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Plant guides · Month by month

April in the garden.

What to sow and plant in April, then what is in flower and what is in fruit among the plants in our guides. The picks are the app's own monthly planting guide, which matches them to your hardiness zone.

Northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere picks are further down the page.

What to plant in April

  • Courgette Cucurbita pepo · vegetable · start indoors · zones 1 to 9

    Sow the flat seeds on their edge so water runs off rather than sitting on them. Two plants is plenty for most households, and three is usually a mistake.

  • Sunflower Helianthus annuus · flower · sow direct · zones 3 to 11

    Sow straight into warm ground where the plants will stand, because sunflowers hate root disturbance. Protect the seedlings from slugs for the first fortnight and they are away.

  • Spinach Spinacia oleracea · vegetable · sow direct · zones 2 to 9

    Spinach runs to seed the moment it gets hot and dry, so sow early and keep it watered. A little afternoon shade buys you several extra weeks of picking.

  • Zinnia Zinnia elegans · flower · start indoors · zones 1 to 10

    Zinnias want warmth and hate cold wet compost, so start them somewhere heated. Cut the first flower early and low, and the plant will branch and give you dozens more.

  • Cup and Saucer Vine Cobaea scandens · climber · start indoors · zones 1 to 9

    Sow the flat seeds on edge and expect them to be slow. Once away it climbs five meters in a season and turns creamy bells to deep purple as they age.

  • Blackcurrant Ribes nigrum · shrub · plant out · zones 3 to 8

    Plant it deep, with the base of the stems a good five centimeters under the soil, to encourage new shoots from the bottom. The fruit only comes on young wood.

  • Taro Colocasia esculenta · vegetable · plant bulbs · zones 9 to 13

    Taro wants the wettest corner you have, and it will grow happily in standing water. Plant the corms as the rains start and leave them for six months or more.

  • Dwarf banana Musa acuminata · fruit · plant out · zones 9 to 13

    Plant a sucker with a good chunk of corm attached, somewhere sheltered from wind. Bananas are thirsty and hungry, so feed and water them hard through the growing season.

  • Red Amaranth Amaranthus tricolor · vegetable · sow direct · zones 8 to 13

    One of the few leafy greens that thrives in real heat. Scatter the tiny seed on the surface, tamp it down and start picking the young leaves in about a month.

  • Dill Anethum graveolens · herb · sow direct · zones 3 to 10

    Dill has a long taproot and resents being moved, so sow it where it will stand. Keep it well away from fennel, because the two cross and the seedlings come out muddled.

  • Pear Pyrus communis · tree · plant out · zones 4 to 9

    Pears flower earlier than apples, so give them the most sheltered spot you have. Container grown trees can go in now as long as you keep them watered through the first summer.

  • Peony Paeonia lactiflora · flower · plant out · zones 3 to 8

    Plant the eyes no more than three centimeters deep, because a peony planted too low simply will not flower. Once settled it resents being moved, so choose the spot carefully.

  • Eastern gladiolus Gladiolus communis · bulb · plant bulbs · zones 6 to 11

    Plant the corms deep, around 12 centimeters, so the tall stems have something to hold onto. Put a batch in every two weeks and you stretch the flowering right through summer.

  • Spearmint Mentha spicata · herb · plant out · zones 3 to 11

    Always plant mint in a pot, even if that pot is sunk into a bed. Left loose it will run through a border in one season and be very hard to get back out.

  • Guava Psidium guajava · tree · plant out · zones 9 to 13

    Guava fruits fast, often within two years, and copes with poorer soil than most tropical fruit. Prune it low and open so you can reach the crop without a ladder.

  • Drumstick tree Moringa oleifera · tree · sow direct · zones 9 to 13

    Sow the winged seed straight where it will grow, because moringa hates having its taproot moved. Cut it back hard each year to keep the leaves within picking reach.

  • Large-leaved lupine Lupinus polyphyllus · flower · start indoors · zones 1 to 8

    Nick the hard seed coat with a knife or soak the seed overnight, or germination is patchy. Sown now they make solid plants that flower properly in their second year.

  • Blue Fescue Festuca glauca · grass · plant out · zones 4 to 9

    A neat silver blue hummock that holds its color all year in free draining soil. Comb the old growth out with your fingers each spring rather than cutting it back.

