Annual Flower

When to Plant Sunflowers in Oklahoma

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

The Short Answer

In Oklahoma, plant sunflowers based on your regional frost dates. Northern Oklahoma has a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 20, while Southern Oklahoma sees frost end around Mar 15 - Apr 1. Hot summers. Severe thunderstorms and tornado risk. Good growing season length. Windy — windbreaks help gardens.

Oklahoma Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Oklahoma 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 15 - Nov 1
Central Oklahoma 7a, 7b Mar 25 - Apr 10 Oct 25 - Nov 10
Southern Oklahoma 7b Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15

Sunflowers Planting Schedule for Oklahoma

Northern Oklahoma (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 1

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

Central Oklahoma (Zones 7a, 7b)

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

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

Southern Oklahoma (Zones 7b)

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

Growing Sunflowers in Oklahoma

Sunflowers in Oklahoma's Climate

Sunflowers love your heat and long days. Plant earlier than northern growers — from mid-March in many warm-zone areas. The intense sun produces vibrant colors and sturdy stalks. Multiple succession plantings can provide sunflower blooms from May through November.

Soil Considerations for Oklahoma

Red clay soils common. Alkaline in west. Rich prairie soils in east. Wind erosion in western panhandle. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 55°F before planting sunflowers outside.

Oklahoma Climate & Growing Season

Hot summers. Severe thunderstorms and tornado risk. Good growing season length. Windy — windbreaks help gardens. Sunflowers cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across Oklahoma: Northern Oklahoma (6b, 7a) has a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 20, while Southern Oklahoma (7b) sees frost end around Mar 15 - Apr 1. This difference matters for sunflowers — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

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 across Oklahoma, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Oklahoma gardeners should plan around a Apr 5 - Apr 20 last frost, while those in Southern Oklahoma can typically plant earlier. 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 Oklahoma Planting Calendar All plants for Oklahoma 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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