PlantCal

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 zoneStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvest
Zone 1Nov 27Jan 22Mar 13
Zone 2Dec 28Feb 22Apr 13
Zone 3Jan 20Mar 17May 6
Zone 4Feb 9Apr 6May 26
Zone 5Feb 25Apr 22Jun 11
Zone 6Mar 12May 7Jun 26
Zone 7Mar 27May 22Jul 11
Zone 8Apr 13Jun 8Jul 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.

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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.