If you’ve spent any time here, you probably already know I love marigolds. After all, what other flower delivers so much beauty and pest-repelling power, asks so little in return, and generously offers up its seeds year after year—almost without effort?
They were one of the first flowers I ever grew—guided by my grandmother’s patient hands and a paper bag full of seeds. All these years later, I’m still growing marigolds, now with my own children by my side. It’s become a generational rhythm—planting, picking, and saving seeds together—that makes gardening just a little bit more special.
And truly, there’s a lot to love about marigolds. They’re resilient and rewarding, bursting into bloom with very little fuss. They attract pollinators, repel pests, and offer up their seeds generously at the end of the season. Whether you’re filling a border, a container, or just a few small pots on the patio, marigolds are as practical as they are beautiful.
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything I’ve learned—from how to start marigolds from seed, to growing them in containers, to harvesting your own seed for next year’s garden. So grab a trowel and a handful of seeds. Let’s grow something golden together.
Types of Marigolds
There’s a marigold for every gardener. Whether you’re growing for color, scent, pollinators, or pest control, choosing the right variety can make all the difference.
French Marigolds (Tagetes patula)
These compact plants are perfect for containers and borders. With richly colored blooms ranging from golden yellow to deep mahogany, French marigolds are some of the best choices for companion planting. Their dense growth and strong scent make them excellent for deterring pests in the vegetable garden.
African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta)
Also known as American marigolds, these are the big bloomers of the bunch. Their tall stems and large pom-pom flowers make a bold statement in the garden. These thrive in full sun and can reach heights of 2–3 feet, making them great for back-of-the-bed color.
Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia)
Smaller and more delicate, Signet marigolds offer a light citrusy scent and fine, fern-like foliage. They’re edible, too—the cheerful single blooms make a lovely garnish for salads or summer drinks.
Mexican Marigolds (Tagetes lucida)
Grown for centuries in ritual and herbal traditions, Mexican marigolds offer both beauty and utility. With clusters of small yellow-orange flowers and a sweet anise-like scent, they’re a favorite for Day of the Dead altars and make a flavorful addition to teas and infusions.
Sowing Marigold Seeds
One of the many reasons marigolds are so beloved—besides their vibrant color and resilience—is how incredibly easy they are to start from seed. Whether you’re working with a sprawling garden bed or a single container on the porch, planting marigold seeds is a breeze.
Start by sowing seeds directly into the soil once the danger of frost has passed. Choose a sunny location—marigolds love full sun and bloom best with at least 6 hours of direct light per day. If you're starting seeds indoors, aim to sow them 6–8 weeks before your last expected frost date.
Loosen the soil and scatter seeds about ½ inch apart, then gently cover them with a thin layer of soil. Water carefully so you don’t wash the seeds away—just enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. With warm soil and steady moisture, marigold seeds often sprout within 5–7 days, sometimes even sooner.
Once the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to give each plant some breathing room—about 6–12 inches apart for most varieties. African marigolds, with their larger, bushier habit, should be spaced at least 12–18 inches apart to allow for full, healthy growth without overcrowding.
Growing Marigolds in Containers
Marigolds thrive in containers, making them ideal for small-space gardeners, patio planters, or anyone wanting to add a splash of color to their porch. Choose a container with good drainage and fill it with quality potting mix. A pot at least 10–12 inches wide and deep will support most varieties, while larger African marigolds may appreciate even more room.
All these years later, I’m still planting mine in a whiskey barrel—just like my grandmother did. That unmistakable marigold scent mingled with the charred oak of the barrel brings back a flood of childhood memories every time I water them. And now, my own children help me tend those same blooms. Some traditions are just too special not to pass down.
Marigold Care and Maintenance
Marigolds are famously unfussy, but a little attention goes a long way in keeping them blooming their best. Once seedlings are established, water regularly, aiming to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. They’re fairly drought-tolerant once mature, especially the French and Mexican types, but container-grown plants will need more frequent watering.
Deadheading spent blooms is the real secret to prolonged flowering. Snipping off faded flowers encourages new buds to form, keeping your garden bursting with color right through summer and into fall.
Marigolds don’t need much in the way of fertilizer—too much nitrogen can actually lead to more leaves and fewer flowers. A light feeding with a balanced fertilizer midseason is plenty.
