How to Grow and Care for Marigolds

Marigolds are lively annual plants with vibrant colors that have long been favored as summertime flowers for borders and containers. The predominant colors are warm colors. Every marigold is quite effective in luring pollinating insects. They bloom for months over the summer and into the fall, and their colors range from simple single hues to a variety of red, yellow, or orange patterns. All have scented foliage that can perfume all around your corners when blooming.

Botanical Name	Tagetes spp.
Common Names	Marigold
Plant Type	Herbaceous Annual
Soil Type	Well-drained Evenly moist
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil pH	Slightly acidic to neutral
Bloom Time	Summer
Flower Color	Yellow Gold White Bicolor Orange Red
Mature Size	4–48 in. tall, 6–24 in. wide

Are you planning to plant them in your garden? Read through this guide on how to plant marigolds.

Marigold flowers resemble carnations or daisies and are typically brilliant orange, copper brown, or yellow. They can bloom alone or in bunches. Even though most gardeners find their distinctive aroma to be harsh, it deters insects and pests from the gardens. Slugs and caterpillars, on the other hand, can be problematic for marigolds.

Once the final frost has passed in the spring, you can start planting marigolds. Starting indoors from seed is possible as long as you do it around two months before the final anticipated frost. In warm soil that is typically between 70°F and 75°F, seeds will sprout anywhere between 4 and 14 days. If you choose indoor seed germinating, an excellent place for seeds to rest is over the refrigerator. After the final frost, transfer the seeds outside once they germinate.

There are various types of marigolds with different heights. You can find marigolds in moderate height with only 4 to 6 inches tall, or even 48 inches. Here are three different types of Marigolds, which are native to Africa and French [1].

• Mexican marigolds: They are commonly referred to as African marigolds, and are widely used as cut flowers or border plants. They feature blossoms that are more than 4 inches wide and may reach heights of up to 4 feet. Orange and yellow are their common colors.
• French marigolds: These typically grow from 5'' to 18'' tall and are likely to grow short, bushy plants. They often contain 2 flower heads that are approximately 2'' wide and have purple-tinged stalks with yellow, orange, and mahogany colors.
• Signet marigolds: They are edible. With its tiny daisy-like flowers and lacy foliage, they have a completely different appearance from other marigolds. They appear in orange and yellow.

Marigolds grow well in almost any soil type and are simple to grow. They are among the simplest flowers to cultivate all year round because the majority of kinds need full light and can endure even very high temperatures. In actuality, marigold seeds don't even need to be started inside due to their resilience. The straightforward instructions for planting seeds directly in the ground or transplanting are provided here.

• For big types, sow seeds 18’’-24’’ inches apart.
• For medium types, sow seeds 12’’ -15’’ apart.
• For small plants, sow seeds 6’’ apart.

The seeds only need to be covered with soil and kept warm and wet. Once transplanting, ensure to hydrate the area well. If the temperature is warm enough, plants will begin to germinate in a few days, and blossoms will start to show in about two months.

Temperature and Humidity

Marigolds can withstand a wide range of humidity, but in wet or humid summers, they may develop powdery mildew. This issue can be mitigated by planting in full sunlight and leaving space for airflow. These indigenous Mexican plants prefer relatively dry air. In all of their growth zones, which range from 2 to 11, marigolds are heat-loving plants that do well in summer. In locations with hot summers, these true annuals may become a little less active during the height of summer, but as the weather cools in late summer and fall, the blossoming resumes.

Light

Grow your marigolds in full light for the greatest blooms and healthy plants. The plant will grow lanky and produce fewer flowers in shady environments.

Soil

Marigolds don't make a fuss. Just don't plant them in too acidic soil. Maintain a neutral pH range for the soil, between 6.0 and 7.0 [2]. Additionally, they don't require highly organic matter-rich soil and tend to thrive in a cleaner environment.

Water

Keep in mind to constantly water the marigold seeds or plants when you begin to plant them. Water young plants every day if the weather is especially hot and sunny. They will become more resistant to drought once they have developed strong root systems, but weekly watering is still necessary for them to bloom at their best.

Fertilizer

Unless your soil is really poor, the marigolds won't require any more fertilizer. Deadheading often is the greatest thing to make them bloom.

Usually, marigolds do not attract serious pests and diseases. However, they may also suffer from some problems occasionally. One of those is snails and slugs, which usually eat leaves and are hard for marigolds to grow, especially on young plants.

Marigolds are easy to plant if you want to own a garden of warm-colored flowers. They don’t need much special care during growth and can bloom in 2 months. We hope that this post can help you learn more about how to grow marigolds and start planting your new garden with these gorgeous flowers with ease.

Are marigolds easy to grow?

Marigolds are easy to grow and bloom. Just give this plant enough full sun all day, they can grow fast and bloom all season long.

Do marigolds do well in pots?

Marigolds can grow well even placing them in pots. This is because this plant accepts transplanting well and grows new roots in soil quickly.

Do marigolds have a lifespan?

Marigolds are Tagetes, so this plant can live only a year.

How long does marigold take to grow?

This plant grows really quickly. It takes only 8 weeks to bloom after germinating. Sources: The New York Garden works under restricted procurement guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies and studies conducted by academic organizations. Tertiary references should be avoided. For more information on how we ensure our material is correct and up to date, please visit our editorial policy.

1. Marigolds - University of Minnesota
2. Marigolds - Clemson University