How to Grow Marigolds
Tagetes
Cheerful, tough, pest-deterring companions for the vegetable garden.
By the Plants by Zone Editorial Team · Reviewed June 1, 2026
About marigolds
Marigolds are bright, easy annuals long valued as companion plants in the vegetable garden, where they’re believed to deter certain pests and nematodes. They bloom tirelessly from early summer to frost, tolerate heat and poor soil, and are as foolproof from seed as flowers get. Deadhead them and they’ll never stop.
When to plant and harvest marigolds
Timing is relative to your frost dates. Find your USDA zone for exact dates, or browse the month-by-month calendars.
Start seeds indoors
4–6 weeks before last frost
Transplant outdoors
After last frost
Direct sow
After last frost
Harvest
N/A (deadhead for continuous bloom)
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How to grow marigolds step by step
- 1
Start indoors 4–6 weeks early or direct-sow after frost — both work well.
- 2
Plant among vegetables, especially tomatoes, as a companion.
- 3
Water at the base and avoid overly rich soil, which gives leaves over flowers.
- 4
Deadhead spent blooms to keep flowers coming until frost.
Common problems growing marigolds
⚠ Few flowers, lots of leaves
Soil too rich or too much shade — give full sun and lean soil.
⚠ Powdery mildew or spider mites in heat
Improve airflow and water at the base.
⚠ Slugs on seedlings
Protect young plants until established.
✗ Keep away from
🧺 Harvesting marigolds
Deadhead regularly — pinch off faded blooms just below the flower head to channel energy into new buds and keep the plant flowering nonstop.
Marigolds: frequently asked questions
When should you plant marigolds?＋
In most regions you start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost, then transplant after last frost — or direct sow after last frost. Timing is relative to your last frost, so find your USDA hardiness zone for the exact planting dates where you live.
Do marigolds really repel pests?＋
French marigolds can suppress soil nematodes, and many gardeners use them to deter some insects. They’re a classic vegetable-garden companion.
How do I keep marigolds blooming?＋
Deadhead spent flowers regularly and grow them in full sun — they’ll bloom from early summer until frost.
Sources & review
Written and maintained by the Plants by Zone Editorial Team. Planting times are based on USDA hardiness zones and NOAA frost-date normals, with care guidance drawn from Cooperative Extension sources. Last reviewed June 1, 2026.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone MapNOAA U.S. climate normalsCooperative Extension
Grow marigolds in your zone
See exactly when to plant and what else to grow alongside marigolds, tailored to your USDA hardiness zone.
