🌡 What Temperature Should My Marigold Be Kept At? (2024)

By Kiersten Rankel

Jan 13, 20244 min read

Discover the secret to vibrant marigolds 🌼—keep them cozy within the 70°F to 85°F sweet spot!

  1. 🌡️ Ideal Marigold Temp: 70°F to 85°F for health and blooms.
  2. Watch for wilting or brittle leaves to spot temperature stress.
  3. Use mulch, cloches, and shade cloth to mitigate extreme temperatures.

Nailing the Perfect Marigold Temperature

🌞 The Goldilocks Zone: 70°F to 85°F

Marigolds are sun worshippers, but they prefer their rays with a side of moderate warmth. The ideal temperature range for these golden beauties is 70°F to 85°F. It's the sweet spot that encourages robust growth and vibrant blooms.

When temperatures dip below 70°F, marigolds start to sulk, growth slows, and flowering can become as rare as a snowball in July. On the flip side, when the mercury climbs above 85°F, it's meltdown city. Leaves may wilt, and the plants can become stressed, making them an all-you-can-eat buffet for pests and diseases.

❄️ When the Mercury Drops: Marigolds in the Cold

Marigolds can handle a bit of a chill, but they draw the line at frost. They can survive down to about 40°F, but it's not a party they enjoy.

To prepare for cooler nights, especially in the unpredictable shoulder seasons of spring and fall, think like a marigold. They'd probably grab a sweater if they could. Instead, you can offer mulch for root insulation or use cloches to trap a bit of the day's warmth. This way, your marigolds won't be left shivering and stunting their growth when the temperature drops.

Spotting Trouble: Signs Your Marigold is Too Hot or Too Cold

🌡️ Heat Stress Symptoms

Wilting, but not from thirst? Marigolds can take the heat, but they have their limits. Look for wilting despite proper watering, or growth that's hit the brakes. If blooms are drying up or falling off like autumn leaves, your marigold's waving a white flag at the sun.

❄️ Cold Stress Symptoms

When the mercury plummets, marigolds feel the chill. Brittle leaves that curl inward are your first clue. If your marigold's growth has slowed to a crawl and it looks like it's trying to bundle up, it's time to take action. Leaves huddling in the center? That's marigold for "I'm freezing!"

Keeping Your Cool (or Warmth): Preventing Temperature Stress

🌞 The Scorching Sun and Your Marigold

Marigolds are sun-lovers, but everyone has their limits. In the face of a heatwave, your marigolds might start to feel the burn. Shade cloth can be a game-changer during peak hours, acting like a parasol for your petalled pals. It's essential to keep the soil moist without going overboard; think of it as a refreshing sip, not a flood.

❄️ The Chilly Challenge

When the temperature plummets, marigolds can turn into botanical ice sculptures. To prevent this, bubble wrap can be your garden's best friend, wrapping around pots to keep roots cozy. If Jack Frost is knocking, consider moving containers indoors or to a sheltered spot. Remember, a little warmth goes a long way, so if you're using a heat lamp, keep it gentle.

Marigolds are hardy, but they're not invincible. Whether it's the sun's fiery gaze or the cold's icy grip, your vigilance will keep them thriving.

A Quick Word on Humidity

In the dance of marigold care, humidity plays a supporting role to temperature. This invisible ally can be a game-changer for your blooms, especially when the mercury starts to act up.

💦 Humidity: The Unsung Hero

Marigolds aren't divas when it comes to humidity, but they do appreciate consistency. Too dry and you might find the leaves turning as crisp as autumn leaves; too moist, and you're setting the stage for a fungal free-for-all.

Keeping It Balanced

It's all about balance. Your marigold doesn't need a rainforest vibe, nor does it want to live in the Sahara. Aim for that middle ground—think comfortable living room, not a steamy bathroom or arid attic.

Tools of the Trade

Don't play guessing games with humidity. A hygrometer can be your best friend, letting you know when to bring out the humidifier or when to crack a window to let some dry air in.

The Ripple Effect of Humidity

Remember, humidity isn't just about comfort; it affects how your marigold perceives temperature. High humidity can make a hot day feel hotter for your plant, while low humidity can make it feel cooler. It's like wearing a wet shirt in a breeze—suddenly that mild day feels downright chilly.

Quick Fixes

If you're caught off-guard by a humidity crisis, don't sweat it—ventilation can be a quick fix. Open a window or get a fan going to keep the air from becoming stagnant. It's the plant equivalent of stepping into an air-conditioned room after a jog in the park.

Ensure your marigolds thrive in their sweet spot 🌡 with Greg, which tailors care plans to keep your blooms at their ideal temperature.

#Tagetes

17 posts on Greg
  • soooo i work at a certain hardware store and today while i was out in the garden center, i found this detached marigold head by the register! i already have some french marigolds, so i thought i’d give them a sister! i know nothing about growing flowers from seeds, so i’m just popping this in one of my spare pots and seeing what happens lol. feel free to give advice if it so pleases you!

