When to Plant Sunflower in Charlotte, North Carolina (28270)

Location

Charlotte, North Carolina

ZIP Code

28270

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Planting Calendar

Direct Sow Outdoors Friday, March 27, 2026

Pro Tip: Sow Sunflower directly outdoors 1 week after your last frost date — it needs warm soil.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Helianthus annuus

Days to Maturity 80 days

Mature Height 36-96"

Spread 24"

Type Annual

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Low-Moderate (1 inch/week)

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

1" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Sunflower in Charlotte?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, March 27, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

CornCucumberSquash

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

PotatoFennel

Other Plants for Charlotte

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Sunflower in Zone 8a

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a popular garden vegetable. In Charlotte, North Carolina, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should direct sow seeds around Friday, March 27, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Sunflower grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.