12 Best Plants for Kids to Grow (2023)

Gardening

• 01 of 12

  Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)

  

  Children can reach out and stroke the fuzzy leaves of lamb's ear. This perennial can thrive in poor soil, is drought-tolerant, and is deer-resistant, making it easy to grow. Just make sure to show your kids how to water the plant from its base, as overhead watering can cause rot and fungal diseases.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties:Purple
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, acidic
  • Mature Size: 12–18 in. tall, up to 12 in. wide
  • Deer Resistant:Yes

• 02 of 12

  Viola (Viola spp.)

  

  There are many viola species to choose from, each with distinctive features and flower colors in many shades of the rainbow. So your kids are bound to find something they like. For the most part, they are grown as annuals or short-lived perennials. But they will readily self-seed and spread in the garden. Plus, viola flowers are edible and can be used as garnishes or even candied. If you deadhead, or remove the spent blooms, you can prolong the flowering period.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
  • Flower Color Varieties:Purple, blue, yellow, orange, white
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained, acidic
  • Mature Size: 4–10 in. tall and wide
  • Deer Resistant:No

• 03 of 12

  Silver Dollar Plant (Lunaria annua)

  

  The silver dollar plant is a biennial (completing its life cycle in two seasons) that’s grown for its unusual pods. Kids can marvel over the shape and color of these silver dollar-like pods, which almost look more like ornaments than natural objects. Just make sure to remove the pods before they drop their seeds if you don’t want the plant to spread in your garden.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
  • Flower Color Varieties:Purple, pink
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained, acidic to neutral
  • Mature Size: 2–3 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant:No

• 04 of 12

  Red Hot Poker Plant (Kniphoff spp.)

  

  Red hot poker plants come in bright colors and bold shapes—a sure way to capture a child’s imagination. They get their name from the tall, narrow flower spikes that feature blooms in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. Some varieties come in solid colors while others are bicolored. To prolong the flowering period, deadhead the spent blooms.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties:Red, orange, yellow
  • Light: Full
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, neutral
  • Mature Size: 2–4 ft. tall, 1–3 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant:Yes

  Continue to 5 of 12 below.

• 05 of 12

  Purple Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea)

  

  If you have a small pond or otherwise boggy soil in your yard, a purple pitcher plant might be just the thing to grow with your kids. Both the flowers and rosette of tubular leaves of this perennial are visually fascinating. Plus, the plant is actually carnivorous, trapping bugs in its leaves.It's a low-maintenance plant overall; just make sure not to let the soil dry out.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:6 to 8
  • Flower Color Varieties:Purple
  • Light:Full, partial
  • Soil Needs:Loamy, moist, acidic
  • Mature Size:8–12 in. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant:Yes

• 06 of 12

  Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum)

  

  Grape hyacinth is a spring-blooming bulb. And as its common name suggests, its blooms look like little clusters of grapes—at least if you use some childlike imagination. They also have a pleasant aroma. Planting the bulbs in the fall is quick and easy, and your kids will be excited to see the fruits of their labor come springtime. Just make sure not to overwater, as this can rot the bulb.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
  • Flower Color Varieties:Blue, white, lavender, pink, yellow
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained, acidic to neutral
  • Mature Size: 6–9 in. tall, 3–6 in. wide
  • Deer Resistant:Yes

• 07 of 12

  Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

  

  The visual statement made by the showy blooms of hollyhocks will surely impress children. And the plant’s mature size will tower over most kids. Hollyhocks are easily grown from seed, though you’ll have to wait a year for flowers. Sow the seeds after the danger of frost has passed, and keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy as they emerge.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 10
  • Flower Color Varieties:White, pink, red, yellow, purple
  • Light: Full
  • Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained, acidic to alkaline
  • Mature Size: 6–8 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant:Yes

• 08 of 12

  Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)

  

  Draw in some pollinators for your kids to observe with a butterfly bush. Not only does this plant attract its namesake, butterflies, but it also will bring in hummingbirds and other pollinators. There’s no need to deadhead the flowers. Just make sure the plant gets enough sun to maximize its blooming potential.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties:Purple, pink
  • Light: Full
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, acidic to neutral
  • Mature Size: 2–3 ft. tall and wide
  • Deer Resistant:Yes

  Continue to 9 of 12 below.

• 09 of 12

  Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)

  

  Jewelweed appears to sparkle when it gets wet, a characteristic that earned it its common name. This annual plant blooms in the springtime and then produces seed capsules that burst open at the slightest touch, something that kids might delight in. However, if you don’t want the plant to spread in your garden, be sure to remove the pods (carefully) before they burst.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
  • Flower Color Varieties:Yellow, orange
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, clay, medium moisture, acidic to neutral
  • Mature Size: 3–6 ft. tall and wide
  • Deer Resistant:No

• 10 of 12

  Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)

  

  Hens and chicks is a low-growing perennial succulent that is quite low-maintenance. Its common name (which, in itself, might appeal to kids) refers to the fact that the mother plants (hens) make offshoots (chicks) that can simply be plucked off and grown somewhere else. Kids will love engaging in this elementary form of transplanting. Beyond that, don't give this plant too much love in the way of water or fertilizer.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
  • Flower Color Varieties:Pink, red-purple
  • Light: Full
  • Soil Needs: Sandy, well-drained, acidic to alkaline
  • Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall, 6–18 in. wide
  • Deer Resistant:Yes

• 11 of 12

  Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

  

  Marigolds are annual flowers that are easy for kids to grow from seed. They are hardy and reliably bloom, even if they don’t quite receive their ideal growing conditions. Marigold flowers come in many different shapes and colors, allowing your kids to pick their preferences. They’re also fast-growing and will begin blooming just a few months after the seeds are planted.Deadhead the spent blooms for continual flowering.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
  • Flower Color Varieties:Yellow, orange, white, red, gold, bicolor
  • Light: Full
  • Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained, acidic to neutral
  • Mature Size: 4–48 in. tall, 6–24 in. wide
  • Deer Resistant:Yes

• 12 of 12

  Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

  

  Sweet alyssum is an easy annual to start from seed, and it’s not very fussy about its growing conditions. It’s even great for container growth and looks wonderful draping over the sides of window boxes. So your kids will be able to enjoy their plantings even when they’re inside. The flowers also have a sweet, honey-like fragrance. Just make sure not to overwater and that your soil has good drainage.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties:White, pink, purple
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained, acidic to neutral
  • Mature Size: 3–9 in. tall, 6–12 in. wide
  • Deer Resistant:Yes