When to Plant Sunflower in USDA Zone 11a
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.
In Zone 11a, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Sunflower Planting Timeline — Zone 11a
Where Is USDA Zone 11a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 11a. Click any state to see the Sunflower planting schedule for that location.
Sunflower Planting Calendar — Zone 11a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | November 20 | Nov 20 – Dec 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 8 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Direct Sow | January 1 | Jan 1 – Jan 22 |
| Harvest | March 19 | Mar 19 – May 7 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 30" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| February | — |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | Start Indoors |
| December | Start Indoors |
Free Zone 11a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 11a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Days to Maturity
70–100 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
40°F to 45°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
364 days (Zone 11a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 18 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 30 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Sunflower in Zone 11a
Sow every 8 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Sunflower in Zone 11a
Zone 11a offers a long growing season (~364 days). You can plant Sunflower earlier and may get multiple harvests.
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.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Level Up Your Garden
Saving Sunflower Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Sunflower in Other Zones
Sunflower by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sunflower in Zone 11a?
In Zone 11a, plan your Sunflower planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around November 20. Direct sow outdoors around January 1. Transplant seedlings around January 8.
Can Sunflower grow in Zone 11a?
Yes, Sunflower can grow well in Zone 11a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 11a has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Sunflower (70-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Sunflower in Zone 11a?
In Zone 11a, expect to harvest Sunflower from March 19 – May 7. Sunflower takes 70-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 11a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 11a is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Sunflower?
Good companion plants for Sunflower include Corn, Cucumber, Squash Summer. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
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