FrostCal

When to Plant Cosmos in Tennessee

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Mar 9 – Mar 16, then sow outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 27, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 28 in Bristol.

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
NashvilleMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
New South MemphisFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
MemphisFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
KnoxvilleMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25
ChattanoogaFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
ClarksvilleMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
MurfreesboroMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
East ChattanoogaFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
FranklinMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
CordovaMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
JacksonMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
Johnson CityMar 22 – Mar 29Apr 26 – May 10Apr 26 – May 3
BartlettMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
HendersonvilleMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25
KingsportMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
ColliervilleMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
SmyrnaMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
ClevelandMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
BrentwoodMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
GermantownMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
HermitageMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
ColumbiaMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
Spring HillMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
La VergneMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
GallatinMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 23 – May 7Apr 23 – Apr 30
CookevilleMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 21 – May 5Apr 21 – Apr 28
Mount JulietMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
LebanonMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
MorristownMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
Oak RidgeMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Apr 12 – Apr 19

Showing the 30 most populous of 70 Tennessee cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Tennessee cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cosmos in Tennessee?

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Mar 9 – Mar 16, then sow outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 27, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 28 in Bristol.

When is the last frost in Tennessee?

The average last spring frost in Tennessee ranges from March 16 in New South Memphis to April 21 in Bristol, 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 Tennessee

When to plant cosmos in other states

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