Cotton grows in warm climates and can be grown between the latitudes of 30°N to 30°S.

More Info:  In the tropics, cotton grows on a tree-like perennial.  In temperate climates, the plant has been cultivated to grow as a shrubbery annual.  Though it is possible to grow cotton anywhere between the latitudes of 30°N to 30°S, the climate will greatly influence the production and quality of the product.  Cotton plants perform best under warm conditions with heavy rainfall while maturing, and dry warn conditions during harvesting season.

Where Is Cotton Grown In the US?

Cotton has been grown across the US since the time of Coronado who documented the American Indians cultivating the plant in the 1500's.  The American colonists did not start growing cotton until the early 1600's.  Since that time, the southern states boast the largest production of cotton, Texas holding top honors as top producer.  Seventeen states primarily produce the majority of all the cotton in the United States  and include: (in alphabetical order) Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. 

Who Grows the Most Cotton?

Cotton is grown across the US and in many other parts of the world.  Texas is the leading producer of cotton in the United States.   Throughout the world, China is the leading cotton producing country, producing 36 million bales of cotton from 2006-2008.  India is the second largest cotton producing country producing 23.1 million bales of cotton in the same timeframe.  Third, is the US with production averaging 17.9 million bales.