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When to plant Celosia in Jackson County County,

Spring Celosia in Jackson County County goes in April 19–May 10, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing.

When to Plant Celosia in Jackson County, MO

Jackson County, Missouri Zone 6b June

June in Jackson County, Missouri — your action list

Each item below is timed to Jackson County, Missouri's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for celosia

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: celosia

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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.

Jackson County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 563 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Celosia during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Jackson County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26
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Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 12 🌸 Bloom: Jun 14 – Oct 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🌸 Bloom: Jun 21 – Oct 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🌸 Bloom: Jul 7 – Oct 27

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 Jackson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.6) is more acidic than Celosia prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Celosia.

How to Plant Celosia

0.1"
Planting Depth
9"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Celosia

3
successive plantings in your 197-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

Celosia Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Celosia

Celosia needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celosia Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Celosia 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.

Celosia needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,447 GDD Excellent fit

Celosia Planting Timeline — Jackson County, MO

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 – May 3
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Bloom June 21 Jun 21 – Oct 11

Plant 0.1" deep · 9" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Celosia in Jackson County

Direct sow Celosia outdoors after April 12 in Jackson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celosia in Jackson County, MO?

Jackson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, MO?

Jackson County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Celosia in Jackson County, ?

In Jackson County, , plant Celosia after the last frost (around April 12) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jackson County, for Celosia?

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

Can Celosia grow in Jackson County's climate?

Yes — Celosia grows well in Jackson County's temperate climate. Jackson County averages a 197-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 12 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jackson 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 Jackson County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.