Growing Guides

Marigold

Marigold (Tagetes) is a bright, easy-to-grow annual flower that is perfect for garden beds, borders, and containers. It is valued for long-lasting blooms in yellow, orange, and gold shades, as well as its strong garden performance in warm weather. Marigolds are widely used in ornamental plantings and are also popular in companion planting layouts around vegetables and herbs.
These flowers are beginner-friendly, germinate quickly, and bloom continuously from summer into fall when spent flowers are removed regularly. Marigolds grow best in full sun and well-drained soil.
In addition to their decorative value, marigolds are often planted to attract pollinators and beneficial insects in home gardens.

How to grow Marigold from seeds:

• Sowing: Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Sow seeds about 1/4" deep in loose, well-drained soil. Keep soil lightly moist until germination.
• Plant Spacing: 8–12" for French marigolds; 10–18" for larger African marigolds, depending on variety size.
• Growing of Marigold: Marigolds prefer warm conditions and plenty of sunlight. Water at the base of the plant and avoid overwatering. Remove faded blooms (deadheading) regularly to encourage continuous flowering through the season.
• Marigold Soil Requirements: Moderately fertile, well-drained soil; avoid constantly wet soil.
• Marigold Seeds Days to Germination: Typically 5–10 days (can vary to about 14 days depending on temperature and conditions).
• Light Preference of Marigold: Full Sun (at least 6 hours daily for best bloom performance).
• Life Cycle of Marigold: Annual.
• How and When to Harvest Marigold: For cut flowers, harvest when blooms are fully open and stems are firm, preferably in the cool part of the day. For continuous garden color, remove spent flowers weekly to promote new buds.
• Marigold Days to Maturity: About 50–70 days from seed, depending on variety and growing conditions.
• Marigold Seed Saving: Leave healthy blooms on the plant until flower heads dry fully. Collect dry seed heads, separate seeds from debris, and store in a cool, dry place in labeled paper envelopes for next season.

FAST FACTS:

• Common Names: Marigold, French Marigold, African Marigold, Signet Marigold
• Latin Name: Tagetes spp. (commonly Tagetes patula / Tagetes erecta)
• Species Origin: Mexico and Central America
• Type: Open Pollinated, Annual Flower
• Life Cycle: Annual
• USDA Zones: Grown as an annual in all zones
• Seeds per Ounce: Varies by variety (approx. 8,000–12,000)
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height: 8" to 36" (variety-dependent)
• Color: Yellow, Orange, Gold, Red-Orange, Bicolor
• Uses: Ornamental beds, borders, containers, companion planting, cut flowers