When to plant zinnias in zone 8a
In zone 8a, where the last spring frost typically comes around March 29, start zinnias indoors April 21 to 28 and plant out May 19 to June 2.
The zone 8a schedule for zinnias
- Start seeds indoors
- April 21 to 28
- Plant out
- May 19 to June 2
- Sow outdoors
- May 19 to June 2
- Soil warm enough (70°F), about
- May 19
From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 2,584 ZIP codes in zone 8a, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for zinnias.
Frost risk in zone 8a
Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 8a, the typical last frost ranges from about March 18 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to April 7 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from October 31 to November 16. For a typical place in the zone:
- March 9Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
- March 29Typical: frost after this date in half of years
- April 14Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10
Zinnias are killed by frost, so if you want to be safe, plant out after the safe date rather than the typical one, or be ready to cover plants on a cold night.
Your dates for zinnias
Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant zinnias where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.
Zinnias in zone 8a cities
| City | Typical last frost | Start indoors | Plant out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | Mar 30 | Apr 22 to 29 | May 20 to Jun 3 |
| Memphis, TN | Mar 16 | Apr 12 to 19 | May 10 to 24 |
| Baltimore, MD | Mar 24 | Apr 29 to May 6 | May 27 to Jun 10 |
| Atlanta, GA | Mar 15 | Apr 14 to 21 | May 12 to 26 |
| Raleigh, NC | Mar 28 | Apr 22 to 29 | May 20 to Jun 3 |
| Greensboro, NC | Mar 30 | Apr 28 to May 5 | May 26 to Jun 9 |
| Durham, NC | Mar 31 | Apr 23 to 30 | May 21 to Jun 4 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | Mar 30 | Apr 28 to May 5 | May 26 to Jun 9 |
| Chesapeake, VA | Mar 17 | Apr 26 to May 3 | May 24 to Jun 7 |
| Huntsville, AL | Mar 24 | Apr 13 to 20 | May 11 to 25 |
| Fayetteville, NC | Mar 30 | Apr 20 to 27 | May 18 to Jun 1 |
| Little Rock, AR | Mar 21 | Apr 19 to 26 | May 17 to 31 |
How to grow zinniasAll zonesZinnias in zone 7bZinnias in zone 8bAbout zone 8a
Sources
- How to Grow Zinnias: The Best Varieties & Care Tips · Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center
- Specialty Cut Flower Production Guidelines for Florida - Zinnia (ENH953, archival copy) · UF/IFAS Extension (EDIS)
- Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) for the Farmer Florist (Publication 3765) · Mississippi State University Extension
- Zinnia elegans (Plant Toolbox) · NC State Extension
- New and old fall zinnias named Texas Superstars · Texas A&M AgriLife Today
- Flowers to Plant in Florida: Text (month-by-month calendar for North, Central and South Florida) · UF/IFAS Extension Gardening Solutions
- Flower Planting Guide for the Low Desert (AZ1100) · University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
- Sowing Annual Seeds · Penn State Extension
- July 16, 2011 Timely Tips (Bexar County gardening calendar) · Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Bexar County