What to plant in December in Florida
In Florida (FL), the average first fall frost (December 10) has passed by mid-December. The state averages 301 frost-free days a year (last frost February 12, first frost December 10; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a).
30 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including shallot, garlic - and 5 of those windows close during December.
Dates here come from Florida frost dates (last frost Feb 12, first frost Dec 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, onion or eggplant in Florida.
Florida covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
Florida: planting activity through the year
Last chance in December
Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Dec 4) · Celery (start seeds indoors, by Dec 11) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Dec 11) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Dec 11) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Dec 11)
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from Florida's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
Start seeds indoors in December (29)
Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeriac | Start seeds indoors | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | Last chance - ends Dec 4 |
| Celery | Start seeds indoors | Nov 27 – Dec 11 | Last chance - ends Dec 11 |
| Leek | Start seeds indoors | Nov 27 – Dec 11 | Last chance - ends Dec 11 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors | Nov 27 – Dec 11 | Last chance - ends Dec 11 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors | Nov 27 – Dec 11 | Last chance - ends Dec 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Dec 4 – Dec 18 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Dec 4 – Dec 18 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Dec 4 – Dec 18 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Dec 11 – Dec 25 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Opens Dec 18 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Opens Dec 18 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Opens Dec 18 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Opens Dec 18 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Opens Dec 18 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Opens Dec 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Opens Dec 25 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Opens Dec 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Opens Dec 25 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Opens Dec 25 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Opens Dec 25 |
Harvesting in December
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Florida
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Florida: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in December in Florida
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.
After the first frost: December garden jobs in Florida
- The average first frost (December 10) has passed - pull frost-killed tender plants and compost the healthy ones; bin or burn anything that had blight or mildew.
- Plant garlic now (Dec 21 – Jan 7): single cloves, pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, then mulch.
- Leave cold-hardy roots (carrots, parsnips, leeks) in the ground under a thick mulch and dig them as needed.
- Clean and oil tools, drain hoses, and note what worked this year while you still remember - it makes next year's plan far easier.
USDA zone chart for Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Florida in December?
30 crops have a window in December: shallot, garlic, celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley, bell pepper and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Florida in December?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Florida have closed. The next step is to transplant outdoors from about February 12.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Florida in December?
For this year, yes - the lettuce windows in Florida have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 8.
When is the first frost in Florida?
The statewide average first fall frost is around December 10 and the last spring frost around February 12. Florida covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in December in Florida?
Celeriac (Nov 20 – Dec 4), Celery (Nov 27 – Dec 11), Leek (Nov 27 – Dec 11), Onion (Nov 27 – Dec 11), Rosemary (Nov 27 – Dec 11), Eggplant (Dec 4 – Dec 18), Parsley (Dec 4 – Dec 18), Shallot (Dec 4 – Dec 18), Bell Pepper (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Chili Pepper (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Ginger (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Green Onion / Scallion (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Mint (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Oregano (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Sage (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Tarragon (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Thyme (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Turmeric (Dec 11 – Dec 25), Ground Cherry (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Lemon Balm (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Shiso (Perilla) (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Sweet Marjoram (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Tomatillo (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Tomato (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Broccoli (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Brussels Sprouts (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Cabbage (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Cauliflower (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Kale (Dec 25 – Jan 8).
What to plant in December in other states
Dates are computed from Florida’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.