When to plant sunflowers
Short answer
Plant sunflowers about 1 week after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 22. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | Jan 22 | Apr 12 |
| Zone 2 | — | Feb 22 | May 13 |
| Zone 3 | — | Mar 17 | Jun 5 |
| Zone 4 | — | Apr 6 | Jun 25 |
| Zone 5 | — | Apr 22 | Jul 11 |
| Zone 6 | — | May 7 | Jul 26 |
| Zone 7 | — | May 22 | Aug 10 |
| Zone 8 | — | Jun 8 | Aug 27 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Sunflowers is a tender crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
Your exact dates
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Frequently asked questions
When should I plant sunflowers?
Plant sunflowers about 1 week after your last spring frost. That's around Apr 6 in zone 4 and May 7 in zone 6.
Can I direct sow sunflowers?
Yes — sunflowers is usually sown directly in the garden rather than started indoors.
How long until sunflowers blooms?
About 80 days from planting until first bloom. In zone 6, sunflowers planted around May 7 is typically blooming near Jul 26.