Cotton may not be a traditional crop for many backyards, but this tropical plant can be simple to grow from seed under the correct conditions. It is a sun-loving plant that is actually a perennial, though grown as an annual by many gardeners due to its inability to stand a frost. The plant is part of the mallow family, which also includes hibiscus and okra, and these plants are all known to thrive in heat.
Cotton is grown commercially in the US throughout the area known as the ‘Cotton Belt’ of warm southern states running from North Carolina to California. It is currently illegal to grow cotton in your backyard in US states where it is grown commercially. This is to control boll weevil, and you must check with your local State Plant Board for the regulations in your area.
