Desert Marigold in Zone 10a & 10b
Baileya multiradiata
When to plant desert marigold in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Desert Marigold doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 6–Feb 13 |
| Estimated bloom | Apr 22–Apr 29 (~75 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Desert marigold is an odd fit for a vegetable-garden companion list because it isn't trying to fix anything. It's just there to survive extreme heat and drought while pulling in bees and butterflies, which is exactly what a low-desert garden needs in the months when little else is blooming, and it does it as a modest 1- to 1.5-foot mound of silvery foliage topped with plain yellow daisy blooms. If you garden anywhere outside zones 7-10, skip this one; it has no interest in humidity or regular watering.
How desert marigold fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Desert Marigold needs about 75 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Desert Marigold.
Where to buy desert marigold seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing desert marigold" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Desert Marigold in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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