April soil is waking up, and the window between the last frost and the first heat wave is your chance to establish flowers, herbs, and perennials that will define your garden for the rest of the season. The right choices now mean deep roots before summer stress hits.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent years tracking germination data, bloom timelines, and real-world owner feedback to match specific plants to specific planting windows across hardiness zones.
Whether you are sowing sunflower seeds direct-dirt or tucking live perennials into prepared beds, this guide breaks down the five most reliable options for the season. Here is my curated list of the best plants to plant in april based on cold tolerance, growth speed, and visual payoff.
How To Choose The Best Plants To Plant In April
April planting requires balancing soil temperature, frost risk, and the plant’s own growth clock. The wrong pick can stall or rot in cold dirt. Focus on three variables to get it right.
Cold Hardiness and Frost Date
April soil can still dip below 50°F in many zones. Hardy perennials like chives and bee balm tolerate light frost, while tender annuals like impatiens need consistently warm nights. Always check your last average frost date before planting.
Sun Exposure and Space
Full-sun plants (sunflowers, blazing star) demand 6+ hours of direct light, while New Guinea impatiens perform best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Measure your bed’s light pattern before buying — a shade plant in full sun will scorch; a sun lover in shade will stretch and flop.
Bloom Timing and Season Length
Choose early bloomers (chives, bee balm) for quick color, or later bloomers (sunflowers, blazing star) if you want the show to peak in midsummer. Perennials like chives and bee balm return year after year, making them better long-term investments for a single price.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Cherry Sunflower Seeds | Seed | Fast-growing annual color | 200 seeds, 48-60 in tall | Amazon |
| Bonnie Plants Onion Chives | Live Herb | Edible perennial garnish | 4-pack, Zones 3-10 | Amazon |
| Live Flowering Bee Balm (Balmy Purple) | Live Perennial | Pollinator-attracting border | 2 plants, 2-4 ft tall | Amazon |
| New Guinea Impatiens (Assorted) | Live Annual | Shade-tolerant quick color | 3 plants, 18 in tall | Amazon |
| Purple Blazing Star (Liatris) | Bulb | Drought-tolerant vertical accent | 5 bulbs, up to 40 in tall | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Chocolate Cherry Sunflower Seeds to Plant – Heirloom & Non-GMO
This seed pack from Marde Ross & Company delivers 200 non-GMO chocolate cherry sunflower seeds — a massive count for covering borders or cut-flower patches. The expected height of 48 to 60 inches makes them a strong backdrop plant, especially when spaced 8 to 12 inches apart as recommended.
Being an heirloom variety tested by a California nursery operating since 1985, the genetics are stable and bred for flavor and color rather than shipping durability. The planting depth is a shallow 1/2 inch, so even beginner gardeners can sow them directly into warm April soil without fuss.
These sunflowers are neonicotinoid-free, which means they will not harm the bees and beneficial insects that arrive in spring. The only real downside is that sunflower seeds require consistent moisture during germination, and a dry spell in April can stall the sprout if you do not water regularly.
What works
- High seed count (200) for large-area planting
- Heirloom non-GMO genetics from a trusted nursery
- Attracts pollinators without chemical treatments
What doesn’t
- Seeds need consistent moisture during germination
- Tall stalks may require staking in windy spots
2. Bonnie Plants Onion Chives – 4 Pack Live Plants
Bonnie Plants delivers a 4-pack of live onion chives that thrive as a hardy perennial in zones 3 through 10. The frost-tolerant grass-like leaves emerge early in spring, and the edible purple blooms that follow make this both a culinary herb and an ornamental edge plant.
Because these are live plants rather than seeds, you get an immediate head start: no germination waiting period, no thinning. The compact clumps reach about 12 inches tall and spread slowly, making them ideal for borders, container edges, or replacing gaps left by winter losses.
The only catch is that chives prefer regular watering and will decline if left bone-dry for long stretches. The package ships as four separate plants, so you can space them out or keep them clustered depending on your design need.
What works
- Live plants establish immediately with no germination lag
- Perennial across a wide zone range (3-10)
- Edible leaves and flowers for kitchen use
What doesn’t
- Needs consistent moisture; not drought-tolerant
- Limited to culinary/edible applications as a primary plant
3. Live Flowering Bee Balm – Balmy Purple (2 Plants Per Pack)
This live bee balm from The Three Company ships as two established plants in 1-quart pots, already rooted and ready for April transplant. The Balmy Purple variety reaches 2 to 4 feet tall with a 3 to 4 foot spread, making it a substantial perennial that serves as a border anchor or mass planting.