  • Saskatoon serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia · shrub · plant out · zones 1 to 7

    White blossom, edible summer berries and good autumn color, all on a shrub that shrugs off hard winters. It copes with most soils as long as they are not waterlogged.

  • Pak Choi Brassica rapa · vegetable · sow direct · zones 1 to 9

    Pak choi is quick, going from seed to plate in about six weeks. Sow it into cool damp soil and pick the whole head young, before the plant decides to bolt.

  • Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus · grass · plant out · zones 9 to 13

    Split a clump and plant the divisions as the rains begin. Give it full sun and room, because one plant becomes a knee high fountain within a season.

  • Potato Solanum tuberosum · vegetable · plant bulbs · zones 3 to 9

    Stand the seed tubers in a tray somewhere cool and bright for a few weeks first and let them sprout. Plant them a spade deep and earth up the stems as they grow.

In flower in April

  • Lenten rose Helleborus orientalis

    Late winter to mid spring · white, pink, purple, green

  • Sweet violet Viola odorata

    Late winter to mid spring · violet, white

  • Acerola Malpighia emarginata

    Spring to fall · pink, white

  • Aeonium

    Late winter to spring · yellow, white

  • African violet Saintpaulia ionantha

    Spring to autumn · purple, violet, blue

  • African Violet Streptocarpus ionanthus

    Year round with proper care · purple, violet, white, pink

  • Aloe vera Aloe variegata

    Late winter to early spring · orange, yellow, red

  • Aloe Vera Aloe vera

    Late winter to spring · yellow, orange

  • Amaryllis Hippeastrum reginae

    Late winter to early spring · red, white

  • American elm Ulmus americana

    Early spring · green, brown

  • American sycamore Platanus occidentalis

    Mid spring · green, red

  • Annual bluegrass Poa annua

    Early spring to late autumn · green, white

  • Anthurium Anthurium andraeanum

    Year round under ideal conditions · red, pink, white, salmon

  • Apricot Prunus armeniaca

    Early spring · white, pink

  • Avocado Persea americana

    Early to mid spring · yellowish green

  • Azure bluet Houstonia caerulea

    Early to late spring · blue, white, lavender

  • Bald cypress Taxodium distichum

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Barren strawberry Potentilla sterilis

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Basket willow Salix viminalis

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Beach naupaka Scaevola taccada

    Year round in tropical climates · white

  • Bear Paw Dactylopsis digitata

    Late winter to early spring · white, pale yellow

  • Beggarticks Bidens alba

    Year round in warm climates · white, yellow

  • Bigleaf Maple Acer macrophyllum

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Black poplar Populus nigra

    Early to mid spring · red, yellow

  • Black willow Salix nigra

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Blackcurrant Ribes nigrum

    Early to mid spring · greenish-yellow

  • Blackthorn Prunus spinosa

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Blue dicks Dipterostemon capitatus

    Late winter to mid spring · blue, violet, white

  • Blushing Bride Tillandsia ionantha

    Late winter to early spring · violet, purple

  • Box elder Acer negundo

    Early to mid spring · yellowish green

  • Boxwood Buxus

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Brittlebush Encelia farinosa

    Late winter to spring · yellow

  • Broad Bean Vicia faba

    Late winter to late spring · white, black

  • Buddha's hand Citrus medica

    Spring to early summer · white, purple-tinged

  • Callery pear Pyrus calleryana

    Early spring · white

  • Canary Island date palm Phoenix canariensis

    Late winter to early spring · yellow, cream

  • Cannonball tree Couroupita guianensis

    Year round in tropical climates · pink, red, yellow

  • Cashew Anacardium occidentale

    Late winter to spring · pink, yellow

  • Chenille plant Acalypha hispida

    Spring to autumn · red

  • Cherry plum Prunus cerasifera

    Early spring · white, pale pink

  • Chilean Blue Crocus Tecophilaea cyanocrocus

    Late winter to early spring · blue, white

  • Chinese hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

    Spring to autumn · red, pink, orange, yellow, white

  • Coast live oak Quercus agrifolia

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa

    Early to mid spring · yellow, brown

  • Common box Buxus sempervirens

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Common Chickweed Stellaria media

