Annual Flower

When to Plant Sunflowers in South Carolina

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 South Carolina, plant sunflowers based on your regional frost dates. Upstate has a last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 10, while Coastal sees frost end around Feb 25 - Mar 15. Long, hot growing season. Subtropical on coast. Two main planting seasons. Summer heat can stress cool-season crops.

South Carolina Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Upstate 7a, 7b Mar 25 - Apr 10 Oct 20 - Nov 5
Midlands 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15
Coastal 8a, 8b, 9a Feb 25 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Dec 1

Sunflowers Planting Schedule for South Carolina

Upstate (Zones 7a, 7b)

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

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

Midlands (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

Coastal (Zones 8a, 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 25 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Dec 1

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

Growing Sunflowers in South Carolina

Sunflowers in South Carolina'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 South Carolina

Red clay in Piedmont. Sandy soils on coast. Acidic throughout. Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 55°F before planting sunflowers outside.

South Carolina Climate & Growing Season

Long, hot growing season. Subtropical on coast. Two main planting seasons. Summer heat can stress cool-season crops. 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 South Carolina: Upstate (7a, 7b) has a last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 10, while Coastal (8a, 8b, 9a) sees frost end around Feb 25 - Mar 15. 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 South Carolina, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Upstate gardeners should plan around a Mar 25 - Apr 10 last frost, while those in Coastal 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 South Carolina Planting Calendar All plants for South Carolina 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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