When to plant cauliflower in Florida
Florida’s average last spring frost is February 12, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 10 — about 301 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a). Cauliflower needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Florida's growing season.
Florida covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant cauliflower in Florida: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Jan 22 – Feb 8, with seeds started indoors Dec 25 – Jan 8. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow cauliflower in Florida, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Dec 25 – Jan 8). Sow seeds ½ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 75°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Jan 22 – Feb 8). Space plants about 18 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. It tolerates a light frost but not a hard freeze. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Florida.
- Water and feed. It needs plenty of water; keep the soil evenly moist and never let it dry out.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: cabbage worm, cabbage looper, aphids, cabbage root maggot. Diseases and disorders: clubroot, black rot, downy mildew.
- Harvest (from about Mar 30 – Apr 29). Cauliflower takes 60-90 days to reach harvest. The fussiest brassica - any check from cold, heat, or drought ruins the head. Fall crops are far more reliable than spring. Blanch white types by tying leaves over the curd.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Florida’s average frost dates. More in the full cauliflower growing guide.
Cauliflower planting dates by USDA zone in 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, so the cauliflower dates shift with them.
When to plant cauliflower in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (this page) | February 12 | Jan 22 – Feb 8 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Mar 4 – Mar 21 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Feb 12 – Mar 1 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
Questions gardeners in Florida ask
When is the best time to plant cauliflower in Florida?
Plant cauliflower transplants outdoors in Florida between January 22 and February 8. That timing is set by Florida's average last spring frost of February 12; Florida spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in Florida?
Start seeds indoors between December 25 and January 8, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from January 22.
Can I plant cauliflower in the fall in Florida?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between August 31 and September 17, so the crop matures in cool weather before Florida's first frost around December 10.
When will cauliflower planted in Florida be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cauliflower is usually ready from about March 30 to April 29, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Florida?
On average around February 12, with the first fall frost around December 10 - about 301 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.