When to Plant Sunflower in New York

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a fast-growing North American native annual famous for its towering stems and brilliant yellow heads. It thrives in full sun and heat, producing large, pollen-rich blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and seed-eating birds. Varieties range from 18-inch dwarfs to 12-foot giants and nearly every color except blue.

New York spans USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b (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 Sunflower planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Sunflower Planting Calendar for New York

▸ Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	April 10	Apr 10 – Apr 24
Transplant Outdoors	May 8	May 8 – May 22
Direct Sow	May 8	May 8 – May 29
Bloom	July 31	Jul 31 – Oct 2

▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	April 4	Apr 4 – Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors	May 2	May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow	May 2	May 2 – May 23
Bloom	July 25	Jul 25 – Oct 3

▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	March 28	Mar 28 – Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors	April 25	Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow	April 25	Apr 25 – May 16
Bloom	July 18	Jul 18 – Oct 3

▸ Zone 6a ~193 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 10 · First frost: October 20 · 193 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	March 20	Mar 20 – Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors	April 17	Apr 17 – May 1
Direct Sow	April 17	Apr 17 – May 8
Bloom	July 10	Jul 10 – Oct 2

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

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

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	March 13	Mar 13 – Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors	April 3	Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow	April 3	Apr 3 – Apr 24
Bloom	June 26	Jun 26 – Sep 25

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

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

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	March 4	Mar 4 – Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 15
Bloom	June 17	Jun 17 – Sep 23

▸ 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	February 25	Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors	March 18	Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow	March 18	Mar 18 – Apr 8
Bloom	June 10	Jun 10 – Sep 30

Growing Tips for New York

Direct-sow 1 inch deep after last frost; germination takes 7-14 days at 65-75°F soil. Sunflowers dislike root disturbance so direct sowing is strongly preferred over transplanting. Plant in succession every 2 weeks for extended bloom. Stake tall varieties. Avoid overwatering — they tolerate drought once established. Birds will self-deadhead seed heads; leave them up through fall for wildlife.

Sunflower in Other States

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sunflower in New York?

Planting dates for Sunflower in New York depend on your USDA zone. New York spans zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is New York for planting?

New York contains USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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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