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When to Plant Sunflower in Mississippi

Sunflowers are tall, cheerful annuals grown for their edible seeds and as pollinator magnets. They come in sizes from 2-foot dwarfs to 12-foot giants.

Mississippi spans USDA hardiness zones 7b, 8a, 8b (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 Sunflower planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Sunflower Planting Calendar for Mississippi

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 January 28 Jan 28 – Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 15
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 – Jul 29
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 January 18 Jan 18 – Feb 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 – Apr 5
Harvest May 31 May 31 – Jul 19
Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

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

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 7 Jan 7 – Jan 21
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Harvest May 20 May 20 – Jul 8

Growing Tips for Mississippi

Direct sow after last frost. Stake tall varieties in windy areas. Harvest seed heads when the back turns brown and seeds are plump. Dry heads upside down.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sunflower in Mississippi?

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

What zone is Mississippi for planting?

Mississippi contains USDA hardiness zones 7b, 8a, 8b. 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: April 2026.