    Early spring to late autumn · white

  • Common Daisy Bellis perennis

    Early spring to mid summer · white, pink, red

  • common grape hyacinth Muscari botryoides

    Early to mid spring · blue, white

  • Common groundsel Senecio vulgaris

    Year round in mild climates · yellow

  • Common storksbill Erodium cicutarium

    Early spring to late summer · pink, lavender

  • Cottonwood Populus

    Early spring · red, yellow, green

  • Creosote bush Larrea tridentata

    Spring to early summer · yellow

  • Crown of Thorns Euphorbia milii

    Year round in warm climates · red, pink, yellow, white

  • Crowpoison Nothoscordum bivalve

    Early spring to early summer · white, yellow

  • Cutleaf toothwort Cardamine concatenata

    Early to mid spring · white, pink

  • Daffodil Narcissus

    Early to mid spring · yellow, white, orange, pink

  • Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus

    Early to mid spring · yellow, white

  • Dandelion Taraxacum officinale

    Early spring to late autumn · yellow

  • Date palm Phoenix dactylifera

    Late winter to early spring · cream, yellow

  • Distant phacelia Phacelia distans

    Early to late spring · blue, lavender, white

  • Dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis

    Early to mid spring · green, yellowish green

  • Dragon blood tree Dracaena cinnabari

    Early to mid spring · white, greenish

  • Dutchman's breeches Dicentra cucullaria

    Early to mid spring · white, yellow

  • eared willow Salix aurita

    Early to mid spring · yellow, gray

  • Eastern Cottonwood Populus deltoides

    Early spring · red, yellow

  • Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana

    Early to mid spring · yellow, brown

  • Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis

    Early to mid spring · pink, magenta, white

  • English yew Taxus baccata

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • European Ash Fraxinus excelsior

    Early to mid spring · purple, green

  • European aspen Populus tremula

    Early to mid spring · grey, red

  • European plum Prunus domestica

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Fish poison tree Barringtonia asiatica

    Year round with peaks in spring and summer · white, pink

  • Flamingo Willow Salix integra

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Flowering Maple Abutilon × hybridum

    Spring to late autumn · red, orange, yellow, pink, white

  • Flowering quince Chaenomeles speciosa

    Early to mid spring · red, pink, white

  • Fragrant sumac Rhus aromatica

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Frankincense Boswellia sacra

    Late winter to early spring · white, yellow

  • French lavender Lavandula stoechas

    Early to mid spring · purple, pink, white

  • goat willow Salix caprea

    Early to mid spring · silver, yellow

  • Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa

    Early to mid spring · green, yellow

  • Gorse Ulex europaeus

    Early spring to mid summer · yellow

  • Grape Hyacinth Muscari armeniacum

    Mid to late spring · blue, purple

  • Grey alder Alnus incana

    Early to mid spring · brown, yellow

  • Grey sallow Salix atrocinerea

    Early to mid spring · yellow, grey

  • Grey willow Salix cinerea

    Early to mid spring · yellow, gray

  • Hairy bittercress Cardamine hirsuta

    Early spring to late spring · white

  • henbit Lamium amplexicaule

    Early spring to late autumn · pink, purple

  • Hepatica Hepatica nobilis

    Early to mid spring · blue, purple, white, pink

  • Honeyberry Lonicera caerulea

    Early to mid spring · yellow, white

  • Horned Violet Viola cornuta

    Early spring to early summer · purple, blue, yellow, white

  • Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis

    Early to mid spring · blue, purple, white, pink, yellow

  • Ivy-leaved speedwell Veronica hederifolia

    Early spring to late spring · blue, violet

  • Jade vine Strongylodon macrobotrys

    Late winter to spring · jade green, blue green

  • Japanese andromeda Pieris japonica

    Early to mid spring · white, pink, red

  • Japanese Camellia Camellia japonica

    Late winter to mid spring · white, pink, red, variegated

  • Japanese dandelion Taraxacum japonicum

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Joshua tree Yucca brevifolia

