Mississippi Green Cotton is a rare heirloom fiber crop that lets gardeners grow naturally green cotton, a fascinating alternative to conventional white varieties. This open-pollinated Gossypium hirsutum cultivar reaches 48-60 inches tall and matures in 140-150 days, thriving in zones 8-11 or in zones 6-7 when started indoors and protected from cool weather. Growing this cotton connects you to both textile history and the satisfying process of producing fiber from seed to finished material, making it as rewarding for fiber artists as it is intriguing for gardeners seeking something genuinely different.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-11
60in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Green cotton is genuinely uncommon in home gardens, and Mississippi Green Cotton offers gardeners and textile enthusiasts a tangible way to explore natural fiber production. The variety's deep roots as an open-pollinated heirloom mean you can save seed year after year, building a living collection tied to your own garden. Starting indoors in cooler zones unlocks growing potential beyond zone 8, while the 140-150 day timeline gives you a clear window for planning your season.
Mississippi Green Cotton is grown for its fiber, which can be harvested, cleaned, carded, spun into yarn, and woven or knitted into textiles. The naturally green color eliminates the need for synthetic dyes, making it valuable for fiber artists seeking sustainably produced, naturally colored material. Gardeners and textile enthusiasts grow it to explore the complete process of fiber production, from seed through finished fabric.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors in warm conditions (70-80°F) 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. This approach is essential for zones 6-7, where it extends the growing season enough for the 140-150 day maturation period to complete before frost arrives. Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 60°F, preferably warmer.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days before moving them to the garden. Transplant after the last frost date when soil has warmed; in cooler zones (6-7), wait until late spring or early summer to ensure plants aren't shocked by cold. Space plants 18 inches apart with 40 inches between rows.
Harvest cotton bolls when they open fully and the fluffy white or green fiber inside becomes visible. This typically occurs 140-150 days after planting. Pick bolls by hand once they've burst open, removing the fiber carefully to avoid leaving any behind in the open pod. Harvest throughout the late summer and early fall as bolls mature sequentially, checking plants every few days during peak season.
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“Mississippi Green Cotton represents a lineage of naturally pigmented cottons that predate synthetic dyes and modern breeding. As an heirloom, open-pollinated variety, it carries forward genetics that have been preserved and shared among fiber growers and cotton enthusiasts for generations. The 'Mississippi' designation ties it to American cotton-growing regions with deep agricultural heritage, though the preservation and continued availability of this green-colored cultivar speaks to seed savers and textile historians who recognized its cultural and practical value worth maintaining.”