Nature is beautiful and every plant has its own planting and growing season. To be the winner in gardening, it's essential to determine the optimal time for planting each specific plant. In this article, I am sharing the complete Florida planting calendar for vegetables, flowers, and herbs.
Florida is considered to be a warmer state. Florida USDA ranges from Zone 8 to Zone 11. The climate is not the same in all the regions of Florida, so I decided to separate the planting calendar into three major parts. ( To make my Florida planting guide more accurate )
- Planting Schedule for North Florida
- Planting Schedule for Central Florida
- Planting Schedule for South Florida
It does not matter if you're growing vegetables, flowers, or herbs. I have made this Florida planting guide so that you will find everything on a single page.
To simplify things for different types of plant growers, I've divided this calendar into several sections:
- Leafy Greens
- Vegetables and roots
- Flowering Plants
- Herbs
Note: If the table does not fit on the mobile screen you can easily drag or scroll sidewise to see the full table.
In January you should check: January Planting Chart for Florida
One request from my end: A lot of gardeners are experts in gardening and they do really well. But gardening is not just only about harvesting the best. We love nature and that makes us a perfect gardener. To help support the ecosystem, try planting at least two to four native plants or shrubs in your garden. If you are not sure what to plant check my article on: Easy to Grow Florida Native Plants
and Best fruit trees to grow in Florida
Planting Schedule for North Florida
North Florida is comparatively colder in winter than other regions in Florida. In this section considering all the climate factors I am giving you the planting calendar for leafy greens, vegetable roots, flowering plants, and herbs.
Leafy Greens Planting Calendar for North Florida
| Leafy Green | Best Planting Dates | Planting Method | Harvesting Time (Days) | Variety Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | October 1 - March 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 45-70 days | Buttercrunch, Red Sails, Winter Density |
| Spinach | October 1 - February 28 | Direct Sow | 40-50 days | Bloomsdale Long Standing, Space |
| Kale | October 1 - March 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-70 days | Winterbor, Lacinato (Dinosaur Kale) |
| Collards | September 15 - November 30, January 15 - February 28 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 60-80 days | Georgia Southern, Champion |
| Swiss Chard | September 15 - November 30, January 15 - March 31 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-60 days | Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant |
| Mustard Greens | October 1 - February 28 | Direct Sow | 30-45 days | Southern Giant Curled, Green Wave |
| Bok Choy | October 1 - March 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 45-60 days | Joi Choi, Mei Qing Choi |
| Arugula | October 1 - February 28 | Direct Sow | 30-45 days | Astro, Rocket |
| Endive | October 1 - February 28 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-60 days | Frisée, Broadleaf Batavian |
| Watercress | October 1 - March 31 | Direct Sow in Moist Soil | 40-60 days | Upland Cress (for easier soil growing) |
| Radicchio | October 1 - February 28 | Transplant | 80-90 days | Chioggia, Treviso |
Vegetable and Roots Planting Calendar for North Florida
| Vegetable/Root | Best Planting Dates | Planting Method | Harvesting Time (Days) | Variety Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | February 15 - April 15, July 10 - August 10 | Transplant | 70-90 days | ‘Better Boy’, ‘Celebrity’, ‘Amelia’ |
| Peppers | February 15 - April 15 | Transplant | 70-90 days | ‘California Wonder’, ‘Big Bertha’, ‘Cajun Belle’ |
| Eggplant | February 15 - April 15 | Transplant | 75-85 days | ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Ichiban’, ‘Florida Market’ |
| Carrots | February 1 - March 15, August 15 - September 15 | Direct Sow | 70-80 days | ‘Nantes’, ‘Danvers 126’, ‘Scarlet Nantes’ |
| Beets | February 1 - March 15, August 15 - September 15 | Direct Sow | 50-70 days | ‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Chioggia’, ‘Red Ace’ |
| Radishes | February 1 - April 15, August 15 - September 30 | Direct Sow | 25-30 days | ‘Cherry Belle’, ‘Easter Egg’, ‘French Breakfast’ |
| Onions | January 1 - March 15 | Transplant or Direct Sow | 90-120 days | ‘Granex’ (Vidalia type), ‘Texas Sweet’, ‘White Bermuda’ |
| Potatoes | February 15 - March 15 | Seed Pieces | 90-120 days | ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Red Pontiac’, ‘La Soda’ |
| Squash | March 1 - May 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-60 days | ‘Early Prolific Straightneck’, ‘Black Beauty Zucchini’ |
