FrostCal

When to Plant Marigolds in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 17 – Mar 3, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

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
CharlotteFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
RaleighFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreensboroFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 8 – Apr 15
DurhamFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 9 – Apr 16
Winston-SalemFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 2 – Apr 9
FayettevilleFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
CaryFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 4 – Apr 11
WilmingtonFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 26 – Apr 2
High PointFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
AshevilleFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
GreenvilleFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 3 – Apr 10
ConcordFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 8 – Apr 15
GastoniaFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 3 – Apr 10
JacksonvilleFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
Chapel HillFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
Rocky MountFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
HuntersvilleFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
BurlingtonFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 5 – Apr 12
WilsonFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 29 – Apr 5
KannapolisFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 8 – Apr 15
ApexFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 3 – Apr 10
HickoryFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
Wake ForestFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
Indian TrailFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
MooresvilleFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
GoldsboroFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 4 – Apr 11
MonroeFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
SalisburyFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
Holly SpringsFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
MatthewsFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14

Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 17 – Mar 3, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

When is the last frost in North Carolina?

The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, 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 North Carolina

When to plant marigolds in other states

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