When to plant sunflowers in California

Sunflowers
Sow outdoors in San Jose
Feb 15–Mar 8

Across California the window opens between February 15 and December 31. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, San Jose
Feb 15–Mar 8
Last sowing for a harvest
Sep 2
Last frost, San Jose
Jan 2

Sow outdoors up to 3 weeks after the last frost. Sow every two weeks until midsummer for flowers through fall.

Sunflowers planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
San JoseFeb 15–Mar 8
FresnoFeb 15–Mar 8
SacramentoFeb 15–Mar 8
BakersfieldFeb 15–Mar 8
StocktonFeb 15–Mar 8
RiversideFeb 15–Mar 8
IrvineFeb 15–Mar 8
FremontFeb 15–Mar 8
San BernardinoFeb 15–Mar 8
FontanaFeb 15–Mar 8
ModestoFeb 15–Mar 8
Moreno ValleyFeb 15–Mar 8
GlendaleFeb 15–Mar 8
OntarioFeb 15–Mar 8
Elk GroveFeb 15–Mar 8
Santa RosaFeb 25–Mar 18
Rancho CucamongaFeb 15–Mar 8
OceansideFeb 15–Mar 8
LancasterApr 3–Apr 24
RosevilleFeb 22–Mar 15
PalmdaleMar 10–Mar 31
CoronaFeb 15–Mar 8
SalinasFeb 15–Mar 8
HaywardFeb 15–Mar 8
SunnyvaleFeb 15–Mar 8
PomonaFeb 15–Mar 8
VisaliaFeb 15–Mar 8
EscondidoFeb 15–Mar 8
VictorvilleMar 18–Apr 8
PasadenaFeb 15–Mar 8
All 274 cities
CitySow outdoorsLast frost
San JoseFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
FresnoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 14
SacramentoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
BakersfieldFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
StocktonFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 5
RiversideFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 9
IrvineFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 5
FremontFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 1
San BernardinoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 27
FontanaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
ModestoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
Moreno ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 27
GlendaleFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
OntarioFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
Elk GroveFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 2
Santa RosaFeb 25 to Mar 18Feb 25
Rancho CucamongaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
OceansideFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 23
LancasterApr 3 to Apr 24Apr 3
RosevilleFeb 22 to Mar 15Feb 22
PalmdaleMar 10 to Mar 31Mar 10
CoronaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
SalinasFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 29
HaywardFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
SunnyvaleFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
PomonaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
VisaliaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 23
EscondidoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
VictorvilleMar 18 to Apr 8Mar 18
PasadenaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
Santa ClaraFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
ClovisFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 14
Simi ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 24
VallejoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
ConcordFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 9
FairfieldFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 15
Thousand OaksDec 31 to Jan 21Dec 31
BerkeleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 3
AntiochFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
MenifeeFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 28
TemeculaFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 2
RichmondFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
MurrietaFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 2
Santa MariaFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 4
Jurupa ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 9
RialtoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 10
West CovinaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
ChicoMar 4 to Mar 25Mar 4
El MonteFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
VacavilleFeb 18 to Mar 11Feb 18
San MateoDec 29 to Jan 19Dec 29
BurbankFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
HesperiaFeb 28 to Mar 21Feb 28
TracyFeb 25 to Mar 18Feb 25
El CajonFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
Daly CityDec 30 to Jan 20Dec 30
MercedMar 3 to Mar 24Mar 3
VistaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 30
ChinoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
MantecaFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 6
Arden-ArcadeFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
San MarcosFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
IndioDec 31 to Jan 21Dec 31
ReddingMar 3 to Mar 24Mar 3
HemetFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
FolsomFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
CarsonFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 9
Mission ViejoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
Rancho CordovaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
Santa BarbaraFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 13
Citrus HeightsFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
San RamonMar 8 to Mar 29Mar 8
Mountain ViewFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
San LeandroFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 7
LivermoreFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 15
PerrisFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 28
Redwood CityFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
AlhambraFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
UplandFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
MilpitasFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
CarmichaelFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
PittsburgFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
Chino HillsFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
AlamedaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 7
RocklinFeb 25 to Mar 18Feb 25
NapaFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 12
Apple ValleyMar 18 to Apr 8Mar 18
Lake ElsinoreFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 28
PleasantonFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 15
RedlandsFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 27
TulareFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 23
TurlockFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
DublinFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 15
EastvaleFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
Walnut CreekFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 7
Yuba CityFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 15
LodiFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 9
MaderaFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 12
Baldwin ParkFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
CamarilloDec 31 to Jan 21Dec 31
Palo AltoFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 1
BrentwoodFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
DavisFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 10
Castro ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
Union CityFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 7
South San FranciscoDec 29 to Jan 19Dec 29
Laguna NiguelFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
PortervilleFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 20
WoodlandFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 7
HanfordFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 7
San ClementeFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
Santa CruzFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 29
BeaumontFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
GilroyFeb 24 to Mar 17Feb 24
MontebelloFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
La MesaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
PetalumaFeb 28 to Mar 21Feb 28
San RafaelFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 11
Pico RiveraFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
CupertinoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
SanteeFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
HighlandFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 27
Monterey ParkFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
LincolnFeb 25 to Mar 18Feb 25
West SacramentoFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 2
San JacintoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
YucaipaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 27
ArcadiaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
ColtonFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 10
