Marigold

Family: Asteraceae Flowering annual

Planting Schedule

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Sun-warmed and richly aromatic, French marigold ‘Marigold’ blooms with velvety, layered petals that glow in bright, saturated tones and hold their color through heat.

The flower’s texture is plush and full, with an upright, tidy habit that makes each bloom feel like a little bouquet in the garden. Ideal for edging and beds, ‘Marigold’ shines as a vivid, long-lasting ornamental—an easy favorite for adding bold, Aster-like charm all season long.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Clumping

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Marigold 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	May 4th	Jun 1st	Jul 21st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 14th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 8th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 2nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jun 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	May 30th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 21st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 12th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Apr 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Mar 31st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Tagetes patula (French marigold), and how can I treat it?

The most common problem is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, powdery coating on leaves during warm, humid periods. Improve airflow by spacing plants and watering at the base, then remove heavily affected leaves. If needed, spray with an all-in-one fungicide labeled for powdery mildew on ornamentals and repeat as directed until new growth is clean.

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

Keep soil consistently lightly moist while plants are establishing, usually watering whenever the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Once Tagetes patula is actively growing, water deeply about 1–2 times per week, increasing to more frequent watering during hot weather. Avoid soggy soil—marigolds in wet, poorly drained beds are more prone to mildew.

How do I know when Tagetes patula is ready to harvest?

Tagetes patula is typically ready for first harvest around 50 days after sowing when flower heads are fully formed and brightly colored. For cutting, pick blooms in the morning when petals are crisp and centers are developed; deadhead soon after flowering to encourage more buds. If you’re collecting seed, leave some flower heads on the plant until the heads dry and the seeds are dark and firm before harvesting.