February in Denver can feel unpredictable. One week brings sunshine and 60 degrees. The next reminds us that winter isn’t finished yet.
But this is actually the perfect time to begin thinking about spring, especially if you enjoy adding a little color to your porch, garden beds, or window boxes.
Starting certain flowers indoors now gives them a head start before our typical last frost (usually late April to early May in the Denver metro area). And in our shorter growing season and higher elevation climate, that head start can make all the difference.
Here are five flowers that truly perform well in Colorado when started indoors now.
1. Violas
Violas are one of the most reliable early-spring flowers for our climate.
They tolerate cool temperatures, handle light frosts well, and brighten up containers long before most perennials wake up. In fact, you’ll often see violas planted around Denver in March if the weather cooperates.
Start seeds indoors 8–12 weeks before your last frost. Once daytime temperatures are consistently mild, they can transition outside earlier than many other blooms.
2. Pansies
Closely related to violas, pansies are a Colorado spring staple.
They thrive in cool weather and often look their best before summer heat arrives. Starting them indoors now gives you sturdy plants ready to move outside as soon as conditions allow.
They prefer full sun to partial shade and appreciate cooler daytime temperatures, which makes early spring in Denver ideal.
3. Snapdragons
Snapdragons bring height and structure to spring beds and containers.
Because they have a longer growing cycle, starting them indoors is especially helpful in Colorado’s shorter season. They tolerate cool weather well and can handle mild frost once established.
Plant seeds indoors about 8–10 weeks before your last frost, and be sure to give them plenty of light as they germinate.
4. Sweet Peas
Sweet peas actually love Colorado’s cool spring weather, but timing matters.
They prefer to establish themselves before intense summer heat arrives. Starting them indoors now allows you to transplant them early in the season, giving them time to climb and bloom before July temperatures rise.
Provide support (a trellis or fence) and plant them out as soon as the soil can be worked and freezing temperatures begin to ease.
5. Geraniums
Geraniums are beloved for a reason. They’re hardy, colorful, and handle Colorado’s intense sun well once established.
They are not frost tolerant, however. Starting them indoors now allows enough time for strong growth before planting outside in late April or May, after the risk of hard frost has passed.
They do best in full sun and benefit from consistent watering during our dry months.
A Note on Colorado Growing Conditions
Gardening here is unique.
Our elevation means:
- Stronger UV exposure
- Rapid temperature swings
- Drier air
- Shorter growing windows
Starting seeds indoors gives you more control and a stronger, more resilient plant when it’s finally time to move outside.
If you’ve been itching to begin something spring-forward, this is a simple and rewarding way to do it, even while winter lingers.
This piece was inspired by reporting from Real Simple. You can read the original article here.
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