When to Plant Zinnias in Mississippi
In a typical Mississippi location, start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Feb 20, then sow outdoors Mar 20 – Apr 3, then transplant outdoors Mar 20 – Mar 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 19 in Biloxi and as late as Apr 10 in Oxford.
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
| City | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | Feb 6 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 20 |
| Gulfport | Jan 21 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 4 |
| West Gulfport | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 9 |
| Southaven | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Hattiesburg | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Biloxi | Jan 15 – Jan 22 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Feb 26 |
| Meridian | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Olive Branch | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 |
| Tupelo | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Greenville | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
| Horn Lake | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Pearl | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Mar 28 |
| Madison | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Mar 28 |
| Starkville | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Clinton | Feb 6 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 20 |
| Ridgeland | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Mar 28 |
| Brandon | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Mar 28 |
| Columbus | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
| Vicksburg | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 12 |
| Oxford | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Pascagoula | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Laurel | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Gautier | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 15 |
| Ocean Springs | Jan 15 – Jan 22 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Feb 26 |
| Clarksdale | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Long Beach | Jan 21 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 4 |
| Hernando | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 |
| Greenwood | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Mar 31 |
| Natchez | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Corinth | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 45 Mississippi cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Mississippi cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant zinnias in Mississippi?
In a typical Mississippi location, start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Feb 20, then sow outdoors Mar 20 – Apr 3, then transplant outdoors Mar 20 – Mar 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 19 in Biloxi and as late as Apr 10 in Oxford.
When is the last frost in Mississippi?
The average last spring frost in Mississippi ranges from February 12 in Biloxi to April 3 in Oxford, 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 Mississippi
- 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
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant zinnias in other states