FrostCal

When to Plant Cosmos in Arkansas

In a typical Arkansas location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 4, then sow outdoors Apr 1 – Apr 15, then transplant outdoors Apr 1 – Apr 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 20 in Texarkana and as late as Apr 19 in Centerton.

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
Little RockFeb 21 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11Mar 28 – Apr 4
Fort SmithFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
FayettevilleMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
SpringdaleMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
JonesboroMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
North Little RockFeb 21 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11Mar 28 – Apr 4
ConwayMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
RogersMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 19 – May 3Apr 19 – Apr 26
Pine BluffFeb 14 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4Mar 21 – Mar 28
BentonvilleMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 19 – May 3Apr 19 – Apr 26
Hot SpringsFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2
BentonFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
SherwoodFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
TexarkanaFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3Mar 20 – Mar 27
RussellvilleMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
JacksonvilleFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
Bella VistaMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Apr 12 – Apr 19
ParagouldFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
CabotMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
West MemphisFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2
SearcyFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
Van BurenFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
BryantFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
El DoradoFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
MaumelleMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
Siloam SpringsMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
BlythevilleFeb 18 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8Mar 25 – Apr 1
Forrest CityFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
HarrisonFeb 22 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12Mar 29 – Apr 5
Hot Springs VillageFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2

Showing the 30 most populous of 43 Arkansas cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Arkansas cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cosmos in Arkansas?

In a typical Arkansas location, start seeds indoors Feb 25 – Mar 4, then sow outdoors Apr 1 – Apr 15, then transplant outdoors Apr 1 – Apr 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 20 in Texarkana and as late as Apr 19 in Centerton.

When is the last frost in Arkansas?

The average last spring frost in Arkansas ranges from March 13 in Texarkana to April 12 in Centerton, 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 Arkansas

When to plant cosmos in other states

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