| Cucumbers | March 1 - May 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-70 days | ‘Marketmore 76’, ‘Straight Eight’, ‘Boston Pickling’ |
| Green Beans | April 1 - June 15 | Direct Sow | 50-60 days | ‘Provider’, ‘Blue Lake 274’, ‘Contender’ |
| Sweet Potatoes | April 15 - June 15 | Slips | 90-120 days | ‘Beauregard’, ‘Georgia Jet’, ‘Covington’ |
Flowering Plants for North Florida
| Flowering Plant | Best Planting Dates | Perennial/Annual | Blooming Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black-eyed Susan | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Coreopsis | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Spring to Summer |
| Daylily | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer |
| Marigold | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Summer to Fall |
| Petunia | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Bee Balm | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer |
| Lantana | April 1 - June 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Cosmos | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Summer to Fall |
| Salvia | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer |
| Snapdragon | October 1 - December 15 | Annual | Winter to Spring |
| Azalea | October 1 - December 15 | Perennial | Spring |
| Coneflower (Echinacea) | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Geranium | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Petunia | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Butterfly Bush | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Fuchsia | April 1 - June 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Morning Glory | April 1 - June 15 | Annual | Summer |
| Petunia | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Spring to Fall |
Azalea is native to Florida.
Planting Calendar for Herbs - North Florida
| Herb | Best Planting Dates | Perennial/Annual | Growing Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | April 1 - June 15 | Annual | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Oregano | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Thyme | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Mint | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Partial shade, moist soil |
| Rosemary | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Sage | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Cilantro | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Dill | April 1 - June 15 | Annual | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Chives | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil |
| Parsley | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil |
I have not added lavender to the list. You can consider lavender as both an herb plant and a flowering plant. If you wish to grow it in Zone 9 check: How to Grow Lavender in Zone 9
Planting Calendar for Central Florida
As Central Florida is warmer than North Florida, the planting dates may be changed slightly. I don't want to make the list too long so I hand-picked the best ones you can grow in Central Florida.
Leafy Greens Planting Calendar for Central Florida
| Leafy Green | Best Planting Dates | Planting Method | Harvesting Time (Days) | Variety Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | September 1 - March 31 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 45-70 days | Buttercrunch, Romaine ('Parris Island Cos') |
| Spinach | September 1 - April 30 | Direct Sow | 40-50 days | Bloomsdale Long Standing |
| Kale | September 1 - April 30 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-70 days | Dwarf Blue Curled Vates, Lacinato (Dinosaur Kale) |
| Collards | August 15 - March 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 60-80 days | Georgia Southern, Vates |
| Swiss Chard | August 15 - April 30 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-60 days | Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant |
| Mustard Greens | September 1 - April 30 | Direct Sow | 30-45 days | Southern Giant Curled, Florida Broadleaf |
| Bok Choy | September 1 - March 31 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 45-60 days | Joi Choi, Mei Qing Choi |
| Arugula | September 1 - April 30 | Direct Sow | 30-45 days | Astro, Rocket |
| Endive | September 1 - April 30 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-60 days | Broadleaf Batavian, Full Heart Batavian |
| Watercress | September 1 - March 31 | Direct Sow in Moist Soil | 40-60 days | Aquatic, Upland Cress |
| Radicchio | September 1 - April 30 | Transplant | 80-90 days | Chioggia, Treviso |
Vegetable and Roots Planting Schedule for Central Florida
| Vegetable/Root | Best Planting Dates | Planting Method | Harvesting Time (Days) | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | February 15 - April 15, August (Whole) | Transplant | 70-90 days | ‘Solar Fire’, ‘Florida 91’, ‘Better Boy’ |
