Abstract: The cultivar Yunxue 1 was used as experimental material. Three transplanting dates were set including February 28 (T₁), March 8 (T₂) and March 18 (T₃). Meteorological conditions during the growing period, growth progression, leaf maturation characteristics, agronomic traits, post-curing physical properties, chemical composition, sensory quality and economic traits were systematically analyzed. The results showed that delaying transplanting from T₁ to T₃ significantly reduced the accumulated effective temperature during the growing period, and shortened the growth duration from 78 d to 59 d. SPAD values of leaves at all positions exhibited a unimodal pattern, and delayed transplanting significantly advanced the occurrence of both peak and minimum SPAD values, resulting in a shortened harvest window, with middle and lower leaves showing greater sensitivity. From initial to final harvest, a significant linear relationship was observed between the minimum SPAD value and its occurrence time, indicating its potential as an important physiological indicator for determining harvest maturity. Agronomic traits, post-curing physical properties, and chemical composition were generally optimal under the T₁ treatment. Sensory quality and economic analysis further demonstrated that T₁ exhibited clear advantages in aroma performance, coordination, and wrapper leaf yield. Overall, transplanting cigar tobacco in Baise should not be later than February 28 to promote leaf structural maturation and quality formation.