Desert Marigold is an annual or biennial or perennial grown for its yellow blooms, which open in summer and return year after year. Notably, it shrugs off deer, shrugs off dry spells, and grows just as well in a container as in the ground. Its summer flowers are a real draw for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
7-9
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Desert Marigold on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether desert marigold actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score desert marigold against your land's real conditions.
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What Desert Marigold is
Desert Marigold grows as an annual or biennial or perennial and reaches around a foot and a half at maturity. It blooms yellow in summer. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Desert Marigold
Desert Marigold does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 7 to 9, on fast-draining ground.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
7 - 9
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
excessive (dry/moderately dry)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
1.5 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant desert marigold in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Desert Marigold prefers pH 7 to 9 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Harvest at its peak
Cut desert marigold blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — desert marigold isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Desert Marigold is a standout pollinator plant — high value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Desert Marigold thrives
Whether desert marigold thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Desert Marigold will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether desert marigold actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Desert Marigold in my zone?
Zone data for desert marigold is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Desert Marigold?
Most growers plant desert marigold after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Desert Marigold need?
Desert Marigold needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Desert Marigold need?
Desert Marigold prefers soil pH 7 to 9, on fast-draining ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Desert Marigold attract pollinators?
Yes — desert marigold's flowers are a strong nectar and pollen source for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Desert Marigold safe for pets?
Desert Marigold is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.