Desert Marigold in Zone 9a & 9b
Baileya multiradiata
Yes, desert marigold grows in zones 9a and 9b. Plant it outside Feb 22–Mar 1.
When to plant desert marigold in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Feb 22–Mar 1 |
| Estimated bloom | May 8–May 15 (~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 9b
These go outside within two weeks of desert marigold in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumFeb 22–Mar 1
- MarigoldFeb 22–Mar 1
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Feb 22–Mar 1
- AmaryllisFeb 22–Mar 1
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Feb 22–Mar 1
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Feb 22–Mar 1
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Desert marigold needs about 75 days from sowing to first bloom.
Desert Marigold planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 | Not usually | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 15–Jun 22 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | 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 →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Desert Marigold in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest