considered invasive because they can be aggressive and choke out other plants in the flower garden. They are easy to grow and generally spread very quickly.

Common Snapdragon

• The common snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is a herbaceous perennial that can grow up to 3 feet tall. The flowers resemble the face of a dragon. When the sides of the flower are squeezed and let go, they snap shut. Common snapdragons bloom in spring and vary in color from pink and purple to yellow, orange and white. Snapdragons require full sun and well-drained soils. Snapdragons should be planted 14 inches apart, because they will spread quickly.

Butter Daisy

• Butter daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) is also commonly called the oxeye daisy or the field daisy. It can grow up to 3 feet tall. The flowers bloom from early spring to late summer and are white with a yellow center. The butter daisy is often seen as an invasive weed because it spreads quickly. It can be found in fields and along roadsides. It prefers dry soils and full sun.

Common Sunflower

• The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an annual plant that can grow up to 8 feet tall very quickly. The yellow flowers bloom in early spring and are frequently 5 inches in diameter. The center of the flower is paced with seeds that are eaten by animals. The seeds are also grown commercially and sold as snacks. According to the Texas A&M Extension office, the common sunflower is one of the most abundant flowers in the state of Texas. It prefers full sunlight and well-drained soils.

Marigold

• Marigold (Tagetes spp.) is a herbaceous annual that is a member of the sunflower family. The flowers are round and up to 2 inches in diameter. They bloom from early spring to late summer and spread very quickly. They vary in color from orange, gold, yellow to white. The plants are hardy and adaptable to a wide variety of conditions. The flowers thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils.

Nasturtium

• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a full-sun annual that can grow up to a foot tall. It is also commonly referred to as Indian Cress. The flowers bloom from May to July and appear in various colors including yellow, cream, orange, white, red and pink. The flowers grow best in poor, infertile soils. Nasturtium is a climbing vine that can spread quickly. It is often used as a ground cover or as a cut flower.