| Peppers | February 15 - April 15 | Transplant | 70-90 days | ‘California Wonder’, ‘Big Bertha’, ‘Banana Supreme’ |
| Eggplant | February 15 - April 15 | Transplant | 75-85 days | ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Florida Market’, ‘Ichiban’ |
| Carrots | February 1 - March 15, August 1 - September 15 | Direct Sow | 70-80 days | ‘Nantes’, ‘Chantenay Red Core’, ‘Sugarsnax 54’ |
| Beets | February 1 - March 15, August 1 - September 15 | Direct Sow | 50-70 days | ‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Chioggia’, ‘Ruby Queen’ |
| Radishes | February 1 - April 15, August 1 - September 30 | Direct Sow | 25-30 days | ‘Cherry Belle’, ‘Sparkler’, ‘Easter Egg’ |
| Onions | January 1 - March 15 | Transplant or Direct Sow | 90-120 days | ‘Texas Sweet’, ‘Granex (Vidalia Type)’, ‘White Bermuda’ |
| Potatoes | February 15 - March 15 | Seed Pieces | 90-120 days | ‘Red Pontiac’, ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘La Soda’ |
| Squash | March 1 - May 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-60 days | ‘Straightneck Yellow’, ‘Zucchini Elite’, ‘Crookneck’ |
| Cucumbers | March 1 - May 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-70 days | ‘Poinsett 76’, ‘Marketmore 76’, ‘Sweet Success’ |
| Green Beans | April 1 - June 15 | Direct Sow | 50-60 days | ‘Provider’, ‘Blue Lake 274’, ‘Contender’ |
| Sweet Potatoes | April 15 - June 15 | Slips | 90-120 days | ‘Beauregard’, ‘Covington’, ‘Georgia Jet’ |
Flowering Plants for Central Florida
| Flowering Plant | Best Planting Dates | Perennial/Annual | Blooming Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black-eyed Susan | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Coreopsis | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Spring to Summer |
| Daylily | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer |
| Marigold | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Summer to Fall |
| Petunia | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Bee Balm | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer |
| Lantana | April 1 - June 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Cosmos | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Summer to Fall |
| Salvia | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer |
| Snapdragon | October 1 - December 15 | Annual | Winter to Spring |
| Azalea | October 1 - December 15 | Perennial | Spring |
| Coneflower (Echinacea) | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Geranium | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Butterfly Bush | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Fuchsia | April 1 - June 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Morning Glory | April 1 - June 15 | Annual | Summer |
| Verbena | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Spring to Fall |
| Strawflower | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Aster | October 1 - December 15 | Perennial | Fall |
| Daisy | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Spring to Summer |
| Impatiens | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Pansy | October 1 - December 15 | Annual | Winter to Spring |
| Hibiscus | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Rudbeckia | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Plumeria | April 1 - June 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
If you are going to grow Plumeria or already have one, then you can check this guide: Plumeria Growing and Caring Guide for Florida
Not sure what to choose between Vinca and SunPatiens? check: vinca vs SunPatiens
Planting Calendar for Herbs - Central Florida
| Herb | Best Planting Dates | Perennial/Annual | Growing Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | March 15 - June 15 | Annual | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Oregano | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Thyme | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Mint | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Partial shade, moist soil |
| Rosemary | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Sage | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Cilantro | March 15 - June 1 | Annual | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Dill | March 15 - June 15 | Annual | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Chives | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil |
| Parsley | March 15 - April 30 | Annual | Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil |
I have written an article on how to grow rosemary in Florida
Planting Calendar for South Florida
This is the warmest region of Florida, thus you can grow a lot of vegetables, flowers, and herbs here that are difficult to grow in colder areas. Let's check the planting calendar for South Florida.
