50 Species in Genus Tagetes – Marigolds

I always thought marigolds were perennials because I’d see them pop up year after year in my grandma’s garden. Turns out, she must have gotten lucky with some self-seeding varieties! Now that I’m planting my own flowers, I learned most marigolds are annuals. It was a bit disappointing, but on the bright side, they’re so easy to grow from seed that I can basically have a never-ending supply of sunshine in my garden every summer.

You have some great options for finding marigolds:
Garden Centers and Nurseries: This is the classic spot! You’ll likely find the widest selection of marigold varieties, from compact dwarf kinds to giant, showy blooms. Plus, you can get advice from the staff.
Farmers Markets: Local farmers often sell beautiful and healthy marigold seedlings in the spring. You’ll be supporting small businesses too!
Home Improvement Stores: They usually have a decent selection of marigolds in their gardening sections – they’re easy to find!
Online Retailers: Online seed catalogs and plant shops offer tons of choices, including some rarer marigold varieties. Just be sure to calculate shipping costs!

Marigolds definitely help deter deer, which is why I always include them throughout my garden beds! Their pungent smell throws the deer off, making them steer clear of my more precious flowers and veggies. It’s not a fool-proof solution though. I’ve heard stories of hungry deer sometimes munching them if they’re desperate enough. Luckily, most of the time the marigolds do their job and keep my prized plants safe.

This one always worries me a bit since I have two curious cats who love to explore my backyard! I’ve learned that it depends on the variety. Pot marigolds are generally safe, but some of the other marigold types can cause stomach upset in cats if they nibble on them. To be on the safe side, I keep the marigolds in raised beds or tall containers, making them hard for my little furballs to reach.

This one always worries me a bit since I have two curious cats who love to explore my backyard! I’ve learned that it depends on the variety. Pot marigolds are generally safe, but some of the other marigold types can cause stomach upset in cats if they nibble on them. To be on the safe side, I keep the marigolds in raised beds or tall containers, making them hard for my little furballs to reach.

Absolutely! I love planting marigolds in the hottest, sunniest spots in my garden. They absolutely thrive in full sun, and that’s when I notice them blooming with the most vibrant colors. Sometimes they can tolerate a touch of partial shade, especially in really hot climates, but overall, the sunnier, the better for marigolds. It’s almost like watching the sun fuel their little bursts of yellow and orange.

I’ve noticed bees are definitely drawn to marigolds! There always seem to be a few buzzing around when my marigold plants are in full bloom. I think it’s a combination of the bright color attracting them and the sweet nectar the flowers offer. It’s really satisfying to know that my choice of flowers is not only brightening up the yard but also providing a little pit stop for the busy bees.

Sadly, I’ve battled my fair share of pests enjoying a marigold feast. The worst offenders in my garden have been slugs and snails. Those slimy critters seem to leave trails across my leaves overnight and can munch some pretty big holes. I’ve also dealt with aphids – those tiny sap-sucking bugs can really do a number on the plants. Oh, and sometimes rabbits decide to nibble, but not as often as the creepy crawlies!

Yes, chickens actually enjoy marigolds! Not only are they safe for chickens to snack on, but they can even be beneficial. Marigolds contain nutrients that are good for them, and the bright yellow petals can make their egg yolks more vibrant! I sometimes toss some fresh blossoms or dried, crumbled petals into their feed as a little treat. The addition of color is always a fun surprise when cracking open the eggs.

Sadly, the old myth about marigolds repelling rabbits doesn’t really hold up in my experience. I used to think the strong smell might deter the furry munchers, but I’ve seen them nibble right past blooming marigold plants! Bunnies have caused some major headaches in my garden, and it seems they aren’t put off by the cheery flowers. Fencing has been the only truly effective way to keep them away from my plants.

Marigolds are pretty forgiving, but the watering frequency depends on a few things. In my experience, here’s a good rule of thumb:
Established Plants: A good, deep watering once or twice a week does the trick, especially in warm weather. The goal is to moisten the soil a few inches down, but avoid making it soggy.
Pots and Containers: These dry out faster, so I often need to water them every other day – sometimes even daily during a heatwave.
Check the Soil: The finger test is the best way! Stick your finger an inch or two into the soil – if it feels dry, it’s definitely time to water.

Marigolds hold a fascinating mixture of meanings across different cultures. For me, they’ve always symbolized the vibrant joy of summer. But beyond that, they have deeper symbolism:
Sun and Warmth: Their bright colors represent the warmth of the sun and are often associated with positive energy and optimism.
Passion and Creativity: The fiery red and orange hues can symbolize passion, creativity, and determination.
Grief and Remembrance: In some cultures, especially within Mexican traditions for Dia de Los Muertos, marigolds connect to grief, remembrance, and honoring those who have passed.
It’s amazing how a simple flower can carry such profound and varied meanings!

