What Cut Flowers to Sow Now in Australia According to Your Climate Zone

Gardening in Australia is a rewarding experience, thanks to the diverse climate zones that allow for various flowers to bloom year-round. Whether you have a green thumb or are just starting out, knowing your climate zone is essential for sowing the right flowers at the right time. This guide will help you identify the best flower seeds to plant now based on your specific climate zone, ensuring a vibrant and flourishing garden.

Young lisianthus plugs thriving in rich soil, planted in the high tunnel.

Understanding Australia's Climate Zones

Australia features several climate zones, each with distinct traits that influence what plants can thrive. The main zones include:

• Cool Climate: Cooler mountainous regions where frost is common and temperatures can drop significantly.

• Temperate: Southern parts of Australia where all four seasons are prominently experienced.

• Subtropical: Coastal regions characterized by mild winters and hot summers.

• Tropical: Found in the northern regions, these areas enjoy warm temperatures throughout the year.

• Arid: These dry areas experience extreme temperature variations and limited rainfall.

  
  
  
  

Identifying your climate zone is the first step to selecting flowers that will thrive in your garden.

🌼 Cool Climate Zones (VIC Highlands, TAS, Canberra)

Current Month Focus: Late winter to early spring sowing & planting.

• Direct Sow Outdoors: Sweet peas, larkspur, cornflowers, nigella, calendula

• Transplant Seedlings: Snapdragons, stock, carnation

• Inside/Undercover Sowing: Zinnias, cosmos, celosia (start indoors to plant out after frost danger)

• Bulbs/Corms: Gladiolus, Oriental lily

Why now? Soil is warming but frosts may still occur, so frost-sensitive flowers start best indoors.

🌺 Temperate Zones (Coastal NSW, Adelaide, Perth)

Current Month Focus: Early warm-season planting begins.

• Direct Sow Outdoors: Zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, marigolds, bachelor’s buttons

• Transplant Seedlings: Lisianthus, carnation

• Succession Planting: Continue sowing snapdragons, stock, and statice for staggered blooms.

• Perennials to Plant: Echinacea, rudbeckia, lavender

Why now? Mild days and cool nights help both spring and summer crops establish before summer heat.

🌸 Subtropical Zones (Brisbane, Northern NSW)

Current Month Focus: Warm-season flowers in full swing.

• Direct Sow Outdoors: Zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, amaranthus, sunflowers

• Transplant Seedlings: Celosia, gomphrena, basil for companion planting

• Cut & Come Again Flowers: Dahlia, salvia, statice

• Longer-term Blooms: Plant chrysanthemum cuttings for autumn harvest

Why now? Temperatures are perfect for fast germination and growth—watch for sudden hot spells and water consistently.

🌻 Tropical Zones (Darwin, Cairns)

Current Month Focus: Peak planting season before the wet sets in.

• Direct Sow Outdoors: Zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, amaranthus, celosia

• Transplant Seedlings: Sunflowers, gomphrena

• Bulbs: Dahlia

• Note: Avoid cool-loving annuals (snapdragons, larkspur) – they’ll bolt quickly.

Why now? The dry season’s warmth and lower humidity are ideal for lush growth.

🌵 Arid/Desert Zones (Alice Springs, Inland WA/SA)

Current Month Focus: Short bursts of planting with careful irrigation.

• Direct Sow Outdoors: Sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos – choose heat-tolerant varieties

• Transplant Seedlings: Statice, marigolds, celosia

• Bulbs: Gladiolus for bright, hardy blooms

• Water-wise Choices: Gomphrena, amaranthus, strawflower

Why now? Daytime warmth speeds germination, but protect seedlings from hot winds.

🌱 General Tips for All Zones

• Succession Sowing: Sow small batches every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest.

• Soil Prep: Add compost and slow-release fertiliser before planting for nutrient-rich beds.

• Pest Watch: Aphids, slugs, and caterpillars emerge with warmer weather—inspect regularly.

• Harvest Smart: Pick early morning when blooms are hydrated for best vase life.

Planting with the seasons—and your climate zone—will reward you with healthier plants, more blooms, and a longer harvest window. Whether you’re growing for farmers’ markets, florists, or simply your own kitchen table, the right choice now means armfuls of flowers in weeks to come.

Download Flower Sowing Calendar by Veggie & Flower Garden Seeds here.