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When to plant zinnias in zone 8b

In zone 8b, where the last spring frost typically comes around March 17, start zinnias indoors April 10 to 17 and plant out May 8 to 22.

The zone 8b schedule for zinnias

Start seeds indoors
April 10 to 17
Plant out
May 8 to 22
Sow outdoors
May 8 to 22
Soil warm enough (70°F), about
May 8

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 2,613 ZIP codes in zone 8b, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for zinnias.

Frost risk in zone 8b

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 8b, the typical last frost ranges from about March 5 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to April 3 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from November 2 to November 24. For a typical place in the zone:

  • February 25Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • March 17Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • April 6Safe: 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.

Enter your ZIP code

Zinnias in zone 8b cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
San Antonio, TXFeb 26Mar 22 to 29Apr 19 to May 3
Dallas, TXMar 2Apr 1 to 8Apr 29 to May 13
Fort Worth, TXMar 11Apr 9 to 16May 7 to 21
El Paso, TXMar 2Apr 2 to 9Apr 30 to May 14
Las Vegas, NVJan 20Mar 28 to Apr 4Apr 25 to May 9
Virginia Beach, VAMar 29May 4 to 11Jun 1 to 15
Arlington, TXMar 9Apr 6 to 13May 4 to 18
Plano, TXMar 7Apr 9 to 16May 7 to 21
Irving, TXMar 2Apr 1 to 8Apr 29 to May 13
Garland, TXMar 7Apr 9 to 16May 7 to 21
Frisco, TXMar 18Apr 11 to 18May 9 to 23
McKinney, TXMar 18Apr 11 to 18May 9 to 23

How to grow zinniasAll zonesZinnias in zone 8aZinnias in zone 9aAbout zone 8b

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