There is another article, especially for South Florida, check: South Florida Planting Calendar
Leafy Greens Planting Calendar for South Florida
| Leafy Green | Best Planting Dates | Planting Method | Harvesting Time (Days) | Variety Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | September 1 - April 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 45-70 days | Butterhead, Romaine ('Parris Island Cos') |
| Spinach | September 1 - March 31 | Direct Sow | 40-50 days | 'Bloomsdale', 'Space' |
| Kale | September 1 - March 31 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-70 days | 'Lacinato' (Dinosaur Kale), 'Winterbor' |
| Collards | August 1 - March 1 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 60-80 days | 'Georgia Southern', 'Champion' |
| Swiss Chard | August 1 - April 30 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-60 days | 'Bright Lights', 'Fordhook Giant' |
| Mustard Greens | September 1 - March 31 | Direct Sow | 30-45 days | 'Southern Giant Curled', 'Red Giant' |
| Bok Choy | September 1 - April 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 45-60 days | 'Joi Choi', 'Mei Qing Choi' |
| Arugula | September 1 - March 31 | Direct Sow | 30-45 days | 'Astro', 'Rocket' |
| Endive | September 1 - March 31 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-60 days | 'Frisée', 'Broadleaf Batavian' |
| Watercress | September 1 - March 31 | Direct Sow in Moist Soil | 40-60 days | 'Aqua Large Leaf' |
| Radicchio | September 1 - March 31 | Transplant | 80-90 days | 'Chioggia', 'Palla Rossa' |
Vegetable and Roots Planting Calendar for South Florida
| Vegetable/Root | Best Planting Dates | Planting Method | Harvesting Time (Days) | Variety Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | February 15 - April 15, August 1 - October 1 | Transplant | 70-90 days | 'Heatmaster', 'Solar Fire', 'Floradade' |
| Peppers | February 15 - April 15, August 1 - October 1 | Transplant | 70-90 days | 'California Wonder', 'Big Bertha', 'Jupiter' |
| Eggplant | February 15 - April 15, August 1 - October 1 | Transplant | 75-85 days | 'Black Beauty', 'Florida Market', 'Dusky' |
| Carrots | September 1 - March 15 | Direct Sow | 70-80 days | 'Nantes', 'Chantenay', 'Imperator 58' |
| Beets | September 1 - March 15 | Direct Sow | 50-70 days | 'Detroit Dark Red', 'Red Ace', 'Cylindra' |
| Radishes | September 1 - April 15 | Direct Sow | 25-30 days | 'Cherry Belle', 'Easter Egg', 'French Breakfast' |
| Onions | January 1 - March 15 | Transplant or Direct Sow | 90-120 days | 'Granex (Vidalia Type)', 'Texas Grano 1015Y' |
| Potatoes | February 15 - March 15 | Seed Pieces | 90-120 days | 'Red Pontiac', 'Yukon Gold', 'LaChipper' |
| Squash | March 1 - May 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-60 days | 'Summer Crookneck', 'Zucchini Elite', 'Pattypan' |
| Cucumbers | March 1 - May 15, August 1 - October 15 | Direct Sow or Transplant | 50-70 days | 'Poinsett 76', 'Straight Eight', 'Marketmore 76' |
| Green Beans | March 1 - June 15 | Direct Sow | 50-60 days | 'Provider', 'Contender', 'Blue Lake Bush' |
| Sweet Potatoes | April 15 - June 15 | Slips | 90-120 days | 'Beauregard', 'Georgia Jet', 'Centennial' |
Flowering Plants for South Florida
| Flowering Plant | Best Planting Dates | Perennial/Annual | Blooming Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hibiscus | Year-round (Best: March - June) | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Plumeria | April 1 - June 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Lantana | Year-round (Best: March - June) | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Bougainvillea | April 1 - June 15 | Perennial | Spring to Fall |
| Geranium | Year-round (Best: March - June) | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Petunia | Year-round (Best: March - June) | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Marigold | Year-round (Best: March - June) | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Salvia | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer |
| Coreopsis | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Spring to Summer |
| Daylily | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer |
| Morning Glory | April 1 - June 15 | Annual | Summer |
| Butterfly Bush | March 15 - May 15 | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Gerbera Daisy | March 15 - June 15 | Annual | Spring to Fall |
| Fuchsia | Year-round (Best: April - June) | Perennial | Summer to Fall |
| Snapdragon | October 1 - December 15 | Annual | Winter to Spring |
Planting Calendar for Herbs - South Florida
| Herb | Best Planting Dates | Perennial/Annual | Growing Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Year-round (Best: April - June) | Annual | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Oregano | Year-round (Best: April - June) | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Thyme | Year-round (Best: April - June) | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Mint | Year-round (Best: March - June) | Perennial | Partial shade, moist soil |
| Rosemary | Year-round (Best: April - June) | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Sage | Year-round (Best: April - June) | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Cilantro | Year-round (Best: March - June) | Annual | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Dill | Year-round (Best: April - June) | Annual | Full sun, well-drained soil |
| Chives | Year-round (Best: March - June) | Perennial | Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil |
| Parsley | Year-round (Best: March - June) | Annual | Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil |
Due to the Hurricanes, we Florida gardeners suffer a lot. If your garden is near coastal areas, flooded saltwater can damage your plants. Even without saltwater, heavy storms and windburn can still impact them. So I made guides in those two situations. You can read those from here:
- Post Hurricane Wind Burn - What to do
- How to Save Plants Flooded by Saltwater: Tips for Recovery After Storm Surges
- How to Protect Your Plants from Hurricanes
If you consider this article helpful, it is worth sharing with other Florida gardeners.
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