Desert Marigold in Zone 8a & 8b
Baileya multiradiata
Yes, desert marigold grows in zones 8a and 8b. Plant it outside Apr 1–Apr 8.
When to plant desert marigold in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
| Estimated bloom | Jun 15–Jun 22 (~75 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of desert marigold in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumApr 1–Apr 8
- MarigoldApr 1–Apr 8
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Apr 1–Apr 8
- AmaryllisApr 1–Apr 8
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Apr 1–Apr 8
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Apr 1–Apr 8
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 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Desert marigold needs about 75 days from sowing to first bloom.
Desert Marigold planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 1–Jul 8 |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | Not usually | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 15–Jun 22 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 8–May 15 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Feb 6–Feb 13 | Apr 22–Apr 29 |
Bloom dates are about 75 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
No well-established companions for desert marigold.
Where to buy desert marigold seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries desert marigold seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
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 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Desert Marigold in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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