“Almost December.   Indifferent 
to seasons     the marigolds
persist. I am surprised by their pluck
and lack of propriety
their ability to ignore 
the inappropriate: 
a rusted leaking window box
a shaky fire escape
leading to a cemented street
below. They do not mourn
that all good things must 
come to an end     and accept 
that end as fate or destiny. 
Instead      without struggle 
or assessment of soil
moisture    heat     air    they continue
blooming      in chilling winter light
exactly as they did all summer. ”

- Irena Klepfisz

If you're looking for a plant that's as cheerful as it is easy-going, look no further than the lovely marigold.

It's mid-October, and I'm pleasantly surprised by the bright, stubborn blooms of my marigolds. Even with the chill of fall creeping in and some close calls with frost, they stand tall, dancing in the breeze like they own the season.

In a world where everything feels a bit unpredictable, these marigolds offer a comforting constant. As other, more tender plants begin to wither, these marigolds just keep thriving. Outside, they dot my garden with cushions of gold. Inside, I have them in vases around my kitchen and drying in my pantry.

In recent years, it's the Hawaiian (or Aztec) marigolds that have truly caught my eye. These towering beauties have done more than just brighten up my yard; they've inspired me to explore new projects and tackle pesky garden challenges. They're like little whispers of encouragement, reminding me there's always room for creativity and resilience.

Read on to learn more about these resilient plants. I'll share what I've learned about nurturing them from seeds, keeping them thriving, and letting them surprise you as they have surprised me. Whether you're a gardening pro or just starting out, there's something magical about marigolds that I hope you'll experience too.

Major Marigold Species:

• Tagetes erecta (African, Aztec, or Hawaiian Marigold)
• Tagetes patula (French Marigold)
• Tagetes lucida (Mexican Tarragon)
• Tagetes sinufolia (Signet Marigold)

Native Regions:

• Mexico
• Central America

⮑ Wondering about pot marigold? That's actually Calendula officinalis, not a true marigold. Calendula is also great for regenerative gardens, though. Learn more about the benefits calendula here.

Here are two of the most important things to know about growing marigolds successfully:

1. How to Germinate Marigold (Tagetes spp.) Seeds

Problem: Marigold seeds not germinating?

Solution: It might be too cold

How-To: Start seeds indoors near a source of heat. I start mine on a shelf near my wood stove, but you can also start them near a heat vent or use electric heat mats made specifically for seed starting. Soil temperatures of 70-75°F are ideal.

Why: Since marigolds are native to warm areas, the warm temperatures let them know its spring and time to germinate.

2. Why Your Marigold Plants Are Leafy with Few or No Flowers

Problem: Marigold plants not blooming?

Solution: Marigolds are sun-loving plants.

How-To: If possible, transplant them to a full sun area of your garden.

Why: Similar to germination, marigolds are native to warmer areas and thrive in sunnier spots.

Source: UMN Extension

Growing Marigold from Seed: A Step-by-Step Guide‍


Step 1: Sow the Seeds Indoors in a Warm Spot

Plant the seeds in seed trays filled with a well-draining seed starting mix. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and place the trays under grow lights. Temperatures around 70 degrees F are ideal for germination success. Barely cover seeds, and lay them horizontally in the soil for best results.

Step 2: Germination and Early Growth

Marigold seeds usually take about 4-14 days to germinate. Monitor the trays and ensure they receive sufficient light and moisture for optimal growth.

Step 3: Transplant Seedlings Outdoors

Once the seedlings have a few sets of true leaves and the risk of frost has passed, start to harden them off.

Hardening off Schedule:

• Days 1+2: Place marigold seedlings in a shady spot for 4 hours in the warmest part of your day
• Days 3+4: Place marigold seedlings in a sunny spot for 2 hours in the late morning
• Days 5+6: Place marigold seedlings in a sunny spot for 4 hours from late morning through early afternoon
• Days 7+8: Place marigold seedlings in a sunny spot for 6-8 hours
• Days 9+10: Leave marigold seedlings in their container, but let them stay out in a protected spot for a full day and night
• Day 11 or 12: Transplant into a spot in full sun, water in well

Step 4: Monitor Leafy Growth

For their first few weeks, marigolds will focus on developing their root system and leaves. This stage is crucial for establishing a strong foundation for ongoing blooms later in the season.

Step 5: Delight in Their Color

In mid-late summer, marigolds will begin to produce flower buds and bloom. Expect vibrant orange or yellow flowers.

Step 6: Deadhead and prune for continual blooms

Enjoy the beautiful flowers and watch as they attract pollinators like bees and and other beneficial insects. Harvesting the flowers will help them to continue producing until your first hard frost.

Personal Experiences with Marigolds: Slugs + Germination Issues:

Marigolds + Slugs:

Dealing with slugs was a nightmare when I first started growing French marigolds. I remember stepping into the garden one morning, excited to see new blooms, only to find them covered with tiny, determined slugs. It felt like a losing battle—I tried relocating them, but nothing seemed to deter those little critters.

Frustrated but undeterred, I stumbled upon Hawaiian marigolds while researching botanical dyes. Their towering stature and extra-large blooms caught my eye. Unlike their shorter counterparts, these marigolds seemed out of reach for the slugs, who found the climb too daunting.

Some of my Hawaiian marigolds reach heights of 4 feet, far too tall for a slug to conquer. In contrast, my French marigolds only reach about a foot above ground—easily accessible to slugs.

Now, as I visit my various marigold clusters, I see bees diving into the crevices of the petals instead of slugs—a delightful sight. These marigolds often end up in bouquets, and once they fade, I dry them for use in my dye projects.