    Late winter to spring · creamy-white, pale-yellow

  • Jungle Geranium Ixora coccinea

    Year round in warm climates · red, orange, yellow

  • Kaffir Lily Clivia miniata

    Late winter to spring · orange, yellow, red

  • Key lime Citrus aurantiifolia

    Spring to summer · white

  • Lesser celandine Ficaria verna

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Longan Dimocarpus longan

    Late winter to early spring · yellowish white

  • Loquat Eriobotrya japonica

    Autumn to early winter · white, pale pink

  • Lungwort Pulmonaria officinalis

    Early to mid spring · pink, blue, purple

  • Lychee Litchi chinensis

    Late winter to early spring · yellowish green

  • Mandarin orange Citrus reticulata

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Marsh marigold Caltha palustris

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Moonstone Pachyphytum oviferum

    Late winter to spring · red, white

  • Moth Orchid Phalaenopsis

    Late winter to spring · white, pink, purple, yellow, striped

  • Natal Plum Carissa macrocarpa

    Spring to autumn · white

  • Neem Azadirachta indica

    Late winter to early spring · white, pale yellow

  • Netted iris Iris reticulata

    Late winter to early spring · purple, blue, yellow, white

  • Northern spicebush Lindera benzoin

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Ocotillo Fouquieria splendens

    Spring to early summer · red

  • Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium

    Early to mid spring · yellow-green

  • Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium

    Early to mid spring · bright yellow

  • Paddle Plant Kalanchoe thyrsiflora

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Papaya Carica papaya

    Year round in tropical climates · white, yellow

  • Pasque flower Pulsatilla vulgaris

    Early to mid spring · purple, violet, red, white

  • Peach tree Prunus persica

    Early to mid spring · pink

  • Pear Pyrus communis

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Pear tree Pyrus

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Pencil flower Acalypha sp.

    Spring to autumn · red, pink, white

  • periwinkle Vinca minor

    Early to mid spring · blue, violet, white

  • Persian speedwell Veronica persica

    Early spring to late autumn · bright blue, white

  • Pink Afrikaner Gladiolus caryophyllaceus

    Late winter to mid spring · pink, white

  • Primrose Primula vulgaris

    Early to mid spring · pale yellow

  • Purple deadnettle Lamium purpureum

    Early spring to late autumn · purple, pink

  • Purple Pixie Loropetalum Loropetalum chinense

    Early to mid spring · pink, fuchsia, white

  • Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides

    Early spring · green, gray

  • Rat's Tail Cactus Aporocactus flagelliformis

    Late winter to mid spring · pink, magenta

  • Red elderberry Sambucus racemosa

    Early to mid spring · white, cream

  • Redcurrant Ribes rubrum

    Early to mid spring · greenish-yellow

  • Rhipsalis

    Late winter to spring · white, cream, yellow

  • Rose of Jericho Anastatica hierochuntica

    Spring · white

  • Rue anemone Anemonella thalictroides

    Early to mid spring · white, pink

  • Russel's Holiday Cactus Schlumbergera bridgesii

    Late winter to early spring · pink, magenta

  • Salmonberry Rubus spectabilis

    Early to mid spring · pink, magenta

  • Saskatoon serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Saucer magnolia Magnolia soulangeana

    Early to mid spring · pink, white, purple

  • Saxifrage Saxifraga

    Early to mid spring · white, pink, yellow, purple

  • Sea Buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides

    Early to mid spring · yellow, brown

  • Sea hibiscus Talipariti tiliaceum

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, red

  • Shepherd's purse Capsella bursa-pastoris

    Early spring to late autumn · white

  • Siberian elm Ulmus pumila

    Early spring · green, brown

  • Siberian Squill Othocallis siberica

    Early to mid spring · blue

  • Siberian tea Bergenia crassifolia

    Early to mid spring · pink, magenta

  • Silver tree Leucadendron argenteum

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Sims azalea Rhododendron simsii

    Late winter to mid spring · pink, red, white, purple

  • Singapore graveyard flower Plumeria obtusa

    Spring to fall · white, yellow

  • Sodom Apple Calotropis procera

    Year round in warm climates · white, purple

  • Southern dewberry Rubus trivialis

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Split rock Pleiospilos nelii

    Late winter to early spring · yellow, orange

  • Star magnolia Magnolia stellata

    Early to mid spring · white, pink

  • Sticky mouse-ear chickweed Cerastium glomeratum

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Straggler daisy Calyptocarpus vialis