  • 🌡 What Temperature Should My Marigold Be Kept At? (2)

    Marigolds are dying #Tagetes I know that marigolds need direct sunlight and I put them in a bed that gets the most sunlight it can on my patio. They shriveles up over night. Can anyone tell me why?

  • Dried up?! I water these plants everyday but the flowers are drying up. Is it because of root rot? #Tagetes

  • #HappyPlants #PlantAddict #NewGrowth

  • 🌡 What Temperature Should My Marigold Be Kept At? (3)

    My Marigold has curled up entirely and it's flowers have shed too after drying. I kept it in full sun for a week or so and yesterday had to put it in shade as it seems like it has taken too much sun. The leaves are still all curled up. How to revive it?

Browse #Tagetes

Learn More About
African Marigold Care

  • 🌟 Benefits
  • 🍂 Black Spots on Leaves
  • 🤔 Problems
  • 💩 Fertilizing
  • 💨 Humidity
  • ✂️ Pruning
  • 👶 Toxicity to Humans
  • 🪴 Repotting
  • 🍃 Leaves Falling Over
  • 🍂 Leaves Mushy
  • 🍂 Brown Spots on Leaves
  • 🍃 Leaves Dropping
  • 🌞 Direct Sunlight
  • 🪴 Soil
  • 🌤️ Light Requirements
  • 🌡️ Temperature
  • 🐞 Bugs
  • 🤒 Root Rot
  • 💦 How Often to Water
  • 🍃 Leaves Drooping
🌡 What Temperature Should My Marigold Be Kept At? (2024)

FAQs

🌡 What Temperature Should My Marigold Be Kept At? ›

Discover the secret to vibrant marigolds 🌼—keep them cozy within the 70°F to 85°F sweet spot! 🌡️ Ideal Marigold Temp: 70°F to 85°F for health and blooms. Watch for wilting or brittle leaves to spot temperature stress. Use mulch, cloches, and shade cloth to mitigate extreme temperatures.

What temperature is too cold for marigolds? ›

Most marigolds thrive in warm, dry conditions, but marigolds can be grown successfully anywhere outdoors as long as the temperature remains above 40°F. Most garden marigolds are annuals. And even though they are hardy, marigolds are not frost tolerant.

When can I put marigolds outside? ›

Wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting marigold seeds or marigold seedlings directly in your garden. Set out marigolds from spring into midsummer, but start African marigold plants as soon as the soil is warm because they take a long time to flower.

Do marigolds like sun or shade? ›

Once planted, marigolds grow rapidly with no fuss. Most thrive in full sun, taking hot, sunny exposures in stride. Marigolds can even handle the reflected heat and light of paved surfaces as long as they get regular moisture. However, marigolds will tolerate up to 20% shade if there is bright light the rest of the day.

Do marigolds need a lot of water? ›

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.

What temperature do marigolds grow at night? ›

Seeds will germinate in 5 to 8 days at 70-75°F. After germination, grow plants at 65-75°F during the day and 65-70°F at night.

How to keep marigolds healthy? ›

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.

How do you keep marigolds blooming all summer? ›

Deadheading is about removing faded flowers by pinching off the flower head. For some plants, including marigolds, pinching off the dead flower heads encourages them to produce more blooms rather than wasting their energy on forming seeds, extending the flowering season.

Do marigolds grow better in pots or in the ground? ›

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.

What should you not plant next to marigolds? ›

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.

What pests do marigolds repel? ›

Marigolds are known for repelling not only tiny pests like knot root nematodes (those are the nematodes that are not beneficial), tomato hornworms, cabbage worms, thrips, squash bugs, whiteflies, but they have also been known to repel even large pests like deer!

What is the best fertilizer for marigolds? ›

Picking the Perfect Fertilizer for Your Marigold

Nitrogen (N) gives them the lush, green leaves to flaunt, while phosphorus (P) is the secret sauce for robust roots and show-stopping blooms.

How do you perk up marigolds? ›

Water deeply, encouraging those roots to stretch down. Then, let the topsoil dry out just enough to avoid clinginess. Aim for moist, not soggy, and watch your Marigold perk up like it's had a shot of espresso.

How long do potted marigolds last? ›

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.

What do overwatered marigolds look like? ›

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 temperature do marigolds transplant at? ›

Marigold seeds generally do not germinate until soil temperatures reach 65 degrees Fahrenheit, though to be safe you should wait until they hit 70 F. They can be sown in the garden six weeks before the last predicted frost date and take roughly five to 10 days to germinate.

What temperature is too cold for annuals? ›

Temperatures below 32 degrees can freeze the leaf tissue of cold-wimpy plants and turn them to mush after just a few hours. Some of the most tender annuals and veggies might not die but suffer cold-induced setbacks even when overnight lows dip below 40.

What month is best to plant marigolds? ›

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.

What is the lowest temperature petunias can tolerate? ›

Many newer cultivars are able to withstand hotter temperatures, but no petunias thrive in chilly temperatures. When spring temperatures dip below 40 degrees F, either cover your outdoor petunias with frost cloth or bring them indoors. Temperatures below freezing will kill them in a jiffy.

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