My favorite part of parenting is watching my kids hunt for sweet peas in the garden or offering me a warm tangerine they harvested to peel for them. These are the moments that make gardening with children so rewarding. The garden is a natural playground for kids, with its wriggling worms, muddy hands, bizarrely shaped fruits, and the promise of fresh, delicious food. While planting the usual garden favorites like radishes and tomatoes is always a good idea, consider adding a few of the unique plants on this list to spark your children’s curiosity and excitement. All of these plants thrive in Los Angeles and are perfect for spring planting.

1. Strawberry Popcorn (Zea mays)

Strawberry Popcorn is a tiny, ruby-red corn that’s sure to amaze your kids. Watch as small, colorful ears appear on short, sturdy plants. Once they’re dry, harvest the kernels, give them a little more time to dry, and then… pop! You’ll have a healthy snack that’s way more fun than anything from a bag (your kids will ask you to add butter and salt, I resist but do what you must).

2. Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)

This plant is the source of the natural sweetener you might have seen in stores. Its leaves offer a surprisingly intense sweetness, perfect for a quick garden snack. As the plant matures and flowers, it attracts a flurry of bees, all drawn to its nectar-rich blossoms.

3. African Lion’s Tail (Leonotis leonurus)

You may have fond memories as a child of picking honeysuckle. The flowers of the African lion’s tail have a similar honey-like nectar. These plants can reach over six feet tall in the summer and form tubular orange flowers loved by hummingbirds and kids with a sweet tooth. Flowers are pulled from the plant’s tiered whorls which are sharp and a good way to teach kids to be gentle with plants. Each flower has one drop of highly sweet nectar inside. When the flower whorls dry, collecting seeds from them makes a fun project.

4. Mexican Sour Gherkin (Melothria scabra)

This fruit resembles a tiny watermelon with a cucumber crunch. Train the vines on a trellis, where they can climb up to ten feet high. Kids have fun searching for the camouflage fruits to pop into their mouths. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try pickling them. 

5. Toothache Plant (Spilanthes acmella)

Imagine eating something that tastes like a battery, older kids love it! The leaves and attractive yellow button-like flowers create a buzzing sensation on your lips and tongue when chewed. Grow this and you will quickly find yourself in competitions to see who can eat the most flowers at one time. My current record is twenty. 

6. African Horned Melon (Cucumis metuliferus)

Imagine a fruit that looks like it came from outer space! This spiky melon, with its bright yellow skin, is something you might see in a “Star Wars” movie. Cut it open to find green jelly that tastes just like a cool cucumber. 

7. Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)

These gourds have been used for centuries as bottles and utensils. Many were elaborately decorated, showcasing the artistry of their makers. Dry them out and transform them into charming birdhouses by drilling a hole in them, removing the seeds (for planting next year) and painting. 

8. Fava Beans (Vicia faba)

You might be surprised to find fava beans on this list, especially if your only exposure to them is from the movie “The Silence of the Lambs.” But these legumes are actually a fantastic choice for gardening with kids. The seeds are large and perfect for little fingers, they germinate easily, grow quickly, and produce an abundance of pods with a fun, fuzzy interior. Preparing and cooking fava beans involves several steps which are perfect for new chefs. And if they’re not fans of the taste, chewing on the leaves, which are also edible, will turn their tongues green. 

9. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

This tall plant bursts with vibrant flowers with edible red sepals and calyces. Enjoy them straight from the plant for a tangy treat, or simmer them in water with some sugar and lemon to create a refreshing summer beverage. You might recognize this drink as‘agua de Jamaica.

10. Microgreens

Microgreens are exactly what they sound like: tiny, nutrient-packed greens. What’s amazing is that you can grow just about any edible plant as a microgreen – think kale, lettuce, basil, radish and many more! They’re incredibly versatile, thriving in trays or pots year-round, and you can harvest them in just 3-4 weeks, perfect for impatient little gardeners.

Choosing your plants

When planning your garden this spring, consider adding a few of these unique plants. The larger ones like Roselle and African lion’s tail can be placed in the back of your garden and you only need one of each plant. If you only have some small spaces or pots to plant in, try a stevia or toothache plant. If you have a fence that can handle a plant growing on it, try the birdhouse gourd or Mexican sour gherkin. If you have no garden space, you can start of tray of microgreens every two weeks for a continual supply of fresh greens. 

Gardening with these plants can help kids develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for nature. They take pride in bringing in some fresh gherkins for the dinner salad or popping their own garden popcorn for the family to eat during a Saturday night movie. Planting a few of these plants will help grow your children’s wonder and curiosity. 

Rick Perillo believes in the power of hands-on learning and its ability to transform students into lifelong environmental stewards. As Seed to Table Manager for MUSE Global School, he cultivates engaging garden programs that inspire curiosity and connection with the natural world.