Whether they’re growing in the ground or in your favorite container, marigolds are the kind of plant that rewards even casual care with generous beauty.
How to Save Marigold Seeds
Saving seeds from marigolds is one of the simplest—and most satisfying—gardening tasks. These plants practically hand you their future generations, wrapped up in tidy bundles at the base of each faded bloom.
As the flowers begin to dry and turn brown, you’ll notice the seed heads forming. Wait until the heads are fully dry and papery before harvesting. Gently pinch or snip the base of the spent bloom and pull it apart—you’ll find a neat cluster of slender, black-and-white seeds tucked inside, like tiny paintbrush bristles.
Spread the seeds out on a plate or paper towel for a few days to ensure they’re fully dry. Then tuck them into a paper envelope, label them, and store in a cool, dry place until spring.
It’s a simple ritual, but one that carries on a legacy—whether it’s your own, or one passed down from someone you love. I still remember collecting marigold seeds with my grandmother as a little girl. Perhaps in another thirty years, I'll be doing the same with my grandchildren.
Marigolds as Companion Plants
Marigolds aren’t just pretty—they’re powerhouses in the vegetable garden, quietly protecting your crops while adding vibrant color to the beds. Generations of gardeners have planted marigolds alongside vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, carrots, and beans, and recent science backs up what our grandmothers already knew.
Tomatoes and Melons: A study published in Plant Disease (2002) demonstrated that planting marigolds prior to tomatoes and melons reduced the incidence of root-knot nematodes, and increased crop yields by over 50 percent.
Carrots: Research in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that volatile compounds released by marigolds can suppress carrot root fly populations, especially when interplanted closely.
Cowpeas: A study published in Vegetos (2014) found that interplanting marigolds with cowpeas significantly reduced nematode infestations, resulting in healthier roots and improved yields.
Cucumbers: A 2022 field study in Nigeria found that interplanting African marigolds with cucumbers significantly reduced populations of major insect pests, including flea beetles, cucumber beetles, leaf beetles, and melon fruit flies. Notably, planting marigolds two weeks before cucumbers yielded the most substantial pest suppression and enhanced cucumber growth and yield.
The science backs up what gardeners have known for centuries: marigolds work wonders. And as someone who loves a practical flower as much as a beautiful one, I appreciate that they do double duty—adding vibrant color while supporting the health of the entire garden.
Common Questions About Marigolds
Do deer eat marigolds?
Marigolds are often listed among deer-resistant plants, and many gardeners report that deer tend to avoid them—especially the strongly scented Tagetes erecta (African marigolds). That said, “deer-resistant” isn’t the same as “deer-proof.” If food is scarce, deer will sample just about anything, marigolds included.
Do marigolds keep rabbits away?
This one falls firmly into the category of garden folklore. Some gardeners swear by marigolds as a rabbit deterrent, especially the pungent varieties. But there’s no solid research to back it up, and we've seen curious bunnies nibble marigold petals like salad mix. Still, they may help when combined with other strategies like fencing or companion planting with more bitter herbs.
Do marigolds come back every year?
Most marigolds are annuals, meaning they grow, bloom, and set seed in a single season. But if you let them go to seed, they often reseed themselves—especially in warmer climates. We’ve had plenty of surprise marigold volunteers pop up the following spring, and we’re not complaining.
How long does it take for marigolds to bloom?
Marigolds are speedy growers. From the time you sow the seeds, you can expect to see blooms in 6 to 8 weeks—sometimes even faster with dwarf French types. Start them indoors to enjoy blooms earlier in the season.
Can you grow marigolds indoors?
You can, but they do best with plenty of sun. A bright, south-facing window may do the trick for dwarf varieties, or you can supplement with grow lights. Just be sure to provide good air circulation and avoid overwatering, as indoor conditions can invite fungal issues.
Final Thoughts
It could simply be nostalgia, but for this gardener, there’s just something special about marigolds—their bold color, their earthy scent, the way they happily bloom without asking much in return. They’re the kind of flower that makes you feel like a gardener, even when you’re just getting started. Whether you're tucking them among your tomatoes, planting them with your kids, or saving seeds like your grandma once did, marigolds always find a way to make themselves at home.
Want to bring a little marigold magic to your own garden?
Take a peek at our French Marigolds or browse the Marigold Companions Collection for flowers that are just as practical as they are pretty.
Leave a comment (all fields required)