Germination Mistakes with Marigolds:

Another mistake I made with marigolds was thinking that the seeds would over-winter in my climate. I thought I could just scatter freshly dried seed heads around my garden and greenhouse in the fall, and I'd be graced with a slew of plants in the spring.

This never worked out for me, though.

I think this is likely due to my very wet winter climate where there are periods of freezing temperatures. Knowing that the ideal temperature for germination is a bit warmer, I think the seeds likely got oversaturated and froze before they had a chance to sprout.

This might not be true for you, though - if you're in USDA growing zones 9 and above, I'd think that your seeds would overwinter successfully, since this matches the climate of Mexico.

Helpful Tips and Tricks for Marigold Care

Preparing Marigold Seeds for Planting

Can I just scatter marigold seeds?

Yes, you can scatter marigold seeds onto the ground in spring once you're certain you're clear of frosts. However, germination rates can be spotty in this way, as wildlife and other environmental factors like heavy rains can dislodge your seeds. If you do scatter them, take some time to press them into the soil and maybe lightly scatter some compost over them to keep them in place.

If you’re just starting out, sowing them indoors in seed trays might give you better results. I’ve tried both methods and found that regardless of the method, I get better results when marigold seeds are slightly buried in the soil.

What month is best to plant marigold?

Marigolds, being native to Mexico and Central America, love warm weather. Plant them anytime in the spring when daytime temperatures are consistently around 60 degrees and nighttime temperatures are above freezing.

Sun or shade?

Suns out, blooms out, as the marigolds say.

Are marigolds easy to start from seed?

Yes, they are a great plant to grow for beginner gardeners! 

Germination and Growth

How long does it take to grow marigold from seed?
Germination: 4-14 days
Time to first bloom: 70-90 days (French Marigolds are quicker to bloom compared to Tagetes erecta cultivars)

Do marigolds come back every year?

Typically, no. Marigolds are annuals, which means they die back each year. Since they like warm weather, they likely won't self-sow unless you're in a warmer growing zone - most of Mexico, where marigolds are native, are in USDA growing zones 9 and above.

However, you can save seeds from the plants to sow next spring.

Lifecycle and Maintenance

Can you take cuttings from marigold?

Yes! I found this out by accident this past year. One of my marigold plants had a stem snap off early in the summer. On a whim, I stuck the stem into some soil in a grow bag nearby. To my surprise, it continued to grow, and create side stems and multiple blooms over the course of the growing season. Since marigolds are annuals, you'd have to take cuttings early in the season - probably by June or so - to get blooms to form on your cuttings. Like any other marigolds, they'll die back in the winter.

Ecological Benefits

Companion planting with marigold:

Marigolds are famous in permaculture and other organic gardening practices for their ability to fend off pests and improve the soil microbiome.

• Marigolds + Tomatoes: 
  • ‍Marigolds produce certain chemicals and root exudates that kill off the Root Knot Nematode, which can greatly hinder tomato crops.
  • ‍Researchers at the University of Hawai'i found that Tagetes patula ‘Single Gold’ works best for this purpose.
  • ‍In this 2019 study, marigold was determined to be an eco-friendly nematicide alternative to more environmentally damaging pesticides.
  • Marigolds also protect tomatoes from whiteflies, according to this study from Newcastle University.
• Marigolds + Tobacco:
  • Marigolds make a great companion plant for tobacco, preventing instances of bacterial wilt.
• Marigolds + Apples, Pears:
  • French marigolds, among other plants, brought in beneficial insects to reduce populations of Eurasian moth pests in fruit orchards.
  • Another study found French marigold to reduce aphid populations in apple orchards.
• Marigolds + Soil Health:
  • Marigolds are associated with a higher diversity of beneficial bacteria and fungi in the soil, as noted in this study published in Scientific Reports.
  • This can reduce soil-borne disease in crops organically.‍
  • Scientists suggest intercropping apple orchards with marigolds to improve the health of the surrounding soil.

Benefits of marigolds in the ecosystem:

Marigolds are a great way to attract beneficial insects into your backyard! In my garden, marigolds are often visited by ladybugs and bees. I've watched, fascinated, while honey bees dive into the golden centers, ensuring pollination. I've even seen a bumblebee take a nap on a marigold! These interactions create a balanced ecosystem, where marigolds not only thrive but help maintain the health of other plants around them.

Here's what you might see hovering around your plants:

• ladybugs
• syrphid flies
• bumblebees
• honey bees
• parasitic wasps
• big-eyed bugs
• spiders

Source: Sacramento SWQP, Utah State University Extension, USDA NM

Resiliency and Ease - Marigolds are a must for any garden

Some final thoughts on marigold. Its innate qualities of resilience, regeneration, remediation, and resourcefulness all showcase nature's ability to adapt and thrive, while also still providing so much for the surrounding ecosystem.

✓ Adaptive: Marigolds thrive even in challenging conditions

✓ Organic Pest Control: The naturally fend off pests such as root knot nematodes and whiteflies

✓ Regenerates the Soil: Encourage beneficial bacteria and fungi in the soil to improve soil health

✓ Attracts Beneficial Insects: From ladybugs to bumblebees, you'll attract a range of helpful bugs into your home habitat

✓ Gorgeous: Have you seen the large blooms on some of the Aztec varieties or pinks and reds on some of the French cultivars? They're stunning!

✓ Crafty: Flowers can lend themselves to dye projects or dried and fresh flower arrangements

✓ Easy: Marigolds are great for beginner gardeners - they're generally very simple to grow

✓ Culturally Significant: Marigolds hold cultural and spiritual importance in Mexico, Central America, and India

All in all, marigolds are a lovely addition to any organic garden, blooming with beauty, resilience, and ecological benefits.