Annual Flower

When to Plant Marigolds

The ultimate companion plant. Marigolds repel pests, attract pollinators, and add cheerful color all season long.

Sun

Full sun (6-8 hours)

Water

1 inch per week

Days to Harvest

50-60

Difficulty

beginner

Spacing

10"

Frost Tolerance

none

The Short Answer

Start marigolds seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost, or direct sow after frost danger has passed. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Marigolds

Marigolds are the workhorse companion plant — their roots release alpha-terthienyl, a compound that suppresses root-knot nematodes in the soil. This isn't folklore; it's been confirmed in peer-reviewed research. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are more effective at nematode suppression than African marigolds (Tagetes erecta). Beyond pest management, they're cheery, easy-care flowers that bloom from transplant through hard frost. Deadheading keeps them tidy but isn't strictly necessary. The pungent scent that some people dislike is the same chemistry that repels pests.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Begin marigolds seeds indoors 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Seeds need soil temperatures of at least 60°F to germinate, which typically takes 5-7 days. Provide 12 hours of light per day using a south-facing window or grow lights.

Transplanting

Move seedlings outside 1 weeks after your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 60°F. Harden off seedlings for 5 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

Direct Sowing

Marigolds can be direct sown 1 weeks after your last frost date. Plant seeds 0.25" deep, spaced 10" apart.

Growing Tips

French marigolds are best for pest control in vegetable gardens. Deadhead spent flowers to keep them blooming until frost.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Tomatoes Peppers Squash Beans

Marigolds Planting Dates by State

Click your state for marigolds planting dates specific to your location:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026