How to plant your own wildflowers

Planting wildflowers is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to support the environment, and Wildflower Week is the perfect time to get started. Whether you’ve got a garden, a balcony, or just a windowsill, sowing wildflower seeds helps to restore lost habitats, support pollinators, and even combat climate change.

Why Grow Wildflowers?

Since the 1930s, the UK has lost around 97% of its wildflower meadows, largely due to changes in farming and land use. This has had a devastating impact on pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are essential for food production and biodiversity.

Wildflowers do more than just support insects; in fact, they play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy environment. They help prevent soil erosion, reduce the risk of flooding, and contribute to carbon sequestration by storing carbon in the soil. In addition, they create valuable habitats for birds and other forms of wildlife. By planting even a small patch of wildflowers, you’re giving nature a real chance to thrive again.

Where Can I Grow Wildflowers?

No garden? No problem.

You don’t need a large plot of land to make a difference. Wildflowers grow happily in pots, tubs, window boxes, or hanging baskets. All you need is some soil (ideally low in nutrients), sunlight, and a little care during the early stages.

When to Plant Wildflowers

You can sow wildflower seeds:

• In spring – between mid-March and May

• In autumn – September to October

Autumn-sown seeds may flower the following year, while spring-sown ones will usually bloom the same year.

Step-by-Step: How to Plant Wildflowers

1. Choose the Right Spot

Wildflowers love the sun! Pick a sunny or semi-sunny location, whether that’s a garden patch or a sunny windowsill.

2. Prepare the Ground (or Pot)

For garden planting: Remove aggressive weeds like nettles, thistles and dock, then mow any existing grass very short. Ideally, expose at least 50% bare soil by raking or tilling.

For pots or tubs: Use basic garden soil or even regular dirt. Avoid compost if you can - wildflowers grow best in low-nutrient soils. Just water them more frequently in dry weather and make sure they get enough sun.

3. Sow the Seeds

Use 2g of pure wildflower mix per square metre or 4-5g if your mix includes grasses.

You can mix seeds with sand for even spreading, scatter them over the surface, then cover with a very thin layer of soil.

4. Make Good Contact

Rake lightly to incorporate the seeds, or press them gently into the soil by walking over the area or using a wooden board.

5. Water Well

Water thoroughly right after sowing. For potted wildflowers, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Once established, wildflowers are hardy and drought-tolerant.

Caring for Your Wildflowers

Protect from birds and pets in the early stages. Netting can help keep seeds safe while they germinate. Avoid fertilisers or compost - wildflowers don’t need rich soil, and too much nutrition encourages grass to dominate. Cut the wildflowers once a year, ideally in late summer after flowering. Use a strimmer or scythe for tall wildflower areas rather than a mower. Leave the cuttings for a few days so seeds can drop, then remove to prevent enriching the soil. You can also save your own seeds before cutting to share with others, or plant even more wildflowers yourself!

Growing wildflowers isn’t just for gardeners - it’s for everyone. Whether you have a tiny pot or a whole meadow, your wildflower patch will help support pollinators, wildlife, and the planet. This Wildflower Week, why not make space for nature to bloom?