Marigold plant profile
Tagetes spp.
An annual flower for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Marigold
Start seeds indoors
6 weeks before your last spring frost to 4 weeks before your last spring frost
Transplant outdoors
at your last spring frost to 2 weeks after your last spring frost
Direct sow
at your last spring frost to 2 weeks after your last spring frost
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- 1 in / week
- Planting depth
- 0.25 in
- Soil pH
- 5.5 to 7
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Spacing
- 8 to 16 in apart
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: leafminers, whiteflies, fungal leaf spots.
By hardiness zone
Marigold by zone
Planting dates for a typical location in each zone:
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- How to Grow and Care for Marigolds in South Carolina (HGIC 1168)
Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports indoor seed-starting timing (normalized), outdoor transplant timing (normalized), direct-sowing timing (normalized), plant and row spacing (direct), planting depth (direct), sun requirement (direct), water needs (direct), soil pH (direct), and common problems (direct). Checked 2026-06-11.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Marigold (Tagetes) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.