When to plant sunflower in Arizona
Arizona spans USDA zones 6a–10a, so the right time to plant sunflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about January 4 in Bullhead City to June 4 in Flagstaff — below are local dates for 68 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 9b | January 8 | December 25 | January 8 – January 29 |
| Tucson | 9b | February 5 | December 9 | February 5 – February 26 |
| Mesa | 9b | February 1 | December 10 | February 1 – February 22 |
| Gilbert | 9b | February 1 | December 11 | February 1 – February 22 |
| Chandler | 9b | February 13 | December 5 | February 13 – March 6 |
| Glendale | 9b | January 20 | December 15 | January 20 – February 10 |
| Scottsdale | 10a | January 27 | December 21 | January 27 – February 17 |
| Peoria | 9b | February 5 | December 11 | February 5 – February 26 |
Sunflower in Arizona: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Arizona?
Across Arizona, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly January 4 in Bullhead City to June 4 in Flagstaff, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Arizona?
Yes. Arizona publishes 68 cities with their own frost dates, so the right sunflower planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does sunflower take to grow in Arizona?
Sunflower takes about 70–100 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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