Marigold
Seed # 225
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 225
- Seed Name
- Marigold
- Variety
- French
- Category
- Flower
- Plant Family
- Asteraceae
- Plant Type
- French marigold (Tagetes patula)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow or Transplant
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Apr 1
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jul 15
- Plantable Months
- April, May, June, July
- Indoor Start
- Apr 1 – Apr 7
- Direct Sow
- May 6 – Jul 15
- Transplant
- May 12 – Jun 15
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- 5 weeks
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 1 weeks
- Germination Days
- 4–7 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 50–60 days to bloom; cultivar dependent
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 75-80°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/4 in
- Plant Spacing
- 8-12 in
- Row Spacing
- 12-18 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- 8-12 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- Moderate water; avoid persistent waterlogging
- Soil Preference
- Well-drained soil; tolerates moderate to relatively poor fertility
- Minimum Container Size
- excellent container flower
- Plant Height
- Not recorded
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- No
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- Yes
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beans | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Beans | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Beans | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Beans | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Beans | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Beans | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Pepper | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Pepper | Good Companion | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- University of Minnesota Extension; Clemson Cooperative Extension; MSU Extension
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost or direct sow after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Transplant/direct sow about May 15 – Jul 15
Germination Time: About 5–8 days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 45–60 days to bloom
Container Friendly: Yes; excellent container flower
Pollinator Friendly: Yes; flowers are visited by bees and other pollinators
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Primarily ornamental; do not use medicinally unless the exact cultivar/species use is verified
Perennial?: No; annual
Succession / Reusable Notes: Sow every 2–3 weeks through early summer or deadhead regularly for continuous bloom.
Zone 6B Notes: Easy Zone 6B annual; transplant/direct sow after frost and continue flowering until fall frost.
Companion Plants: Tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers and other flowers with similar sun needs
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Avoid waterlogged soil and overcrowding. Deadheading improves bloom. Spider mites can become an issue in hot/dry conditions.
Sources: University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/flowers/marigolds | Clemson Cooperative Extension: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/how-to-grow-and-care-for-marigolds-in-south-carolina/ | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors 4-6 weeks before May 5 or direct sow after frost. French marigolds bloom continuously through summer until frost when regularly deadheaded.
Germination: Sow approximately 1/4 inch deep and maintain 75-80°F for rapid germination.
Harvest: Deadhead faded flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming.
Seed Saving: Allow selected flower heads to become fully brown and dry before collecting the long narrow seeds.
Special Care: The packet identifies only the French marigold type, not a specific cultivar. Mature height and exact flower colors are therefore left unspecified.
Research Source: Better Homes & Gardens — https://www.bhg.com/fast-growing-flowers-to-start-from-seed-11681930 — Tagetes patula French marigold classification and approximately 50-day bloom timing
Research Source: The Spruce — https://www.thespruce.com/french-marigold-care-guide-8603449 — Tagetes patula identity, 10-12 inch spacing, full sun, container suitability, heat and drought tolerance, well-drained soil and deadheading
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]