The World's Most Popular Color! 12 True Blue Flowers to Grow from Seed

There’s something about the color blue that seems to soothe the soul. After all, it’s the most popular color in the world. So it’s no surprise that gardeners want to incorporate blue flowers into their landscapes.

From birthday bouquets to weddings, blue flowers are often requested. The color seems to fit with every occasion. While not all blue flowers work well in cut arrangements, many are easy to grow in your garden.

We’ve put together a list of 12 heirloom, true-blue flowers you can grow from seed. Our list includes both perennial and annual plants. Some of these flowers may be surprising choices since they are often listed as herbs.

Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)

Annual

These wildflowers look especially beautiful in a large meadow planting. Baby Blue Eyes is a California native wildflower that grows low to the ground, reaching 4 to 6 inches in height. They can spread 6 to 12 inches wide.

Although they’re annuals, Baby Blue Eyes self-seed to come back in a stunning display year after year. The seeds will sprout in moist soil at a temperature of 55°F to 65°F. They can grow in full sun to partial shade, usually blooming in March to June. They prefer the cooler weather and will stop blooming in the summer heat. Plant them in the same area as your summer-blooming favorites, such as zinnias and sunflowers, so there is always something blooming.

Borage (Borago officinalis)

Annual

This beautiful blue flower is also a beneficial companion plant. Borage can repel tomato hornworms while attracting bees and butterflies. It also has edible leaves with a salty, cucumbery flavor. Young leaves, before they become hairy, have the best flavor and can be eaten raw or brewed into tea.

Borage is a vigorous self-sower; you can expect it to appear again next year. Pick the flowers and enjoy them indoors to prevent seeds from forming. Alternatively, you can let them grow alongside squash, cabbage, and other vegetables for their beneficial properties.

Blue Flax (Linum lewisii)

Perennial

Blue flax flowers make a delightful mix with other wildflowers in orange hues. This heirloom flower has a long history of being a very useful plant. Flax can be woven into strong fibers, and its seeds are edible. Flax seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids and have a nutty flavor.

Sow Blue Flax seeds in the fall with other wildflowers or in the spring. The blooms only last a day, but they produce green seedpods that turn a golden flax color. Another benefit of Blue Flax flowers is that you can let them go to seed for a foraging crop for chickens.

Heavenly Blue Morning Glory (Ipomoea)

Annual

This is the flower to grow on a trellis. Morning glory vines have large, heart-shaped leaves that will wrap around poles and quickly cover a trellis. The big blue flowers bloom in the morning sun and attract hummingbirds to your garden.

Annual Morning Glory is a frost-tender flower. They grow best in a location with bright morning sun and afternoon shade. For a true-blue color, try the Heavenly Blue heirloom variety.

Blue Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea)

Perennial

The state flower of Colorado is a natural blue beauty. Blue Columbine can be used as a cut flower. It is also beneficial for hummingbirds and butterflies. The nectar in Columbine flowers provides food in the spring, just when these creatures need it most.

You can sow Columbine seeds at any time of year, either by starting them indoors or by direct sowing. Plant them in a shady wildflower or cottage garden and allow them to self-seed. The foliage will die back in winter, but regrow in spring.

Chinese Forget-me-nots (Cynoglossum amabile)

Annual

Dainty little Forget-me-not flowers bloom on big stalks that can grow 12 to 24 inches tall. This Chinese variety is the best one to use in floral bouquets. It grows best in partially shady, cool spaces.

You can sow Forget-me-not seeds outdoors in the fall or after the last spring frost. Chinese Forget-me-nots will self-sow, but this variety is not considered invasive. Plant it with your tulips and other spring flowers for a beautiful spring display.

Wild Blue Iris (Iris missouriensis)

Perennial

This beautiful heirloom flower starts out looking like shoots of grass. But be patient. Soon, you’ll have blue flowers that are resistant to deer and rabbits. Plant this perennial and you’ll enjoy seeing it come back year after year.

Wild Blue Iris is a hardy perennial and can be grown in all gardening zones. Once you start it from seed, it will continue spreading through rhizomes. It blooms in May or June, depending on the climate. The seeds require cold stratification, so you can plant them in late fall or stratify them indoors to plant in spring. Wild Blue Iris can grow in full sun to partial shade.

Blue Sage is (Salvia farinacea)

Perennial in warmer climates

The natural bush of leaves with stalks of blue flowers makes Salvia plants a popular choice for landscaping. Known for being reliable bloomers that are safe from deer and rabbits, it is often used in borders and can also be grown in containers.

Sometimes known as mealycup sage, Blue Sage is native to Texas and Mexico. It can be grown as a perennial in zones 7-10, and as an annual in cooler zones. It provides nectar for pollinators and is a favorite with bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The seeds require light for germination and can be started indoors or outside.

Lupines - Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus Texensis)

Annual

The beloved state flower of Texas is a stunning wildflower with vivid blue blooms on plants that can reach up to 12 inches in height. This annual in the Lupine family will bloom in cool spring temperatures.

Direct sow Texas Bluebonnet seeds in late fall or start indoors, 10-12 weeks before the last frost date. Lightly scarify the seed coat and soak seeds in water for 48 hours before planting.

Bachelor buttons (Centaurea cyanus)

Annual

Cornflowers come in different colors, but cornflower blue is a distinct color name. Also called Bachelor Buttons, these are an excellent cut flower and great for beginner gardeners. With the right conditions, Cornflowers can last for 7 to 14 days in a vase.

Cornflower seeds can be direct sown after all danger of frost has passed. You can also start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Succession sowing will give you blue blooms all season.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Perennial

This flowering variety of Chicory is often grown for its roots, which have many medicinal benefits. The long taproot makes it highly adaptable to poor soil conditions.

While you’re waiting for Chicory roots to mature, you can enjoy the blue flowers that bloom on stalks that can grow 4 feet tall. The leaves can be picked and eaten as a green leafy vegetable. If you want to harvest the roots for roasting, wait until the fall when the cooler temperatures will give them a sweeter taste.

Passion flower (Passiflora caerulea)

Perennial in warm climates

Common Passionflower is a mix of purple, blue, and white filament flowers.

In warm zones, Passionflower can be grown as a perennial, while in cold climates, it will die in freezing winter temperatures.

Passion flower is a vigorous grower and can quickly fill in a trellis or fence in one growing season. This makes it a great vining plant for cooler growing zones. Passionflower will thrive in the long summer days and add a tropical vibe to your garden.

One of the interesting things about this list of blue flowers is that they typically have small blossoms. Unlike big showy dahlias and peonies, these blue flowers are delicate and feel like a surprise when you see them.

All of these blue flowers are heirloom varieties that you can grow from seed. And because they aren’t hybrids, you can save the seeds from your favorite blue flowers to plant next year.

Blue flowers are always a beautiful delight in the garden. Try growing these heirloom blue flowers and add a unique natural color to your landscape.