Annual Flower

When to Plant Nasturtiums in Texas

Edible flowers that double as pest traps. Plant near vegetables to lure aphids away from your food crops.

The Short Answer

Nasturtiums in Texas are a cool-season flower — they prefer the mild temperatures of fall through spring and struggle in summer heat.

Texas Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Texas you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Texas (Dallas) 7b, 8a Mar 10 - Mar 25 Nov 5 - Nov 20
Central Texas (Austin/SA) 8a, 8b Feb 25 - Mar 15 Nov 15 - Dec 5
South Texas (Valley) 9a, 9b, 10a Jan 15 - Feb 10 Dec 10 - Jan 5
Texas Panhandle 6b, 7a Apr 10 - Apr 25 Oct 10 - Oct 25
East Texas 8a, 8b Mar 1 - Mar 20 Nov 10 - Nov 25

Nasturtiums Planting Schedule for Texas

North Texas (Dallas) (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 10 - Mar 25 · Average first frost: Nov 5 - Nov 20

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Central Texas (Austin/SA) (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Feb 25 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 15 - Dec 5

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

South Texas (Valley) (Zones 9a, 9b, 10a)

Average last frost: Jan 15 - Feb 10 · Average first frost: Dec 10 - Jan 5

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Texas Panhandle (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 10 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

East Texas (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 20 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Growing Nasturtiums in Texas

State-Specific Growing Tips

Sow from September (north Texas) through November. Nasturtiums bloom through Texas's mild winter. They decline when heat returns in spring. Poor soil preferred. The flowers and leaves are edible — peppery flavor.

Recommended Varieties for Texas

Jewel Mix, Alaska, Empress of India. All varieties handle Texas's cool season.

Common Challenges in Texas

Summer heat kills the plants. Aphids (beneficial as trap crop). The crop is strictly cool-season in Texas.

Growing Tips

Both flowers and young leaves are edible with a peppery taste. Thrives in poor soil — too much nitrogen means all leaves, no flowers.

Companion Planting

Plant nasturtiums alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Cucumbers Squash Beans

The Bottom Line

Nasturtiums can be grown successfully in Texas with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Texas (Dallas) gardeners work with a last frost around Mar 10 - Mar 25, while East Texas sees frost end around Mar 1 - Mar 20. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Nasturtiums Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Texas Planting Calendar All plants for Texas Nasturtiums in Alabama Alabama planting dates Nasturtiums in Alaska Alaska planting dates Nasturtiums in Arizona Arizona planting dates Nasturtiums in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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