Annual Flower

When to Plant Marigolds in Louisiana

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

The Short Answer

In Louisiana, plant marigolds based on your regional frost dates. Northern Louisiana has a last frost around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 20. Subtropical. Long growing season. Very hot and humid summers — some crops need shade. Year-round gardening possible.

Louisiana Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Louisiana you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Louisiana 8a, 8b Mar 1 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Nov 25
Southern Louisiana 9a, 9b Feb 1 - Feb 20 Dec 1 - Dec 20

Marigolds Planting Schedule for Louisiana

Northern Louisiana (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Southern Louisiana (Zones 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 1 - Feb 20 · Average first frost: Dec 1 - Dec 20

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Growing Marigolds in Louisiana

Marigolds in Louisiana's Climate

Marigolds thrive in your warm conditions and bloom from spring through late fall. French marigolds' nematode-suppressing properties are particularly valuable in the warm, sandy soils of the Southeast where root-knot nematodes are a significant garden pest.

Soil Considerations for Louisiana

Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some coastal areas. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 60°F before planting marigolds outside.

Louisiana Climate & Growing Season

Subtropical. Long growing season. Very hot and humid summers — some crops need shade. Year-round gardening possible. Marigolds cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across Louisiana: Northern Louisiana (8a, 8b) has a last frost around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana (9a, 9b) sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 20. This difference matters for marigolds — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

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

Companion Planting

Plant marigolds alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Peppers Squash Beans

The Bottom Line

Marigolds can be grown successfully across Louisiana, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Louisiana gardeners should plan around a Mar 1 - Mar 15 last frost, while those in Southern Louisiana can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Marigolds Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Louisiana Planting Calendar All plants for Louisiana Marigolds in Alabama Alabama planting dates Marigolds in Alaska Alaska planting dates Marigolds in Arizona Arizona planting dates Marigolds in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

Ready to Start Planting?

Enter your zip code and pick your plant. We'll tell you exactly when to plant, start seeds, and harvest — based on where you live.

Find Your Planting Dates