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When to Plant Celosia in Borden County, TX

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.

Borden County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,231 feet, Borden County receives approximately 47.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Celosia may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Celosia will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Borden County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Borden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Timeline — Borden County, TX

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 – Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 12
Bloom May 24 May 24 – Oct 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

227 days in Borden County

Growing Tips for Borden County

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 Borden County, TX?

Borden County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Borden County, TX?

Borden County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 11.

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Your Borden County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Borden County (Zone 8a). 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 Borden County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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