FrostCal

When to Plant Marigolds in Illinois

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Mar 9 – Mar 23, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 8 in Granite City and as late as May 8 in Roscoe.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 45–60 days

Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.

Marigolds Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
ChicagoFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
AuroraMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
RockfordMar 13 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
JolietMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
NapervilleMar 17 – Mar 31May 5 – May 12
PeoriaMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
SpringfieldMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
North PeoriaMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
ElginMar 15 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
WaukeganMar 19 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14
ChampaignMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
CiceroFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
BloomingtonMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
Arlington HeightsMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
EvanstonMar 15 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
SchaumburgMar 19 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14
BolingbrookMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
DecaturMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 21 – Apr 28
PalatineMar 14 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
SkokieMar 15 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
Des PlainesMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
Orland ParkMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
Tinley ParkMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
Oak LawnFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
BerwynFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
Mount ProspectMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
NormalMar 14 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
WheatonMar 17 – Mar 31May 5 – May 12
Oak ParkFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
Hoffman EstatesMar 19 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14

Showing the 30 most populous of 242 Illinois cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Illinois cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in Illinois?

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Mar 9 – Mar 23, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 8 in Granite City and as late as May 8 in Roscoe.

When is the last frost in Illinois?

The average last spring frost in Illinois ranges from April 1 in Granite City to May 1 in Roscoe, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do marigolds take to grow?

Marigolds typically take 45–60 days from planting to harvest. Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.

Other Crops in Illinois

When to plant marigolds in other states

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