Florida Planting Calendar

Florida Planting Calendar

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 )

  1. Planting Schedule for North Florida
  2. Planting Schedule for Central Florida
  3. 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:

  1. Leafy Greens
  2. Vegetables and roots
  3. Flowering Plants
  4. Herbs
Note: If the table does not fit on the mobile screen you can easily drag or scroll sidewise to see the full table.

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

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)
Lettuce October 1 - March 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 45-70 days
Spinach October 1 - February 28 Direct Sow 40-50 days
Kale October 1 - March 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-70 days
Collards September 15 - November 30, January 15 - February 28 Direct Sow or Transplant 60-80 days
Swiss Chard September 15 - November 30, January 15 - March 31 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-60 days
Mustard Greens October 1 - February 28 Direct Sow 30-45 days
Bok Choy October 1 - March 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 45-60 days
Arugula October 1 - February 28 Direct Sow 30-45 days
Endive October 1 - February 28 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-60 days
Watercress October 1 - March 31 Direct Sow in Moist Soil 40-60 days
Radicchio October 1 - February 28 Transplant 80-90 days

Vegetable and Roots Planting Calendar for North Florida

Vegetable/Root Best Planting Dates Planting Method Harvesting Time (Days)
Tomatoes February 15 - April 15 Transplant 70-90 days
Peppers February 15 - April 15 Transplant 70-90 days
Eggplant February 15 - April 15 Transplant 75-85 days
Carrots February 1 - March 15, August 15 - September 15 Direct Sow 70-80 days
Beets February 1 - March 15, August 15 - September 15 Direct Sow 50-70 days
Radishes February 1 - April 15, August 15 - September 30 Direct Sow 25-30 days
Onions January 1 - March 15 Transplant or Direct Sow 90-120 days
Potatoes February 15 - March 15 Seed Pieces 90-120 days
Squash March 1 - May 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-60 days
Cucumbers March 1 - May 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-70 days
Green Beans April 1 - June 15 Direct Sow 50-60 days
Sweet Potatoes April 15 - June 15 Slips 90-120 days

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

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

Cuban oregano
Cuban oregano

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)
Lettuce September 1 - March 31 Direct Sow or Transplant 45-70 days
Spinach September 1 - April 30 Direct Sow 40-50 days
Kale September 1 - April 30 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-70 days
Collards August 15 - March 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 60-80 days
Swiss Chard August 15 - April 30 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-60 days
Mustard Greens September 1 - April 30 Direct Sow 30-45 days
Bok Choy September 1 - March 31 Direct Sow or Transplant 45-60 days
Arugula September 1 - April 30 Direct Sow 30-45 days
Endive September 1 - April 30 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-60 days
Watercress September 1 - March 31 Direct Sow in Moist Soil 40-60 days
Radicchio September 1 - April 30 Transplant 80-90 days

Vegetable and Roots Planting Schedule for Central Florida

Vegetable/Root Best Planting Dates Planting Method Harvesting Time (Days)
Tomatoes February 15 - April 15 Transplant 70-90 days
Peppers February 15 - April 15 Transplant 70-90 days
Eggplant February 15 - April 15 Transplant 75-85 days
Carrots February 1 - March 15, August 1 - September 15 Direct Sow 70-80 days
Beets February 1 - March 15, August 1 - September 15 Direct Sow 50-70 days
Radishes February 1 - April 15, August 1 - September 30 Direct Sow 25-30 days
Onions January 1 - March 15 Transplant or Direct Sow 90-120 days
Potatoes February 15 - March 15 Seed Pieces 90-120 days
Squash March 1 - May 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-60 days
Cucumbers March 1 - May 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-70 days
Green Beans April 1 - June 15 Direct Sow 50-60 days
Sweet Potatoes April 15 - June 15 Slips 90-120 days

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
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

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
Mint
Mint

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.

Leafy Greens Planting Calendar for South Florida

Leafy Green Best Planting Dates Planting Method Harvesting Time (Days)
Lettuce September 1 - April 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 45-70 days
Spinach September 1 - March 31 Direct Sow 40-50 days
Kale September 1 - March 31 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-70 days
Collards August 1 - March 1 Direct Sow or Transplant 60-80 days
Swiss Chard August 1 - April 30 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-60 days
Mustard Greens September 1 - March 31 Direct Sow 30-45 days
Bok Choy September 1 - April 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 45-60 days
Arugula September 1 - March 31 Direct Sow 30-45 days
Endive September 1 - March 31 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-60 days
Watercress September 1 - March 31 Direct Sow in Moist Soil 40-60 days
Radicchio September 1 - March 31 Transplant 80-90 days

Vegetable and Roots Planting Calendar for South Florida

Vegetable/Root Best Planting Dates Planting Method Harvesting Time (Days)
Tomatoes February 15 - April 15, August 1 - October 1 Transplant 70-90 days
Peppers February 15 - April 15, August 1 - October 1 Transplant 70-90 days
Eggplant February 15 - April 15, August 1 - October 1 Transplant 75-85 days
Carrots September 1 - March 15 Direct Sow 70-80 days
Beets September 1 - March 15 Direct Sow 50-70 days
Radishes September 1 - April 15 Direct Sow 25-30 days
Onions January 1 - March 15 Transplant or Direct Sow 90-120 days
Potatoes February 15 - March 15 Seed Pieces 90-120 days
Squash March 1 - May 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-60 days
Cucumbers March 1 - May 15, August 1 - October 15 Direct Sow or Transplant 50-70 days
Green Beans March 1 - June 15 Direct Sow 50-60 days
Sweet Potatoes April 15 - June 15 Slips 90-120 days

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:

  1. Post Hurricane Wind Burn - What to do
  2. How to Save Plants Flooded by Saltwater: Tips for Recovery After Storm Surges
  3. How to Protect Your Plants from Hurricanes

If you consider this article helpful, it is worth sharing with other Florida gardeners.

Subscribe to this site to motivate me to bring more content like this. (It's free)

Plants to attract butterflies in South Florida
Best Plants to Attract Butterflies in South Florida
Best trees to attract birds in South Florida
Best trees to attract birds in South Florida
South Florida Planting Calendar
South Florida Planting Calendar
What to plant in October in Florida
What to plant in October in Florida - Fall gardening
Florida Gardening Zones Map
Florida Gardening Zones Map
Subscribe