Desert Marigold Fact Sheet (2024)

FAQs

What are the facts about desert marigolds? ›

Desert marigolds are considered perennial plants and therefore live for more than two growing seasons. They can grow to be 1-2 feet tall and 2 feet across. Desert marigold either fresh or dried, are poisonous to goats and sheep, but not to cattle or horses.

Desert Marigold needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when it doesn't get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0" pot.

Plants are self-sown and are often found in clusters but are not intrusive/invasive in nature (Irish, 2006; Bryant, 2011; Earle, 1974; Shuler, 1993). Figure 2. Desert marigold (Photo by Jim Thomas, USDA-NRCS Tucson Plant Materials Center).

Desert Marigold holds cultural significance among Native American tribes in the Southwest. It is often used in traditional ceremonies and is believed to have spiritual and healing powers. The plant is also used in the creation of traditional crafts, such as woven baskets and ceremonial decorations.

The Desert Marigold is an annual wildflower that blooms from March to November. A member of the Asteraceae family, the flower resembles an intense yellow daisy. Although known to be poisonous to goats and sheep, desert marigold flowers provide excellent browse for cattle and horses.

You can identify whether your marigolds are overwatered by how they look. When they are overwatered they will be wilted, drooping down, and have yellowing leaves. You may also notice fungal growth towards the bottom stem of the plant.

🌞 What Is A Good Temperature Range For My Desert Marigold? 🌡️ Ideal range 65°F to 85°F; watch for heat stress above 95°F. Cold tolerance down to 50°F, with signs of stress like brittle leaves.

Watering: Marigolds prefer the soil to dry out in between watering; yet can also be finicky if their leaves are wet. Plan to water at the base of the plant, and keep soil moist, yet not overly wet. Fertilizing: Plant in nutrient rich soil, and fertilize, as needed.

Marigold companion planting enhances the growth of basil, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, gourds, kale, potatoes, squash and tomatoes. Marigold also makes a good companion plant to melons because it deters beetles. Beans and cabbage are listed as bad companion plants for marigolds.

Marigolds make for stunning outdoor container plants, due to their long-lasting color and texture. Plus, they respond well to transplanting and quickly establish new roots in soil. You can "use ordinary commercial potting soil in any kind of container, but clay pots are especially good," says Groft.

Can you touch marigolds? ›

Some species of marigold are not considered toxic. However, some branches of the family can cause stomach upset when eaten and contact dermatitis when touched. Most cases of ingestion of the marigold will mean a mild episode of gastrointestinal upset.

Special Precautions and Warnings

It can cause a skin rash in some people. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Ornamental marigold is sometimes used as a food flavoring. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

The blossoms of these short-lived perennial to annual plants have flower heads that turn papery with age, giving rise to one if its popular names, paper daisy.

Do marigolds come back every year? Calendula and Tagetes are annuals, so they only live for one year. However, if sown early and then deadheaded or regularly cut for the vase, marigolds will flower for months, sometimes from May to November. Calendulas will often self-sow, giving you more flowers the following year.

The flowers have 50 to over 100 stamens. The flowers offer pollen and nectar to insect visitors, and are most commonly pollinated by hoverflies (Syrphidae). While parts of the plant are used medicinally, handling the plant can cause skin irritation, and uncooked parts are toxic to human consumption.

In summary, the marigold flower meaning varies across cultures, often symbolizing purity, divinity, and the connection between life and death. Their vibrant colors and strong fragrance make them an essential part of various traditions, festivals, and rituals worldwide.

Marigolds are native to subtropical America and have been cultivated in Mexico for over 2,000 years. Marigold cultivars are usually sold as part of a series with similar growth characteristics and a wide range of colors. African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) have large, double flowers and bloom from midsummer to frost.