FrostCal

When to Plant Cosmos in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 10, then sow outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 21, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

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
CharlotteMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
RaleighFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreensboroMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
DurhamMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
Winston-SalemFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
FayettevilleMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
CaryFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
WilmingtonFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2
High PointMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
AshevilleMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
GreenvilleFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
ConcordMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
GastoniaFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
JacksonvilleMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
Chapel HillMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
Rocky MountMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
HuntersvilleMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
BurlingtonMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
WilsonFeb 22 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12Mar 29 – Apr 5
KannapolisMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
ApexFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
HickoryMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
Wake ForestMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
Indian TrailMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
MooresvilleMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
GoldsboroFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
MonroeMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
SalisburyMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
Holly SpringsMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
MatthewsMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14

Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cosmos in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 10, then sow outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 21, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

When is the last frost in North Carolina?

The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, 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 North Carolina

When to plant cosmos in other states

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