When to plant sunflower in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 9a–11a, so the right time to plant sunflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about January 15 in Sarasota to March 21 in Crestview — below are local dates for 340 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 9b | February 1 | January 5 | February 1 – February 22 |
| Miami | 11a | January 18 | January 13 | January 18 – February 8 |
| Tampa | 10a | January 20 | January 12 | January 20 – February 10 |
| Orlando | 10a | January 25 | January 10 | January 25 – February 15 |
| St. Petersburg | 10b | January 17 | January 15 | January 17 – February 7 |
| Port St. Lucie | 10a | January 23 | January 18 | January 23 – February 13 |
| Hialeah | 11a | January 18 | January 13 | January 18 – February 8 |
| Cape Coral | 10b | January 16 | January 13 | January 16 – February 6 |
Sunflower in Florida: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Florida?
Across Florida, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly January 15 in Sarasota to March 21 in Crestview, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Florida?
Yes. Florida publishes 340 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 Florida?
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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