Best Plants to Plant in February: A Month-by-Month Gardening Guide
February marks the quiet turning point of the gardening year. While winter is still very much present across much of the UK, daylight hours are increasing, temperatures begin to stabilise, and the growing season slowly awakens. This makes February the perfect month for preparation, early sowing, and getting a head start on crops that benefit from a longer growing period.
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Although outdoor planting is still limited in many areas, there is plenty you can plant indoors, in greenhouses, or under protection. Knowing exactly what to sow now gives you stronger plants, earlier harvests, and a more productive garden later in the year.
Below is a clear, practical guide to the best plants to plant in February, with advice on how and where to grow them successfully.
🌱 Vegetables to Plant in February
Broad Beans
Broad beans are one of the hardiest vegetables and can be sown in February, either outdoors in mild areas or under cover elsewhere.
- Sow directly into the ground if soil is workable
- Alternatively, start in pots to avoid mouse damage
- Early sowing leads to earlier harvests and fewer blackfly problems
👉 Click to view recommended seed varieties and sowing equipment on Amazon
Onions (from Seed)
February is ideal for sowing onions from seed indoors.
- Start seeds in trays or modules
- Keep in a bright, frost-free place
- Results in stronger plants than sets alone
👉 Click to view onion seeds, trays, and propagation kits on Amazon
Leeks
Leeks need a long growing season, making February an excellent sowing month.
- Sow thinly in seed trays
- Grow on slowly before transplanting outdoors later
- Early sowing produces thicker stems
👉 Click to view leek seeds and seed-starting supplies on Amazon
Lettuce (Under Cover)
Fast-growing lettuce varieties can be started under protection.
- Use greenhouse, cold frame, or windowsill
- Choose cut-and-come-again varieties
- Succession sow every few weeks
👉 Click to view lettuce seed collections and mini greenhouse options on Amazon
Spinach
Spinach can be sown indoors or under cloches in February.
- Choose hardy spring varieties
- Avoid waterlogged compost
- Harvest baby leaves early
👉 Click to view spinach seeds and protective growing covers on Amazon
🌸 Flowers to Plant in February
Sweet Peas
February is one of the best months to sow sweet peas.
- Start in deep pots or root trainers
- Grow in a cool but frost-free place
- Pinch out tips for bushier plants
👉 Click to view sweet pea seeds and deep root trainers on Amazon
Antirrhinums (Snapdragons)
These long-flowering plants benefit from an early start.
- Sow indoors with gentle warmth
- Do not cover seeds—light aids germination
- Ideal for borders and cut flowers
👉 Click to view antirrhinum seeds and heated propagators on Amazon
Lobelia
Perfect for baskets and containers later in the year.
- Sow on the surface of compost
- Needs light and warmth to germinate
- Slow-growing, so early sowing is key
👉 Click to view lobelia seeds and fine seed compost on Amazon
Begonias (from Tuber)
February is the time to start begonia tubers indoors.
- Place tubers hollow-side up
- Keep warm and lightly watered
- Grow on for summer containers
👉 Click to view begonia tubers and suitable containers on Amazon
🌿 Herbs to Plant in February
Basil (Indoors)
Basil needs warmth, making February perfect for indoor sowing.
- Use a sunny windowsill or propagator
- Sow little and often
- Great for early kitchen harvests
👉 Click to view basil seeds and indoor herb kits on Amazon
Parsley
Parsley is slow to germinate, so early sowing is beneficial.
- Start indoors for best results
- Soak seeds overnight before sowing
- Transplant outdoors once established
👉 Click to view parsley seeds and seed trays on Amazon
Chives
Chives are hardy and easy to start early.
- Grow indoors or in the greenhouse
- Can be grown year-round on a windowsill
- Excellent companion plant
👉 Click to view chive seeds and herb pots on Amazon
🏡 Fruit to Plant in February
Bare-Root Fruit Trees
February is one of the last chances to plant bare-root trees.
- Apples, pears, plums, and cherries
- Plant while still dormant
- Water well after planting
👉 Click to view bare-root fruit trees and planting accessories on Amazon
Raspberry Canes
Bare-root raspberries can still be planted this month.
- Choose summer or autumn-fruiting types
- Improve soil with compost
- Cut back canes after planting if required
👉 Click to view raspberry canes and garden supports on Amazon
🌱 Seeds Best Avoided in February
Not everything benefits from early sowing. Avoid sowing:
- Courgettes
- Beans (except broad beans)
- Squash
- Outdoor carrots
These grow too quickly indoors and suffer when planted out too early.
❄️ Growing Conditions to Watch in February
- Light: Use bright windowsills or grow lights
- Temperature: Most seeds prefer 15–20°C
- Watering: Keep compost moist, not wet
- Ventilation: Prevent damping off
👉 Click to view grow lights, heated propagators, and seed compost on Amazon
🌼 Final Thoughts
February may feel early, but it’s one of the most important months for setting up a successful gardening year. By sowing the right plants now—under cover and with care—you give crops the time they need to develop strong roots and healthy growth.
Focus on slow-growing vegetables, early flowers, and indoor herbs, and you’ll be rewarded with earlier harvests, stronger plants, and a more productive garden overall.
With the right seeds, equipment, and protection, February becomes a month of quiet progress and big potential.