FrostCal

When to Plant Cosmos in West Virginia

In a typical West Virginia location, start seeds indoors Mar 23 – Mar 30, then sow outdoors Apr 27 – May 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 19 in Huntington and as late as May 13 in Beckley.

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
HuntingtonMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 19 – May 3Apr 19 – Apr 26
CharlestonMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 23 – May 7Apr 23 – Apr 30
ParkersburgMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 21 – May 5Apr 21 – Apr 28
MorgantownMar 29 – Apr 5May 3 – May 17May 3 – May 10
WheelingMar 23 – Mar 30Apr 27 – May 11Apr 27 – May 4
Weirton HeightsApr 1 – Apr 8May 6 – May 20May 6 – May 13
WeirtonApr 1 – Apr 8May 6 – May 20May 6 – May 13
FairmontMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 25 – May 9Apr 25 – May 2
MartinsburgMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 24 – May 8Apr 24 – May 1
BeckleyApr 8 – Apr 15May 13 – May 27May 13 – May 20
ClarksburgMar 25 – Apr 1Apr 29 – May 13Apr 29 – May 6
Teays ValleyMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 25 – May 9Apr 25 – May 2
South CharlestonMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
Saint AlbansMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 25 – May 9Apr 25 – May 2
ViennaMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 21 – May 5Apr 21 – Apr 28
BluefieldApr 2 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
Cross LanesMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 25 – May 9Apr 25 – May 2
MoundsvilleMar 29 – Apr 5May 3 – May 17May 3 – May 10
BridgeportMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 25 – May 9Apr 25 – May 2
Oak HillMar 24 – Mar 31Apr 28 – May 12Apr 28 – May 5

Showing the 20 most populous of 20 West Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all West Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cosmos in West Virginia?

In a typical West Virginia location, start seeds indoors Mar 23 – Mar 30, then sow outdoors Apr 27 – May 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 19 in Huntington and as late as May 13 in Beckley.

When is the last frost in West Virginia?

The average last spring frost in West Virginia ranges from April 12 in Huntington to May 6 in Beckley, 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 West Virginia

When to plant cosmos in other states

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