When to Plant Black-eyed Susan in Mississippi
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan) is one of the most recognizable and adaptable native wildflowers in North America. Its bright golden-yellow daisy petals radiate from a dark brown central cone, providing months of color from midsummer into fall. Technically a short-lived perennial that self-seeds freely — colonies persist indefinitely in the garden — it thrives in poor soils, tolerates drought, and is irresistible to bees, butterflies, and goldfinches.
Mississippi spans USDA hardiness zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
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Click your county for exact Black-eyed Susan planting dates based on your local frost dates.
Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.
Black-eyed Susan Planting Calendar for Mississippi
▸ Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 14 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Direct Sow | March 11 | Mar 11 – Apr 1 |
| Bloom | June 3 | Jun 3 – Oct 14 |
▸ Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 11 | Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Direct Sow | March 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 22 |
| Bloom | May 17 | May 17 – Oct 4 |
▸ Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 31 | Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Direct Sow | February 11 | Feb 11 – Mar 4 |
| Bloom | May 6 | May 6 – Sep 30 |
▸ Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 16 | Dec 16 – Dec 30 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 27 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Direct Sow | January 27 | Jan 27 – Feb 17 |
| Bloom | April 7 | Apr 7 – Aug 25 |
Growing Tips for Mississippi
Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct-sow after last frost (needs light to germinate — press seeds onto soil surface, do not cover). Thrives in average to poor soil; rich soil causes floppy stems. Deadhead for extended bloom but leave some seed heads for winter wildlife interest and self-seeding. Although technically short-lived (3–5 years), prolific self-seeding maintains the colony. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily. Divide every 3 years to maintain vigor.
Black-eyed Susan in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Black-eyed Susan in Mississippi?
Planting dates for Black-eyed Susan in Mississippi depend on your USDA zone. Mississippi spans zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Mississippi for planting?
Mississippi contains USDA hardiness zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.