Palm DesertDec 31 to Jan 21Dec 31
Cathedral CityFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 9
DelanoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
NovatoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 11
Diamond BarFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
WatsonvilleFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 28
San Luis ObispoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
El Dorado HillsMar 31 to Apr 21Mar 31
Aliso ViejoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
GlendoraFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
Los BanosFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 26
FlorinFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
RosemeadFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
CovinaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
PowayFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 5
AntelopeFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
CeresFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
North HighlandsFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
NewarkFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 1
OakleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
AzusaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
HollisterFeb 19 to Mar 12Feb 19
Morgan HillFeb 24 to Mar 17Feb 24
CoachellaDec 31 to Jan 21Dec 31
Palm SpringsFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 1
Rohnert ParkFeb 25 to Mar 18Feb 25
El CentroFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 3
LompocFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 20
DanvilleMar 8 to Mar 29Mar 8
LathropFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 6
VineyardFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
French ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 2
CampbellFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 2
San BrunoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 11
AltadenaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
Rancho Palos VerdesFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 9
La QuintaDec 31 to Jan 21Dec 31
AdelantoMar 18 to Apr 8Mar 18
CalexicoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 3
MonroviaApr 28 to May 19Apr 28
San GabrielFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
WildomarFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 28
MontclairFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
Foothill FarmsFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
PacificaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 11
MartinezFeb 28 to Mar 21Feb 28
La PuenteFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
ClaremontFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
OrangevaleFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
Temple CityFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
San Juan CapistranoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
MoorparkDec 31 to Jan 21Dec 31
OildaleFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
Pleasant HillFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 7
Desert Hot SpringsFeb 25 to Mar 18Feb 25
San DimasFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
Menlo ParkFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 1
Los GatosFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 2
FallbrookFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 2
Foster CityFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
GoletaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 11
Dana PointFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
Spring ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
AtwaterMar 3 to Mar 24Mar 3
Fair OaksFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
BurlingameDec 29 to Jan 19Dec 29
BanningFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
Santa PaulaDec 31 to Jan 21Dec 31
San PabloFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
SeasideFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
El Paso de RoblesMar 15 to Apr 5Mar 15
OrcuttFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 4
Los AltosFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
SaratogaFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 2
La VerneFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
Laguna HillsFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
AtascaderoMar 15 to Apr 5Mar 15
Suisun CityFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 15
San LorenzoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
Eastern Goleta ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 11
San CarlosFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
MontereyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 1
East Palo AltoFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 1
BelmontFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
East NilesFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
Temescal ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 28
RidgecrestMar 11 to Apr 1Mar 11
BrawleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 16
WalnutFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
LemooreFeb 24 to Mar 17Feb 24
SangerFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 30
ReedleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 30
GaltFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 9
PattersonFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
RiverbankFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
WascoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
BeniciaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
SoledadApr 23 to May 14Apr 23
HerculesFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
El CerritoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 3
DinubaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 23
Twentynine PalmsFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 24
WindsorMar 2 to Mar 23Mar 2
South PasadenaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
West Whittier-Los NietosFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
Mountain HouseFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 19
LafayetteFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 7
EurekaFeb 22 to Mar 15Feb 22
Loma LindaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 27
NorcoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 17
BarstowFeb 22 to Mar 15Feb 22
SelmaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 30
BloomingtonFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 10
Bay PointFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 9
ShafterFeb 20 to Mar 13Feb 20
Ladera RanchFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
East San GabrielFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
San FernandoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
RosemontFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 12
MarinaFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 4
OakdaleFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 31
LindaFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 11
MillbraeDec 29 to Jan 19Dec 29
DuarteApr 28 to May 19Apr 28
RamonaMar 19 to Apr 9Mar 19
AshlandFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 2
American CanyonMar 5 to Mar 26Mar 5
Laguna BeachFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
CorcoranFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 15
ImperialFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 14
Rancho San DiegoFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
West Puente ValleyFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 4
CalabasasFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 24
Winter GardensFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
West CarsonFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 9
Yucca ValleyMar 14 to Apr 4Mar 14
LakesideFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 6
ValindaFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
Granite BayFeb 25 to Mar 18Feb 25
Stevenson RanchFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 8
GreenfieldFeb 23 to Mar 16Feb 23
DixonFeb 15 to Mar 8Feb 10
RosamondApr 3 to Apr 24Apr 3
OrovilleFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 30
East HemetFeb 15 to Mar 8Jan 10

Questions

When should I plant sunflowers in California?

In San Jose, sow outdoors from February 15 to March 8. Across California the window opens between February 15 and December 31, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors up to 3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for California

Sunflowers in other states

Frost dates for every city in California