How to Plant Marigold Seeds Indoors

Native to South America, the marigold is a member of the Compositae family and considered a tender annual when grown in the U.S. The marigold species of plant is capable of growing between 6 inches and 4 feet tall with an equal spread at maturity. The green foliage of the marigold plant gives way to brilliantly colored orange, yellow, cream or maroon blooms that have rounded or flat heads and a pungent odor. Marigolds propagate by seed. Start seeds indoors prior to the last frost of the to yield healthy seedlings for spring planting.

Seed starter tray with clear plastic lid
Damp potting soil
Water
Spray bottle
Grow light
Plant heating pad

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a seed-starter tray with damp potting soil. Press two to three marigold seeds, 1/4 inches into the soil of each cell. Pat the soil over the top of the seeds to remove air pockets.
- 2
  Cover the seed starter tray with its matching clear plastic lid. Set the seed tray in an area that receives bright, indirect sunlight and maintain a constant temperature between 60 and 75 degrees F.
- 3
  Lift the lid every few days to check the soil for moisture. Keep the soil moist with a misting of water from a spray bottle during the germination period. Marigold seeds should begin to sprout within three to four days of planting.
- 4
  Remove the plastic lid when the marigold seeds sprout. Continue to maintain bright, indirect sunlight and warm temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees F as the marigold seedlings grow.
- 5
  Transplant the marigold seedlings into 4-inch individual pots filled with sterile potting soil, once they develop their second set of leaves. Transplant outdoors in the spring when the threat of frost has passed.

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