Marigolds are cheerful, brilliantly coloured annuals that are long-standing favourite summer flowers for borders and pots. Colours are mainly yellow and orange with some reds and creamy white. All marigolds are excellent for attracting pollinating insects. The largest group of marigolds are named Tagetes and are half-hardy annuals, meaning they are tender and won’t tolerate frost. They flower for months through summer and into autumn and vary from plain single colours to a range of contrasting markings of red, brown, yellow, or orange. All have finely divided foliage which is strongly aromatic.
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The other popular flower also known as marigold (or pot marigold) is Calendula.
How to grow marigolds
Grow Tagetes marigolds from seed, or buy them as seedlings (plug plants) to grow on, or as garden-ready plants. Plant them in beds or pots after all risk of frost has passed, in good soil in a sunny spot. Water during dry spells, remove dead heads to extend flowering, and feed if grown in pots.
Marigolds need full sun and a reasonably fertile, well-drained soil. Smaller marigolds make good edging plants for borders and do well in pots, while taller or larger-flowered marigolds can be grown in large pots or in borders. Marigolds do best in a sheltered site, particularly the large-flowered African marigolds, as the big blooms can be easily damaged by wind.
Tagetes marigolds can be used as what is referred to as ‘companion plants’, because their leaves are strongly aromatic and this scent deters some pests. A popular companion planting technique is to plant tagetes marigolds around tomato and cucumber plants to deter whitefly, particularly in a greenhouse.
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How to plant marigolds
Tagetes marigolds flower within a few weeks of sowing and can either be sown indoors in early spring to flower from early summer or sown outside in late spring, for later blooms. For early sowings indoors, sow seed in a warm place, transplant the seedlings into small pots or modular trays, and grow on in a warm, well-lit place. Plant outside once the frosts have passed, first hardening off (acclimatising plants to the outside) over a couple of weeks.
Alternatively, sow outside in late spring directly where plants are to flower. Sow the seed thinly into moist well-prepared soil and thin the seedlings to 10-20 cm apart, depending on variety size.
In borders, improve poor soil with well-rotted compost or soil conditioner. Use peat-free multi-purpose potting compost for pots. Water in well after planting.
As long as marigolds are planted in reasonably fertile soil, little care is needed apart from an occasional thorough watering during dry spells. Removing the dead heads encourages more flowers to be produced, while pinching out shoots of tall varieties can encourage bushy growth.
Water pot-grown marigolds regularly and apply a liquid fertiliser every 7-14 days from midsummer onwards.
How to propagate marigolds
Tagetes marigolds are tender and will die during the first frosts of autumn. Try saving seed from them beforehand and use it to propagate new plants the following spring.
Growing marigolds: problem solving
African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) have large heads of double flowers which can rot in wet summers. In areas prone to damp weather, grow other varieties of marigold with smaller flowers.
Marigolds need free-draining soil and, if the ground is heavy and poorly drained, they may develop grey mould or root rots.
Marigold varieties to grow
French marigolds, Tagetes patula
These bear double flowers to 5cm across, on short plants to 30cm high. ‘Durango’ series bears extra-large blooms in a range of yellow, orange and red shades. ‘Naughty Marietta’ has single yellow blooms prettily blotched with maroon. 'Crackerjack' has tall double blooms in shades of orange and yellow.
These are taller than French marigolds and more substantial, with large double blooms up to 10cm across. Varieties include ‘Vanilla’, which has frilly, fully double, creamy yellow flowers. ‘Marvel Mixed’ is short, with big pompon-like blooms. 'Dune Mixed' is a mix of yellow, gold and orange pompons.
These bear smaller blooms, 3-5cm across. ‘Zenith Mixed’ is a robust grower that stands up well to wet weather, with brilliant yellow or orange flowers.
Signet marigolds bear masses of small single blooms, growing up to 45cm high. Varieties include ‘Lemon Gem’, with pale yellow flowers and ‘Golden Gem’ is a rich golden yellow.
Light: Full sun, to partial shade. Soil: Marigolds prefer fertile soil, preferably loose and loamy with adequate drainage, yet can also tolerate dry conditions. Spacing: Sow seeds directly in the garden 1-inch apart, or in seed trays to transplant with root system is established.
Groft notes that pruning away early flower buds will cause a marigold plant to bush out, resulting in a lusher main blooming season. Deadheading, or removing spent flowerheads after they bloom, will also keep the plant producing new flowers well into the fall season.
Marigolds are heat-loving plants that thrive in zones 2 to 11. They are easily grown in full sun (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily) in moderately fertile, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Some light afternoon shade prolongs their blooms in hot summer areas.
The commonly planted French marigolds and African marigolds are annuals—they sprout, grow, flower, and die, all in the same year—but that doesn't mean they won't come back. Marigolds frequently self-seed, meaning their seed drops, overwinters, and germinates in the spring without any help from the gardener.
Marigolds are very easy to grow and grow fast, which makes them great for children or gardening newbies. Marigolds need full sun all day to provide blooms all season long. Three common types are French, African, and Signet. Marigolds naturally repel pests such as deer or rabbits since they find their odor offensive.
Light: Full sun, to partial shade. Soil: Marigolds prefer fertile soil, preferably loose and loamy with adequate drainage, yet can also tolerate dry conditions. Spacing: Sow seeds directly in the garden 1-inch apart, or in seed trays to transplant with root system is established.
When growing marigolds, check soil weekly: When the top inch is dry, it's time to water. (Marigolds growing in containers may need more frequent watering.) Each time you water, be sure to drench the soil, and aim the nozzle or spout of your watering device toward the base of the plants.
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.
Smaller marigolds make good edging plants for borders and do well in pots, while taller or larger-flowered marigolds can be grown in large pots or in borders. Marigolds do best in a sheltered site, particularly the large-flowered African marigolds, as the big blooms can be easily damaged by wind.
Being a hardy annual, pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) can be sown direct into the soil outside in March, April, or May for summer flowers the same year. Alternatively, they can be sown direct into the soil outside in August or September for flowers the following year.
Ease your mind 🐕—marigolds aren't toxic to dogs, but here's how to handle the small risks. Marigolds can cause mild discomfort in dogs, like gastrointestinal upset. 🐶 Symptoms to watch: vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation. Prevent ingestion with fencing or elevating plants; seek vet if symptoms persist.
Marigolds can grow in a variety of soils, but they prefer rich, well-draining soil if they can get it. Scatter your seeds on the ground and cover them with a thin layer of very fine soil. Water gently and regularly over the next week to keep the soil from drying out.
Broadcast seed into cultivated soil so that the seeds are about 2 inches (5 cm) apart and one-half inch (1 cm) deep. Thin to 8 inches (20 cm) apart in all directions for dwarf varieties; allow 12 inches (30 cm) between very tall varieties.
While the general consensus is that these vibrant beauties thrive in full sun, some varieties have a bit more flexibility and can handle a bit of shade without throwing a fit. African marigolds, for instance, are the high-maintenance types that demand the spotlight.
Marigolds are yellow-blooming flowers. It varies in colour from yellow to orange. It is used for various purposes like celebrations and death rituals. Marigold shows anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, which make them special.
When adding water to an arrangement, mix it with preservative from the florist. 3. Marigolds treated in this way should have a long vase life of a week or more.
Marigolds are annuals and not guaranteed to flower repeatedly. They can populate your garden beds all summer long, however, simply by regular marigold deadheading. Marigolds, like cosmos and geraniums, bloom the entire growing season if you get busy removing spent marigold flowers.
Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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