Bee balm belongs to the mint family, which means it spreads via rhizomes over time, filling bare spots without requiring replanting. It prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter — a simple prep that pays off with summer bloom spikes that draw butterflies and hummingbirds.
The main drawback is that bee balm is susceptible to powdery mildew in humid climates, especially if air circulation is poor. Spacing the plants a few feet apart and watering at the base rather than overhead will mitigate that risk significantly.
What works
- Live plants establish fast with strong root systems
- Long bloom period attracts pollinators all summer
- Rhizomatous spread fills gaps over seasons
What doesn’t
- Prone to powdery mildew in humid conditions
- Spread may overtake small beds if not divided
4. Live Flowering New Guinea Impatiens – Grower’s Choice Assorted Colors (3 Plants Per Pack)
This 3-pack of live New Guinea Impatiens from The Three Company offers a premium shade-garden solution. Unlike standard impatiens, these have larger flowers and thicker foliage that resists downy mildew, and they prefer morning sun with afternoon shade — not deep, dark corners.
At maturity the plants reach 18 inches tall with a 9-inch spread, and the assorted colors (pink, red, lavender, white) arrive as a grower’s mix. They flower continuously from spring through fall if kept consistently moist but not waterlogged, and they respond well to applications of organic matter at planting time.
The main limitation is that these are annuals — they will not survive frost, so they must be planted after all danger of frost has passed in your zone. While they are low maintenance once established, they do require regular watering and will sulk if allowed to dry out completely.
What works
- Thrives in partial shade where many flowers struggle
- Three live plants provide instant garden density
- Large blooms with mildew-resistant foliage
What doesn’t
- Annual — must be replanted each year
- Strict moisture needs; no drought tolerance
5. Purple Blazing Star – 5 Fresh Bulbs – Liatris Spicata
This 5-bulb pack of Liatris spicata (blazing star) from Marde Ross & Company offers a low-maintenance perennial that thrives in poor soil and tolerates drought once established. The bulbs are temperature-controlled to preserve freshness, and the variety is known for velvety purple spikes that reach up to 40 inches tall.
Blazing star blooms from May through June, and its vertical flower spikes create striking contrast against rounded or mounding plants. The blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds during the late-spring nectar gap, and the plant is naturally deer resistant, which is a major advantage in suburban gardens.
The bulbs should be planted 4 to 5 inches deep in full sun to part shade, and they are hardy in zones 3 through 9. The main downside is that they require patience — bulbs may take a full season to establish and produce maximum bloom height, unlike live plants that deliver immediate impact.
What works
- Deer resistant and drought tolerant once established
- Vertical flower spikes add structural interest
- Pollinator-friendly with late-spring bloom timing
What doesn’t
- Slow to establish first season; patience required
- Bulbs need precise planting depth (4-5 inches)
Planting Specs Guide
Seed Depth and Spacing
Sunflower seeds require no more than 1/2 inch of soil cover, spaced 8-12 inches apart for a 48-60 inch mature height. Bulbs like Liatris need 4-5 inch depth for proper root anchorage. Live plants (chives, bee balm, impatiens) are less depth-sensitive but should be set at the same level as their nursery pot to avoid stem rot.
Watering and Moisture Needs
All five options specify regular watering, but bee balm and chives are the most sensitive to dry spells — deep watering every 1-2 weeks at the base is ideal. Sunflower seeds need surface moisture daily until sprouting. New Guinea impatiens require consistent dampness without saturation. Established Liatris bulbs can handle extended dry periods once rooted.
FAQ
Can I plant all five of these in the same April week?
Which of these plants will return next year without replanting?
Do any of these plants attract unwanted pests?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best plants to plant in april winner is the Chocolate Cherry Sunflower Seeds because the 200-seed count, heirloom genetics, and neonicotinoid-free status give you massive value and pollinator safety from day one. If you want edible perennial returns, grab the Bonnie Plants Onion Chives. And for shade-tolerant long-bloom color, nothing beats the New Guinea Impatiens.