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When to plant Ageratum in Cass County, MO

The best window to plant Ageratum in Cass County, is April 14–May 5, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 14; first frost October 22.

When to Plant Ageratum in Cass County, MO

Cass County, Missouri Zone 6b June

Your June planting checklist for Cass County, Missouri

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start ageratum under lights

    Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.

  2. Basket week: ageratum

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: ageratum

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Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), the floss flower, produces clusters of fluffy, powder-puff blooms in the rare sky-blue and lavender tones difficult to find among warm-season annuals. Compact mounding habit makes it ideal as a front-of-border edging plant. Blooms from early summer through fall with minimal deadheading; heat and humidity tolerant once established.

Cass County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 910 feet, Cass County receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Ageratum during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Cass County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Ageratum Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 7 🌸 Bloom: Jun 2 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 14 🌸 Bloom: Jun 9 – Sep 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 1 🌸 Bloom: Jun 26 – Oct 9

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Cass County

How your county's soil matches Ageratum's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Ageratum's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Cass County is excellent for Ageratum — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Ageratum.

How to Plant Ageratum

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Ageratum

3
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 to harvest before frost.

Ageratum Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 317 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Ageratum

Ageratum needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Ageratum Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cass County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Ageratum Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Ageratum needs ~1,029 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Ageratum Planting Timeline — Cass County, MO

Ageratum Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 – May 5
Bloom June 9 Jun 9 – Sep 22

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Ageratum in Cass County

Direct sow Ageratum outdoors after April 14 in Cass County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Ageratum in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost — do not cover seed; it needs light to germinate. Can be direct-sown after last frost once soil warms to 60°F. Transplant or thin to proper spacing after frost danger passes. Deadheading isn't strictly required but tidying spent clusters improves appearance. Provide consistent moisture; drought causes premature setting. Avoid deep shade — blooms best in full sun to light afternoon shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Ageratum in Cass County, MO?

Cass County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Ageratum planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, MO?

Cass County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.

When should I plant Ageratum in Cass County, MO?

In Cass County, MO, plant Ageratum after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Cass County, MO for Ageratum?

Cass County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Ageratum grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Ageratum grow in Cass County's climate?

Yes — Ageratum grows well in Cass County's temperate climate. Cass County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Cass County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cass County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cass County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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