    Spring to fall · yellow

  • String of bananas Senecio radicans

    Late winter to early spring · white, yellow

  • String of Buttons Crassula perforata

    Late winter to spring · white, yellow

  • Sugar Maple Acer saccharum

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Sugarbush Protea

    Late winter to early summer · pink, white, red, cream

  • Sun spurge Euphorbia helioscopia

    Late winter to mid summer · yellow, greenish yellow

  • Thale cress Arabidopsis thaliana

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Thimble Cactus Mammillaria gracilis fragilis

    Late winter to mid spring · yellow, cream

  • Torch Ginger Etlingera elatior

    Spring to late summer · red, pink

  • Tree Aeonium Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Trout Lily Erythronium americanum

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Trumpet tree Cecropia peltata

    Year round · green, white

  • Tulip Tulipa

    Early to late spring · red, yellow, pink, white, purple, orange

  • Turk's cap Malvaviscus arboreus

    Year round in warm climates · red

  • Turkey berry Solanum torvum

    Year round in tropical climates · white

  • Virginia bluebells Mertensia virginica

    Early to mid spring · blue, pink

  • Virginia pepperweed Lepidium virginicum

    Spring to early summer · white

  • Virginia spring beauty Claytonia virginica

    Early to mid spring · white, pink

  • Voodoo lily Sauromatum venosum

    Early to mid spring · maroon, purple, green

  • Wavy bittercress Cardamine flexuosa

    Early spring to mid summer · white

  • Weeping forsythia Forsythia suspensa

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Weeping Willow Salix babylonica

    Early spring · yellow, green

  • Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata

    Early to mid spring · yellow, brown

  • Western trillium Trillium ovatum

    Early to mid spring · white, pink

  • White willow Salix alba

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Wild Jack Artocarpus hirsutus

    Late winter to early spring · yellowish green

  • Willow Salix

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green, white

  • Winter Daphne Daphne odora

    Late winter to early spring · pink, white

  • Winter Heath Erica carnea

    Late winter to mid spring · pink, white, purple

  • wood anemone Anemone quinquefolia

    Early to mid spring · white, pink

  • Wood anemone Anemone nemorosa

    Early to mid spring · white, pale pink

  • Wood sorrel Oxalis

    Spring to early summer · white, pink, yellow

  • Wych elm Ulmus glabra

    Early spring · green, brown

  • Yellow Bells Tecoma stans

    Spring to fall · yellow

  • Acai palm Euterpe oleracea

    Year round in tropical climates · white, cream

  • African oil palm Elaeis guineensis

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, cream

  • Arizona cypress Cupressus arizonica

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Banana Musa × paradisiaca

    Year round in tropical climates · purple, yellow

  • Bear Paw Gynura aurantiaca

    Late winter to early spring · orange, yellow

  • Begonia

    Spring to autumn · pink, red, white, yellow

  • Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum prunifolium

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Blue cypress Cupressus macrocarpa

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta

    Mid to late spring · blue, violet

  • Bougainvillea

    Spring to autumn · pink, purple, red, white, orange, yellow

  • Bougainvillea Bougainvillea glabra

    Spring to autumn · pink, purple, white

  • Breadfruit Artocarpus altilis

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, green

  • Cacao Theobroma cacao

    Year round in optimal conditions · white, pink

  • Cape sundew Drosera capensis

    Spring to summer · pink, white

  • Chinese Money Plant Pilea peperomioides

    Late winter to early spring · white, pale pink

  • Chocolate vine Akebia quinata

    Mid to late spring · purple, maroon

  • Coast Banksia Banksia integrifolia

    Throughout the year, peaking in autumn and winter. · pale yellow

  • Coastal she oak Casuarina equisetifolia

    Spring to summer · brown, red

  • Coconut Palm Cocos nucifera

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, cream

  • Common sowthistle Sonchus oleraceus

    Spring to autumn · yellow

  • Creeping Oxalis Oxalis corniculata

    Spring to autumn · yellow

  • Creeping Spurge Euphorbia serpens

    Spring to fall · white, pink

  • Crown Imperial Fritillaria imperialis

    Mid to late spring · orange, red, yellow

  • Cupuacu Theobroma grandiflorum

    Mainly in the dry season (about July to December in the native range) · dark red, maroon

