When to Plant Bachelor Button in Santa Monica, California (90404)

Location

Santa Monica, California

ZIP Code

90404

USDA Zone

11a

Last Frost

Thursday, January 1, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Based on last frost Thursday, January 1, 2026 · Zone 11a

Pro tip: Sow Bachelor Button directly outdoors 2 weeks before your last frost date.

Add to Calendar (.ics)

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Centaurea cyanus

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 12-30"

Spread 9"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Low to Moderate

↔️

Spacing

9" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Bachelor Button in Santa Monica?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Thursday, December 18, 2025.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🤝 Good Companions

TomatoBeanVegetable Garden

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Bachelor Button

See which plants help Bachelor Button thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌍 Flower Garden Soil ✂️ Pruning Shears 🚿 Watering Can

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Allow flower heads to dry completely on the plant. Harvest when fluffy seed heads are fully dry.

Processing

Pull seeds from dried flower heads — seeds have a small feathery tail. Dry 1 week in open envelope.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Bachelor buttons cross freely — expect some color variation when growing multiple colors and saving seed.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 56 plants of Bachelor Button. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bachelor Button in Santa Monica, California? +

In Santa Monica (Zone 11a), direct sow Bachelor Button outdoors around Thursday, December 18, 2025.

What is the last frost date for Santa Monica, California? +

The average last spring frost date for Santa Monica, California (ZIP 90404) is around Thursday, January 1, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 11a.

How long does Bachelor Button take to grow? +

Bachelor Button typically matures in about 60 days from direct sowing. In Santa Monica, that means you can expect harvest around Thursday, December 18, 2025 plus 60 days.

Should I start Bachelor Button indoors or direct sow in California? +

Bachelor Button does best when direct sown outdoors. In Santa Monica, sow directly around Thursday, December 18, 2025.

📚 More Bachelor Button Planting Guides

🗺️

Bachelor Button in California

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 11a Bachelor Button Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Santa Monica

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 Sunflower 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 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 Bachelor Button in Zone 11a

Bachelor Button (Centaurea cyanus) is a popular garden vegetable. In Santa Monica, California, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 11a, you should direct sow seeds around Thursday, December 18, 2025.

Your average last frost date is Thursday, January 1, 2026. Bachelor Button grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.