FrostCal

When to Plant Zinnias in Arizona

In a typical Arizona location, start seeds indoors Jan 16 – Jan 23, then sow outdoors Feb 20 – Mar 6, then transplant outdoors Feb 20 – Feb 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 11 in Bullhead City and as late as Jun 11 in Flagstaff. 3 cities in Arizona are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 60–70 days

Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.

Zinnias Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
PhoenixDec 8 – Dec 15Jan 12 – Jan 26Jan 12 – Jan 19
TucsonDec 23 – Dec 30Jan 27 – Feb 10Jan 27 – Feb 3
MesaJan 16 – Jan 23Feb 20 – Mar 6Feb 20 – Feb 27
ChandlerJan 16 – Jan 23Feb 20 – Mar 6Feb 20 – Feb 27
GilbertJan 16 – Jan 23Feb 20 – Mar 6Feb 20 – Feb 27
GlendaleDec 23 – Dec 30Jan 27 – Feb 10Jan 27 – Feb 3
ScottsdaleJan 16 – Jan 23Feb 20 – Mar 6Feb 20 – Feb 27
PeoriaDec 23 – Dec 30Jan 27 – Feb 10Jan 27 – Feb 3
TempeJan 16 – Jan 23Feb 20 – Mar 6Feb 20 – Feb 27
Tempe JunctionJan 16 – Jan 23Feb 20 – Mar 6Feb 20 – Feb 27
SurpriseDec 23 – Dec 30Jan 27 – Feb 10Jan 27 – Feb 3
YumaDec 11 – Dec 18Jan 15 – Jan 29Jan 15 – Jan 22
San Tan ValleyJan 4 – Jan 11Feb 8 – Feb 22Feb 8 – Feb 15
AvondaleDec 10 – Dec 17Jan 14 – Jan 28Jan 14 – Jan 21
GoodyearDec 10 – Dec 17Jan 14 – Jan 28Jan 14 – Jan 21
FlagstaffMay 7 – May 14Jun 11 – Jun 25Jun 11 – Jun 18
Casas AdobesJan 29 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19Mar 5 – Mar 12
Lake Havasu CityDec 8 – Dec 15Jan 12 – Jan 26Jan 12 – Jan 19
Casa GrandeJan 8 – Jan 15Feb 12 – Feb 26Feb 12 – Feb 19
BuckeyeDec 10 – Dec 17Jan 14 – Jan 28Jan 14 – Jan 21
Catalina FoothillsJan 23 – Jan 30Feb 27 – Mar 13Feb 27 – Mar 6
MaricopaJan 26 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16Mar 2 – Mar 9
Oro ValleyMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
Sierra VistaMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Apr 12 – Apr 19
Prescott ValleyMar 23 – Mar 30Apr 27 – May 11Apr 27 – May 4
PrescottApr 2 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
MaranaJan 26 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16Mar 2 – Mar 9
Bullhead CityDec 7 – Dec 14Jan 11 – Jan 25Jan 11 – Jan 18
Apache JunctionJan 14 – Jan 21Feb 18 – Mar 4Feb 18 – Feb 25
Sun CityDec 23 – Dec 30Jan 27 – Feb 10Jan 27 – Feb 3

Showing the 30 most populous of 72 Arizona cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Arizona cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant zinnias in Arizona?

In a typical Arizona location, start seeds indoors Jan 16 – Jan 23, then sow outdoors Feb 20 – Mar 6, then transplant outdoors Feb 20 – Feb 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 11 in Bullhead City and as late as Jun 11 in Flagstaff. 3 cities in Arizona are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

When is the last frost in Arizona?

The average last spring frost in Arizona ranges from January 4 in Bullhead City to June 4 in Flagstaff, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do zinnias take to grow?

Zinnias typically take 60–70 days from planting to harvest. Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.

Other Crops in Arizona

When to plant zinnias in other states

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