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When to Plant Celosia in Oklahoma

Celosia (Celosia argentea) encompasses the vivid cockscomb (cristata) and feathery plumed (plumosa) types that explode with color in summer heat. Drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, they thrive in the hottest parts of the season and produce long-lasting blooms both in the garden and as cut or dried flowers. A reliable filler in sunny annual beds.

Oklahoma spans USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Celosia planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Celosia Planting Calendar for Oklahoma

Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 – May 1
Bloom June 12 Jun 12 – Oct 2
Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 15
Bloom May 27 May 27 – Sep 23
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 February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 8
Bloom May 20 May 20 – Sep 30
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 February 8 Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors March 1 Mar 1 – Mar 15
Direct Sow March 1 Mar 1 – Mar 22
Bloom May 3 May 3 – Sep 27

Growing Tips for Oklahoma

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost, or direct-sow after soil warms above 60°F. Does not transplant well from large pots — sow in small cells or direct-sow. Needs full sun and warm soil; cold stress causes stunting. Pinch first bloom to encourage branching. Water at the base; wet foliage encourages fungal issues. Excellent dried flower — harvest before seeds set for the best color retention.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celosia in Oklahoma?

Planting dates for Celosia in Oklahoma depend on your USDA zone. Oklahoma spans zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Oklahoma for planting?

Oklahoma contains USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: June 2026.