Durango Red

Family: Asteraceae Flowering annual

Planting Schedule

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Velvety, burnished blooms of Durango Red open in warm, ember-like shades—deep garnet with a soft, satiny glow—bringing instant drama to beds and borders.

The flower heads are richly layered and compact, with a tidy, French-marigold habit that holds color beautifully through the season. Grow Durango Red for dependable, long-lasting color that shines as a showy companion plant and makes every planting feel intentionally curated.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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Durango Red Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 27th	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 20th	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 10th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 10th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 14th	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 10th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 8th	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 3rd	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 30th	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 27th	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 21st	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 16th	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 6th	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 25th	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 16th	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 30th	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 5th	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	7

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for Tagetes patula (Durango Red marigold), and how do I treat it?

Marigold seedlings and crowded plants are especially prone to damping-off and root rot from consistently wet soil. Water at the base in the morning, keep plants spaced for airflow, and remove any collapsed seedlings immediately; if rot shows up, let the soil dry slightly between waterings and consider treating with a labeled fungicide for damping-off/root rot. Avoid overhead watering, since wet foliage accelerates fungal spread.

How often should I water Tagetes patula during the main growing phase?

After plants establish, water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry—typically about 2–3 times per week in warm weather, less in cooler or cloudy periods. Aim for deep, even moisture so the roots grow down, but don’t keep the soil soggy, which leads to root diseases in marigolds. During hot spells, water early in the day to prevent drought stress that can reduce flowering.

How can I tell when Durango Red Tagetes patula is ready to harvest?

For cut flowers, harvest when the flower heads are fully open and brightly colored, typically around 60 days from sowing (varies with temperature and starting method). Use a clean snip to cut blooms early in the morning, and remove spent flowers to encourage continuous new buds. If growing for dried petals, wait until the flower is fully open and begin to look slightly less fresh before drying.