When to plant sunflower in Missouri
Missouri spans USDA zones 5b–7b, so the right time to plant sunflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 26 in Sikeston to April 21 in Kirksville — below are local dates for 87 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 6b | April 4 | November 2 | April 4 – April 25 |
| St. Louis | 7a | April 1 | November 4 | April 1 – April 22 |
| Springfield | 7a | April 4 | October 27 | April 4 – April 25 |
| Columbia | 6b | April 5 | October 31 | April 5 – April 26 |
| Independence | 6b | April 10 | October 27 | April 10 – May 1 |
| Lee's Summit | 6b | April 7 | October 29 | April 7 – April 28 |
| O'Fallon | 6b | April 10 | October 26 | April 10 – May 1 |
| St. Charles | 6b | April 8 | October 29 | April 8 – April 29 |
Sunflower in Missouri: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Missouri?
Across Missouri, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly March 26 in Sikeston to April 21 in Kirksville, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Missouri?
Yes. Missouri publishes 87 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 Missouri?
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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