  • Dakota mock vervain Glandularia bipinnatifida

    Spring to fall · purple, lavender, pink

  • Dawn redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides

    Early spring · yellow, green

  • Desert Rose Adenium obesum

    Spring to summer · pink, red, white

  • Devil's apple Solanum linnaeanum

    Spring to autumn · purple, violet

  • Doronicum Doronicum orientale

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Drumstick tree Moringa oleifera

    Spring to early summer · white, cream

  • Dwarf banana Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish'

    Year round in tropical climates · purple, yellow

  • Early crocus Crocus tommasinianus

    Late winter to early spring · lavender, purple, silver

  • Eastern hemlock Tsuga canadensis

    Mid spring · yellow, green

  • False heather Cuphea hyssopifolia

    Spring to fall · purple, pink, white

  • Field pansy Viola arvensis

    Early spring to late autumn · white, yellow, pale violet

  • Fire Stick Euphorbia tirucalli

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Firecracker flower Crossandra infundibuliformis

    Spring to fall · orange, apricot, coral

  • Firecracker plant Russelia equisetiformis

    Spring to fall · red, coral

  • Flamingo Flower Anthurium

    Year round under ideal conditions · red, pink, white, green

  • Flowering dogwood Cornus florida

    Mid to late spring · white, pink, red

  • Forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica

    Mid to late spring · blue, pink, white

  • Fukien Tea Carmona retusa

    Intermittent throughout the year · white

  • Garden star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum umbellatum

    Mid to late spring · white, green

  • Gasteria Gasteria obliqua

    Late winter to spring · pink, orange, green

  • Geiger tree Cordia

    Spring to summer · white, orange, red

  • Geranium Pelargonium

    Spring to autumn · red, pink, white, purple

  • Geranium Pelargonium x hortorum

    Spring to autumn · red, pink, white, salmon, purple

  • Geranium Pelargonium zonale

    Spring to autumn · red, pink, white, salmon

  • Giant spider lily Crinum asiaticum

    Spring to summer · white

  • Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba

    Mid spring · green

  • Golden trumpet Allamanda cathartica

    Spring to fall · yellow

  • Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica

    Mid spring · green, purple

  • Indian hawthorn Rhaphiolepis indica

    Late winter to mid spring · white, pink

  • Italian Cypress Cupressus sempervirens

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Ivy-leaved geranium Pelargonium peltatum

    Spring to autumn · pink, red, white, lavender

  • Jabuticaba Plinia cauliflora

    Spring to summer · white

  • Japanese Cedar Cryptomeria japonica

    Late winter to early spring · yellow, brown

  • Japanese kerria Kerria japonica

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Japanese skimmia Skimmia japonica

    Mid to late spring · white, creamy

  • Jasmine Jasminum sambac

    Spring to autumn · white

  • Jatropha

    Spring to fall · red, pink

  • Judas tree Cercis siliquastrum

    Mid to late spring · pink, magenta, purple

  • Jungle Geranium Ixora

    Spring to late summer · red, orange, yellow, pink

  • kidneyleaf buttercup Ranunculus abortivus

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Laurustinus Viburnum tinus

    Late winter to mid spring · white, pink

  • Lawson cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

    Early to mid spring · yellow, red

  • Lemon Citrus limon

    Intermittent throughout the year · white, purple

  • Mango Mangifera indica

    Late winter to early spring · yellow, pink, white

  • Mexican snowball Echeveria elegans

    Late winter to spring · pink, yellow

  • Miracle berry Synsepalum dulcificum

    Sporadic throughout the year · white

  • Monkey face orchid Dracula simia

    Year round · brown, orange, yellow

  • Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe daigremontiana

    Late winter to early spring · pink, gray

  • Nipa palm Nypa fruticans

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, brown

  • Northern white cedar Thuja occidentalis

    Early to mid spring · yellow, brown

  • Norway maple Acer platanoides

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Orange Jessamine Murraya paniculata

    Intermittent throughout the year · white

  • Pacific madrone Arbutus menziesii

    Mid to late spring · white, creamy

  • Parlor palm Chamaedorea elegans

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Passion Fruit Passiflora edulis

