When to plant sunflower in Indiana
Indiana spans USDA zones 5b–7a, so the right time to plant sunflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 29 in Evansville to May 2 in Auburn — below are local dates for 86 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | 6b | April 20 | October 21 | April 20 – May 11 |
| Fort Wayne | 6a | April 24 | October 21 | April 24 – May 15 |
| Evansville | 7a | March 29 | November 10 | March 29 – April 19 |
| South Bend | 6a | April 23 | October 23 | April 23 – May 14 |
| Fishers | 6a | April 21 | October 21 | April 21 – May 12 |
| Carmel | 6a | April 21 | October 21 | April 21 – May 12 |
| Bloomington | 6b | April 15 | October 26 | April 15 – May 6 |
| Hammond | 6a | April 23 | October 20 | April 23 – May 14 |
Sunflower in Indiana: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Indiana?
Across Indiana, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly March 29 in Evansville to May 2 in Auburn, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Indiana?
Yes. Indiana publishes 86 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 Indiana?
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.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.