Blog

When to Plant Marigolds in Hawaii

Marigolds (Tagetes patula) are warm-season annuals beloved for their cheerful orange, yellow, and red blooms — and for their well-documented ability to repel pest nematodes in vegetable beds. Easy from seed, drought-tolerant once established, and bloom from early summer until the first hard frost.

Hawaii spans USDA hardiness zones 11a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Marigolds planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Marigolds Planting Calendar for Hawaii

Zone 11a ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 4 Dec 4 – Dec 18
Transplant Outdoors November 6 Nov 6 – Nov 20
Direct Sow November 6 Nov 6 – Nov 27
Bloom January 1 Jan 1 – Aug 13

Growing Tips for Hawaii

Direct-sow after last frost or start indoors 4-6 weeks earlier. Deadhead spent blooms to keep new flowers coming. French marigolds (T. patula) are the most reliable nematode repellents — plant a band around vegetable beds. Tolerate poor soil but bloom best with monthly compost.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Marigolds in Hawaii?

Planting dates for Marigolds in Hawaii depend on your USDA zone. Hawaii spans zones 11a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Hawaii for planting?

Hawaii contains USDA hardiness zones 11a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: July 2026.