    Mid spring to early autumn · white, purple

  • Pawpaw Asimina triloba

    Mid to late spring · maroon, purple

  • Peace Lily Spathiphyllum wallisii

    Spring to early summer · white

  • Petty spurge Euphorbia peplus

    Spring to early autumn · yellow-green

  • Pincushion Protea Leucospermum cordifolium

    Late winter to mid summer · orange, red, yellow

  • Polka dot begonia Begonia maculata

    Spring to fall · white, pink

  • Portia tree Thespesia populnea

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, maroon

  • Pot Marigold Calendula officinalis

    Early spring to first frost · orange, yellow

  • Princess tree Paulownia tomentosa

    Mid to late spring · lavender, violet

  • Purple Heart Tradescantia pallida

    Spring to fall · pink

  • Purple Shamrock Oxalis triangularis

    Spring to autumn · white, light pink

  • Radiator plant Peperomia obtusifolia 'Variegata'

    Sporadically throughout the year · white, green, yellow

  • Red mangrove Rhizophora mangle

    Throughout the year · pale yellow, white

  • Red trillium Trillium erectum

    Mid to late spring · maroon, dark red

  • Sandalwood Santalum album

    Throughout the year · yellow, red, purple

  • Sea purslane Sesuvium portulacastrum

    Spring to fall · pink, purple

  • Shiny bush Peperomia pellucida

    Year round in tropical conditions · white, green

  • Shrimp plant Justicia brandegeeana

    Spring to autumn · white, red, yellow

  • Siberian Larch Larix sibirica

    Early to mid spring · red, yellow

  • Silver Dollar Vine Xerosicyos danguyi

    Late winter to early spring · yellow, greenish-yellow

  • Snakes head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris

    Mid to late spring · purple, white, checkered

  • Soursop Annona muricata

    Throughout the year · yellow, green

  • Spanish Shawl Heterocentron elegans

    Spring to fall · pink, magenta

  • Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum var. variegatum

    Spring to summer · white

  • Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum

    Spring to summer · white

  • spiny sowthistle Sonchus asper

    Spring to autumn · yellow

  • Spring Crocus Crocus vernus

    Late winter to early spring · purple, white, striped

  • Starfruit Averrhoa carambola

    Intermittent throughout the year · pink, lavender

  • Sticky monkeyflower Diplacus aurantiacus

    Spring to late summer · orange, apricot, red, yellow

  • Tamanu Calophyllum inophyllum

    Intermittent throughout the year · white

  • Texas bluebonnet Lupinus texensis

    Mid to late spring · blue, white

  • Ti Plant Cordyline fruticosa

    Late winter to early spring · white, lavender, pink

  • Trailing Lantana Lantana montevidensis

    Spring to first frost · lavender, purple

  • Wax Begonia Begonia cucullata

    Spring to autumn · pink, white, red

  • Wax Begonia Begonia semperflorens

    Spring to autumn · white, pink, red

  • White Trillium Trillium grandiflorum

    Mid to late spring · white, pink

  • Woolly Stemodia Stemodia lanata

    Spring to late summer · purple, blue

In fruit in April

Your garden, your zone, this month.

Pocket Botanist knows your hardiness zone and hemisphere, so its monthly picks are the ones that will take where you are. It also names any plant from a photo and reminds you when each one needs water. Identification is free.

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April south of the equator

The same month, six months on in the seasons: what to plant in April in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the southern half of South America.

  • Siberian Squill Scilla siberica · bulb · plant bulbs · zones 1 to 8

    About the hardiest bulb you can buy, and it naturalizes into a blue sheet under trees. Plant it shallow and thickly, and then leave it completely alone.

  • Black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa · shrub · plant out · zones 1 to 8

    Survives brutal winters, wet ground and neglect, and still gives you fruit and scarlet autumn leaves. Plant it now while the soil holds a little warmth.

  • Winter Wheat Triticum aestivum · grass · sow direct · zones 1 to 9

    Sown over a bare bed it holds the soil together through the wettest months. Dig it in during spring and it feeds the ground with everything it took up.

  • Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis · bulb · plant bulbs · zones 4 to 9

    Plant them outdoors now, or pot prepared bulbs and keep them in the cold dark for ten weeks. Wear gloves, because the papery skins irritate a lot of people.

  • Horseradish Armoracia rusticana · vegetable · plant out · zones 3 to 9

    Plant a root cutting at an angle in a spot you are happy to give up permanently. It spreads from every fragment left behind, so a sunken container is a wise idea.

