When to Plant Cosmos in Texas
In a typical Texas location, start seeds indoors Feb 7 – Feb 14, then sow outdoors Mar 14 – Mar 28, then transplant outdoors Mar 14 – Mar 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 15 in Edinburg and as late as Apr 28 in Dumas.
Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Cosmos Planting Dates by City
| City | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | Jan 5 – Jan 12 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Feb 9 – Feb 16 |
| San Antonio | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 11 |
| Dallas | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
| Fort Worth | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 19 |
| Austin | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
| El Paso | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
| Arlington | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
| Corpus Christi | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 14 |
| Plano | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Laredo | Dec 23 – Dec 30 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Jan 27 – Feb 3 |
| Lubbock | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Garland | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Irving | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
| Cypress | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 5 |
| Amarillo | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Grand Prairie | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
| Brownsville | Dec 12 – Dec 19 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Jan 16 – Jan 23 |
| McKinney | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Mar 31 |
| Frisco | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Pasadena | Jan 5 – Jan 12 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Feb 9 – Feb 16 |
| Mesquite | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
| Killeen | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Mar 28 |
| McAllen | Dec 12 – Dec 19 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Jan 16 – Jan 23 |
| Carrollton | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
| Midland | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 |
| Waco | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
| Denton | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
| Abilene | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
| Round Rock | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Beaumont | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Feb 28 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 258 Texas cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Texas cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant cosmos in Texas?
In a typical Texas location, start seeds indoors Feb 7 – Feb 14, then sow outdoors Mar 14 – Mar 28, then transplant outdoors Mar 14 – Mar 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 15 in Edinburg and as late as Apr 28 in Dumas.
When is the last frost in Texas?
The average last spring frost in Texas ranges from January 8 in Edinburg to April 21 in Dumas, 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 Texas
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant cosmos in other states