When Do Marigolds Bloom?

Marigolds begin to bloom in late spring and continue producing flowers through summer. Once the first frost of fall arrives, marigolds will stop blooming. In some instances, marigolds growing in warmer climates may continue to produce blooms deep into autumn. Although marigolds have good heat tolerance, extreme heat during the summer may slow flower production. If this occurs, marigolds will resume blooming once cooler temperatures arrive.

What Months Do Marigolds Bloom?

Marigolds can begin blooming as early as May and continue to bloom through September. In warmer climates, Marigolds can continue to bloom late into fall, even carrying blooms into October. In colder regions, marigolds may not begin to bloom until June.

• Marigolds typically bloom from May–September.
• In regions with warm weather, marigolds will bloom as late as October.
• Sow marigold seeds 2 weeks before the last fall frost.
• Marigold seeds will take 45–60 days to grow into flowering plants.

To ensure your marigold plants begin blooming as early as possible, sow seeds outdoors 2 weeks prior to the last frost. Once sown, the seeds will germinate in 3–14 days. The sooner the seeds can be sown, the sooner seedlings will grow into flower-producing plants. The plants should continue being productive from early summer into fall until the first frost.

Do Marigolds Flower All Year?

Marigolds do not flower year-round. They will begin flower production in late spring or early summer and cease producing flowers in fall. This is true for all varieties of marigolds. If you are growing annual marigolds, they will die in the fall. However, these bright flowers are self-seeding, so new marigolds will often sprout in the same location the following spring.

• Marigolds will not produce flowers all year.
• You can expect marigolds to flower from late spring until early fall.
• Depending on the variety of marigolds you plant, they may die or enter dormancy in the fall.

Perennial marigolds live for multiple years, but they do not produce flowers year-round. They will lose all their leaves and flowers in fall, then come back from the roots in spring. Even if you grow a marigold indoors in a temperature-controlled environment, they will only flower for a few months each year.

Do Marigolds Bloom All Summer?

As long as the plants remain healthy, marigolds should produce blooms throughout the summer. If the plants do not receive the necessary hours of sunlight per day or are attacked by disease, flowering may end early or not begin at all. Additionally, extremely hot weather may cause a lull in marigold flowering during the peak of summer.

• Healthy marigolds will bloom throughout summer.
• Marigolds planted in shady and/or wet conditions may struggle to bloom.
• High summer heat can disrupt flowering.
• Encourage marigold flowering during peak summer temperatures by covering them with this row cover in the afternoon.

Plant marigolds in well-drained soil to prevent root rot and fungal disease that can disrupt flowering. If summer temperatures cause your marigold flowers to wilt, provide light afternoon shade and increase watering frequency. A little sun protection and extra water per week can encourage your marigold to bloom at the height of summer.

How Often Do Marigolds Bloom?

Marigolds typically produce one bloom per stem, beginning in late spring or early summer. However, you can encourage marigolds to produce additional flowers by “deadheading” your marigolds. To deadhead your marigolds, wait until the bloom withers and dries up, then pinch it from the steam. This process promotes plant growth and supports new flower production.

• Marigolds bloom once per year.
• Each marigold stem will typically produce one flower each year.
• Deadhead marigolds by removing dead flowers—this can stimulate the plant to produce more flowers.
• Save the dried marigold blooms you remove. They contain seeds you can use to plant new marigolds next spring.

Deadheading is ongoing throughout the flowering season. At the first sign of fading blooms, deadhead the plant. If you have multiple plants, deadheading will keep you busy as long as the plants continue to bloom. An added benefit of deadheading is the collection of marigold seeds for future planting. When you remove the dead flowers, you will see a collection of black seeds with a white tip. Place these seeds in a dry paper envelope and store them until it’s time to plant again in spring.

Where Do Marigolds Grow Best?

Plant marigolds with companion plants in garden beds that receive direct sunlight for 5–6 hours per day. Marigolds do not do well in shady areas. While the plants may grow in shade, they will not produce flowers. If you do not have a single flower bed that receives enough sunlight for your marigolds, consider planting them in containers that can be moved into the sun throughout the day.

• Marigolds thrive in locations where they receive 5–6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Shady areas are not suitable for marigold growth.
• Plant marigolds in areas where soil does not remain wet for long periods after watering.
• Mix compost into the soil each spring before seeding marigolds—this will boost flower growth.

Marigolds prefer planting locations with well-drained soil that is slightly moist but not soggy or overly wet. If marigolds are planted in soggy soil, they will develop root rot and die. This is especially true of African marigolds. French marigolds can tolerate more moisture than other varieties. Additionally, marigolds prefer non-acidic soil with plenty of nutrients. Consider mixing compost into your garden soil each spring to add organic matter and support abundant marigold growth. 

What Time of Year Do Marigolds Bloom?

When cultivating marigolds to produce the most blossoms, keep these facts in mind:

• Marigolds bloom from late spring until early fall.
• In warmer regions, marigolds can continue blooming late into fall.
• Remove dried marigold blooms throughout the summer to encourage your plant to produce more flowers.
• Protect marigolds from excessive heat in summer to encourage ongoing flower production.
• Sow marigold seeds 2 weeks before the last spring first to ensure the longest growing season and the most flowers.

By combining this knowledge with proper watering and sunlight, your marigolds will flower early and add vibrant splashes of color to your garden throughout summer. Their long-lasting blooms make marigolds a favorite among gardeners.