  • Quince Cydonia oblonga · tree · plant out · zones 6 to 9

    A small tree with blossom in spring and heavily scented fruit ripening right about now. Plant a potted one this month, somewhere sheltered, so its roots settle in warm autumn soil before winter, and it needs almost no pruning.

  • Chickpea Cicer arietinum · vegetable · sow direct · zones 8 to 13

    Sow into cooling soil for a crop that finishes before the real heat. It is drought hardy once established, and it fixes nitrogen for whatever follows it.

  • Tamarind Tamarindus indica · tree · plant out · zones 10 to 13

    A long lived shade tree that copes with drought and poor soil once it is up. Plant it where it can spread, because a mature tree covers a lot of ground.

  • Aloe Vera Aloe vera · herb · plant out · zones 9 to 13

    Plant offsets into gritty soil and then water it far less than feels right. It stores everything it needs in the leaves, and wet roots are the only thing that kills it.

  • Bearded Iris Iris germanica · bulb · plant bulbs · zones 3 to 9

    The rhizome must sit half out of the soil, baking in the sun, or it will not flower. Face the fan of leaves the way you want the plant to travel.

  • Winter Aconite Eranthis hyemalis · bulb · plant bulbs · zones 3 to 8

    Soak the dry tubers overnight before planting, because they shrivel badly in storage. They flower with the snowdrops and spread into golden pools under trees.

  • Primrose Primula vulgaris · flower · plant out · zones 3 to 9

    Plant it now in damp part shade so it is settled well before it flowers. Split the clumps every few years straight after flowering and you double them for free.

  • Redcurrant Ribes rubrum · fruit · plant out · zones 3 to 8

    Unlike blackcurrants these fruit on old wood, so grow them on a short leg and prune to a goblet. They crop well even against a cool shady wall.

  • Winterberry Ilex verticillata · shrub · plant out · zones 3 to 9

    It drops its leaves and leaves the branches loaded with red berries all winter. You need a male plant somewhere nearby or the females will not set fruit.

  • Pomegranate Punica granatum · shrub · plant out · zones 7 to 11

    Plant it in the hottest, driest corner you have, because it fruits best when it is stressed. A wet summer gives you leaves and split fruit rather than a crop.

  • Coffee plant Coffea arabica · shrub · plant out · zones 10 to 13

    It grows under a canopy in the wild, so give it shade and shelter rather than full sun. Keep it pruned to head height and the cherries stay within reach.

  • Breadfruit Artocarpus altilis · tree · plant out · zones 12 to 13

    One tree feeds a household for decades, but it needs deep soil and steady warmth. Plant now while the soil is still moist from the wet season, then water it deeply through the dry months ahead.

  • Mung bean Vigna radiata · vegetable · sow direct · zones 9 to 13

    Fast, tough and it fixes nitrogen, which makes it a useful gap filler between crops. Sow it into warm soil and it will be ready in around ten weeks.

  • Lungwort Pulmonaria officinalis · flower · plant out · zones 3 to 8

    Spotted leaves in dry shade and flowers that open pink then turn blue. It is one of the earliest sources of nectar for bumblebees, so plant it where they will find it.

  • Sea Buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides · shrub · plant out · zones 2 to 8

    It handles salt wind, sand and hard frost, and it fixes its own nitrogen. Plant one male for every six females if you want the orange berries.

  • White Spruce Picea glauca · tree · plant out · zones 1 to 7

    Hardy right to the treeline and useful as a windbreak where nothing else stands. Plant it now, before the ground freezes, and water it well going into winter.

  • Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea · shrub · plant out · zones 1 to 7

    A low evergreen mat for acid soil that fruits twice in a good year. It spreads by runners, so a few plants will knit into ground cover within a few seasons.

  • Siberian Pea Shrub Caragana arborescens · shrub · plant out · zones 1 to 8

    It fixes nitrogen, tolerates drought and salt, and survives temperatures that kill almost everything else. Plant a row as a shelter belt for a cold exposed garden.

  • Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus · shrub · plant out · zones 2 to 7

    Unfussy about soil and happy in shade, with white berries that hang on long after the leaves drop. Cut it back hard whenever it outgrows its space.

Other months

The planting picks are written by the Pocket Botanist editors. The flowering and fruiting months come from AI-generated care guides checked against GBIF taxonomy, and are general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.