When to Plant Gladiolus in Texas

Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) produce tall, stately spikes of trumpet-shaped blooms in a rich array of colors, making them one of the most popular cut flowers in the world. Each spike carries 12–20 florets that open in succession from bottom to top over 7–10 days. By planting corms every two weeks from last frost through early summer, gardeners create a continuous succession of fresh blooms from midsummer through fall. Corms multiply each season — a single planting becomes a growing collection over the years. Ideal for back-of- border planting, cutting gardens, and mixed summer containers.

Texas spans USDA hardiness zones 10a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b (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 Gladiolus planting dates based on your local frost dates.

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Gladiolus Planting Calendar for Texas

▸ Zone 10a ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	January 1	Jan 1 – Jan 15
Direct Sow	January 1	Jan 1 – Jan 22
Bloom	March 12	Mar 12 – Oct 8

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

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

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	April 3	Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow	April 3	Apr 3 – Apr 24
Bloom	June 19	Jun 19 – Oct 9

▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

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

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 15
Bloom	June 3	Jun 3 – Oct 7

▸ Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	March 18	Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow	March 18	Mar 18 – Apr 8
Bloom	May 27	May 27 – 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
Transplant Outdoors	March 8	Mar 8 – Mar 22
Direct Sow	March 8	Mar 8 – Mar 29
Bloom	May 17	May 17 – Oct 18

▸ Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	February 25	Feb 25 – Mar 11
Direct Sow	February 25	Feb 25 – Mar 18
Bloom	May 6	May 6 – Oct 21

▸ Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	February 10	Feb 10 – Feb 24
Direct Sow	February 10	Feb 10 – Mar 3
Bloom	April 21	Apr 21 – Oct 20

▸ Zone 9b ~329 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 25 · First frost: December 20 · 329 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	January 25	Jan 25 – Feb 8
Direct Sow	January 25	Jan 25 – Feb 15
Bloom	April 5	Apr 5 – Oct 18

Growing Tips for Texas

Plant corms 4–6 inches deep, pointed end up, as soon as soil reaches 60°F after last frost. Space 4–6 inches apart; rows 12 inches apart. Stake or grow through a support grid — tall varieties reach 4–5 feet and tip in wind. Begin succession plantings every 2 weeks through early July for continuous bloom. Water deeply once a week; mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Cut spikes for vases when the lowest floret just begins to open. After first killing frost (in cold zones), dig corms, let dry for 3–4 weeks in a ventilated spot, remove cormels, and store in mesh bags at 35–50°F. In zones 7b–8a, corms sometimes survive mild winters in ground with heavy mulch; in zones 8b+, in-ground overwintering is reliable.

Gladiolus in Other States

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Gladiolus in Texas?

Planting dates for Gladiolus in Texas depend on your USDA zone. Texas spans zones 10a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Texas for planting?

Texas contains USDA hardiness zones 10a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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.

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