Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain) in Zone 11a & 11b
Euphorbia marginata
Yes, euphorbia (snow-on-the-mountain) grows in zones 11a and 11b. Start seeds indoors Nov 27–Dec 4 and plant out Jan 1–Jan 8.
When to plant euphorbia (snow-on-the-mountain) in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Nov 27–Dec 4 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 1–Jan 8 |
| Estimated bloom | Mar 22–Mar 29 (~80 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of euphorbia (snow-on-the-mountain) in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumJan 8–Jan 15
- MarigoldJan 8–Jan 15
- African DaisyJan 1–Jan 8
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)Jan 1–Jan 8
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)Jan 1–Jan 8
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)Jan 1–Jan 8
Euphorbia, commonly called snow-on-the-mountain, is grown for its white-margined bracts that look frosted even in the height of summer heat, an unusual filler for a bouquet or used as annual hedging along a border.
How euphorbia (snow-on-the-mountain) fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain) planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Apr 15–Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | Aug 8–Aug 15 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 6 | Aug 18–Aug 25 |
| 4a & 4b | Apr 10–Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | Aug 3–Aug 10 |
| 5a & 5b | Apr 5–Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | Jul 29–Aug 5 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 21–Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | Jul 14–Jul 21 |
| 7a & 7b | Mar 6–Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jun 29–Jul 6 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 18–Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 11–Jan 18 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | May 6–May 13 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 26–Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Apr 20–Apr 27 |
| 11a & 11b (your zone) | Nov 27–Dec 4 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | Mar 22–Mar 29 |
Bloom dates are about 80 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for euphorbia (snow-on-the-mountain).
Where to buy euphorbia seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries euphorbia seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing euphorbia (snow-on-the-mountain)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
%20in%20USDA%20zone%2011b%3A%20when%20to%20start%20seeds%20indoors%2C%20when%20to%20direct-sow%2C%20and%20when%20to%20expect%20a%20bloom.)
Pin this for later
Growing Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain) in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest