When to plant marigolds
Short answer
Plant marigolds about 1 week after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 22, starting seeds indoors about Feb 25. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Nov 27 | Jan 22 | Mar 13 |
| Zone 2 | Dec 28 | Feb 22 | Apr 13 |
| Zone 3 | Jan 20 | Mar 17 | May 6 |
| Zone 4 | Feb 9 | Apr 6 | May 26 |
| Zone 5 | Feb 25 | Apr 22 | Jun 11 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 12 | May 7 | Jun 26 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 27 | May 22 | Jul 11 |
| Zone 8 | Apr 13 | Jun 8 | Jul 28 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Marigolds is a tender crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
What sets the timing for marigolds
When to plant marigolds comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Marigolds is a tender crop, so it goes in about 1 week after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 22.
Give it a head start: sow seeds indoors about 7 weeks before your last spring frost (around Feb 25 in zone 5), then move seedlings out once conditions are right. From there it's roughly 50 days to first bloom.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for marigolds ranges from about Mar 17 in warm zone 3 to May 22 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Marigolds is tender — it waits until the soil warms after frost |
| Indoor start | Start seeds 7 weeks before your last spring frost |
| Days to harvest | About 50 days from planting to first bloom |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Needs warm soil — cold, wet ground stunts or rots it |
How marigolds compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas (hardy · plants early) | Mar 11 |
| Marigolds | Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing marigolds
- Don't rush marigolds outside — cold soil stalls it. Wait until after your last spring frost and, ideally, until nights stay mild.
- Give marigolds a 7 weeks indoor head start under a bright light before transplanting.
- Count roughly 50 days from planting to first bloom, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for marigolds dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant marigolds?
Plant marigolds about 1 week after your last spring frost. That's around Apr 6 in zone 4 and May 7 in zone 6.
When do I start marigolds seeds indoors?
Start marigolds seeds indoors about 7 weeks before your last frost, then transplant after the frost passes. That's roughly Mar 12 in zone 6.
How long until marigolds blooms?
About 50 days from planting until first bloom. In zone 6, marigolds planted around May 7 is typically blooming near Jun 26.