Annual Flower

When to Plant Sunflowers in Georgia

Few things bring more joy than a row of sunflowers turning their faces to the sun. Easy, dramatic, and pollinator-friendly.

The Short Answer

Sunflowers are a natural fit for Georgia gardens — the crop's love of heat and sun aligns perfectly with the state's warm, bright summers. Georgia's native wildflower meadows include native sunflower species, and cultivated varieties thrive in the same conditions.

Georgia Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Georgia Mountains 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Central Georgia 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15
South Georgia 8a, 8b, 9a Feb 28 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Nov 25

Sunflowers Planting Schedule for Georgia

North Georgia Mountains (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · 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

Central Georgia (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

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

South Georgia (Zones 8a, 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 28 - Mar 15 · 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 Sunflowers in Georgia

State-Specific Growing Tips

Direct sow from mid-April (south Georgia) through May. Succession plant for continuous blooms through summer. Georgia's red clay grows sunflowers well — the crop is remarkably soil-tolerant. Full sun, moderate water. Stake tall varieties against Georgia's summer thunderstorms.

Recommended Varieties for Georgia

Mammoth, ProCut, Autumn Beauty. Any variety handles Georgia's heat and humidity.

Common Challenges in Georgia

Birds and squirrels eat seeds. Powdery mildew in humid conditions. Caterpillar damage to developing flower heads. Deer browse young plants.

Growing Tips

Direct sow is preferred — sunflowers don't love transplanting. Succession plant every 2 weeks for blooms all summer.

Companion Planting

Plant sunflowers alongside these companions for better growth:

Cucumbers Squash Corn

Keep sunflowers away from:

Potatoes

The Bottom Line

Sunflowers can be grown successfully in Georgia with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Georgia Mountains gardeners work with a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 20, while South Georgia sees frost end around Feb 28 - Mar 15. 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

Sunflowers Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Georgia Planting Calendar All plants for Georgia Sunflowers in Alabama Alabama planting dates Sunflowers in Alaska Alaska planting dates Sunflowers in Arizona Arizona planting dates Sunflowers 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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