FrostCal

When to Plant Cosmos in Alabama

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Feb 21 – Feb 28, then sow outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 11, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 28 in Mobile and as late as Apr 13 in Jacksonville.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 60–90 days

Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.

Cosmos Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
HuntsvilleFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
BirminghamFeb 21 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11Mar 28 – Apr 4
MontgomeryFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3Mar 20 – Mar 27
MobileJan 24 – Jan 31Feb 28 – Mar 14Feb 28 – Mar 7
TuscaloosaFeb 18 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8Mar 25 – Apr 1
HooverFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2
DothanFeb 1 – Feb 8Mar 8 – Mar 22Mar 8 – Mar 15
AuburnFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3Mar 20 – Mar 27
DecaturFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
MadisonFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
FlorenceFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
Phenix CityFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 12 – Mar 26Mar 12 – Mar 19
GadsdenFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2
East FlorenceFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
PrattvilleFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3Mar 20 – Mar 27
Vestavia HillsFeb 21 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11Mar 28 – Apr 4
AlabasterFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2
OpelikaMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
EnterpriseFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30Mar 16 – Mar 23
BessemerFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
HomewoodFeb 21 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11Mar 28 – Apr 4
AthensFeb 20 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10Mar 27 – Apr 3
DaphneFeb 15 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5Mar 22 – Mar 29
NorthportFeb 18 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8Mar 25 – Apr 1
DixianaMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
PelhamFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2
PrichardJan 24 – Jan 31Feb 28 – Mar 14Feb 28 – Mar 7
AnnistonFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
AlbertvilleFeb 17 – Feb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7Mar 24 – Mar 31
OxfordFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6

Showing the 30 most populous of 72 Alabama cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Alabama cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cosmos in Alabama?

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Feb 21 – Feb 28, then sow outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 11, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 28 in Mobile and as late as Apr 13 in Jacksonville.

When is the last frost in Alabama?

The average last spring frost in Alabama ranges from February 21 in Mobile to April 6 in Jacksonville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cosmos take to grow?

Cosmos typically take 60–90 days from planting to harvest. Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.

Other Crops in Alabama

When to plant cosmos in other states

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