When to plant sunflowers in Iowa

Sow outdoors in Des Moines

Apr 18–May 9

Across Iowa the window opens between April 15 and April 29. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

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

Des MoinesApr 18–May 9

Cedar RapidsApr 27–May 18

DavenportApr 19–May 10

Sioux CityApr 29–May 20

AnkenyApr 23–May 14

Iowa CityApr 21–May 12

AmesApr 26–May 17

WaterlooApr 27–May 18

DubuqueApr 19–May 10

UrbandaleApr 19–May 10

MarionApr 28–May 19

Cedar FallsApr 27–May 18

BettendorfApr 16–May 7

WaukeeApr 18–May 9

MarshalltownApr 28–May 19

Mason CityApr 29–May 20

OttumwaApr 23–May 14

JohnstonApr 19–May 10

Fort DodgeApr 28–May 19

ClintonApr 22–May 13

CoralvilleApr 21–May 12

BurlingtonApr 15–May 6

MuscatineApr 24–May 15

AltoonaApr 23–May 14

North LibertyApr 21–May 12

When should I plant sunflowers in Iowa?

In Des Moines, sow outdoors from April 18 to May 9. Across Iowa the window opens between April 15 and April 29, 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.