There are a few suspects to investigate when your marigolds start looking poorly:
Watering Issues: Both under and overwatering can be culprits. Check the soil – too dry or too soggy are common causes of plant trouble. Adjust your watering schedule accordingly!
Diseases: Fungal diseases like root rot or blight can attack marigolds, especially in damp conditions. Watch for wilting, brown spots, and mushy stems.
Pests: Aphids, spider mites, or slugs and snails can wreak havoc on your marigolds. They suck the sap, weaken the plant, and can spread disease.
Too Much Shade: Marigolds adore the sun! If they’re not getting enough light, they’ll start to struggle.
End of Season: Remember, most marigolds are annuals, so they naturally die off after their bloom cycle finishes.
Do some detective work and see if you can pinpoint the likely cause for your marigolds’ distress!

While marigolds are pretty tough, they really do prefer to soak up the sun. They’ll tolerate a bit of partial shade, especially in really hot climates where the afternoon sun can be brutal. But if you plant them in full shade, expect them to get leggy, produce fewer flowers, and be more susceptible to pests and diseases. For the happiest, healthiest marigolds, those sunny spots are the way to go!

Hummingbirds don’t typically go crazy for marigolds like they do for some other flowers. Marigolds don’t produce as much of the sweet nectar that hummingbirds crave, and their flower shape isn’t the easiest for those tiny beaks to access.
However, that doesn’t mean hummingbirds will totally ignore your marigolds! If there aren’t many other options around, they might still take a sip. Plus, marigolds attract insects, which hummingbirds also love to snack on. So, while it might not be their first choice, marigolds can still play a role in attracting hummingbirds to your garden.

Marigolds are surprisingly tough, but they definitely aren’t fans of the cold. They can handle light frosts, maybe down to about 40°F (around 4°C), but anything colder will start causing damage. Prolonged freezes are a death sentence for most marigold varieties. It’s best to think of them as warm-weather lovers who thrive in the heat and sunshine.

When planting marigolds using the square foot gardening method, the recommendation is to plant up to 4 marigold plants per square foot. This works best with compact, dwarf types of marigolds. If you’re using larger varieties, you might want to stick with 2-3 plants per square foot to avoid overcrowding.

In my garden, marigolds tend to have a more vibrant, fiery hue compared to the softer, more delicate tones of calendulas, and while both are great for adding color, marigolds have a sturdier, bushier presence that I find more reliable for longer-lasting blooms.

I’ve found that marigolds are a much more pleasant choice than ragweed; the latter’s aggressive growth and tendency to spread made my allergies flare up, whereas marigolds provided a cheerful burst of color without the sneezing fits.

Carnations bring a certain elegance to the garden with their frilly petals, but I prefer marigolds for their low-maintenance nature and constant blooms—plus, the marigolds’ vibrant orange and yellow tones always seem to brighten up my garden more than the more subdued carnations.

Chrysanthemums are stunning and come in a variety of colors, but I’ve had better luck with marigolds in terms of overall hardiness and ease of care; marigolds bloom more consistently in my garden, while chrysanthemums sometimes seem to struggle with pests and weather changes.

Marigolds and cempasuchil, or Mexican marigolds, are quite similar, but cempasuchil has a more traditional significance in Day of the Dead celebrations; while I love the look of both, cempasuchil’s deep cultural connection adds a layer of meaning that marigolds alone don’t offer.

Marigolds definitely outshine mustard plants in terms of ornamental appeal; mustard’s yellow flowers are nice, but they don’t hold a candle to the bright, consistent blooms of marigolds that really make my garden pop.

Peonies are beautiful with their large, fragrant blooms, but marigolds are more reliable for constant color throughout the growing season; peonies, though stunning, tend to have shorter bloom periods and require a bit more attention.

While pot marigolds are charming with their cheerful, daisy-like flowers, I’ve found regular marigolds to be more resilient and forgiving; pot marigolds are lovely for container gardens, but in my experience, marigolds handle garden conditions better and provide a more robust display.

Sunflowers make a bold statement with their towering height and large blooms, but I appreciate marigolds more for their versatility and ability to provide a steady, cheerful presence throughout the growing season; sunflowers are great for a dramatic effect, but marigolds are my go-to for reliable, continuous color.

Marigold and Midas are both striking, but I’ve found that Midas, while unique, doesn’t quite have the consistent blooming power of marigolds; marigolds offer a more dependable display and blend well with a variety of other plants in my garden.