FrostCal

When to Plant Cosmos in New Mexico

In a typical New Mexico location, start seeds indoors Mar 16 – Mar 23, then sow outdoors Apr 20 – May 4, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 7 in Chaparral and as late as May 31 in Las Vegas.

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
AlbuquerqueMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
Las CrucesFeb 12 – Feb 19Mar 19 – Apr 2Mar 19 – Mar 26
Rio RanchoMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 15 – Apr 29Apr 15 – Apr 22
Enchanted HillsMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 23 – May 7Apr 23 – Apr 30
Santa FeApr 16 – Apr 23May 21 – Jun 4May 21 – May 28
RoswellMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
FarmingtonApr 4 – Apr 11May 9 – May 23May 9 – May 16
South ValleyMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 25 – May 9Apr 25 – May 2
ClovisMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 21 – May 5Apr 21 – Apr 28
HobbsFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
AlamogordoFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30Mar 16 – Mar 23
CarlsbadFeb 17 – Feb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7Mar 24 – Mar 31
GallupApr 13 – Apr 20May 18 – Jun 1May 18 – May 25
Sunland ParkFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
Los LunasMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
ChaparralJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
DemingMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 14 – Apr 28Apr 14 – Apr 21
Las VegasApr 26 – May 3May 31 – Jun 14May 31 – Jun 7
ArtesiaMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25
Los AlamosApr 4 – Apr 11May 9 – May 23May 9 – May 16
PortalesMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
LovingtonFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
North ValleyMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
EspanolaApr 13 – Apr 20May 18 – Jun 1May 18 – May 25
Silver CityMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
AnthonyJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
GrantsApr 19 – Apr 26May 24 – Jun 7May 24 – May 31

Showing the 27 most populous of 27 New Mexico cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New Mexico cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cosmos in New Mexico?

In a typical New Mexico location, start seeds indoors Mar 16 – Mar 23, then sow outdoors Apr 20 – May 4, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 7 in Chaparral and as late as May 31 in Las Vegas.

When is the last frost in New Mexico?

The average last spring frost in New Mexico ranges from February 28 in Chaparral to May 24 in Las Vegas, 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 New Mexico

When to plant cosmos in other states

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