Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, marigolds are a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing marigolds.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Do Marigolds Belong To?
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) belong to the Asteraceae family, also known as the daisy family.
Some of their relatives include lettuce, gaillardia, and chamomile.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Marigolds?
The minimum container depth recommended for marigolds depends on the type and variety.
For French marigolds, the minimum depth is 6 inches.
For Mexican and African marigolds, the minimum depth is 10 inches.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Marigolds?
Marigolds are great companions for most plants, and they are some of the best-known pollinator magnets and nematode repellents. This is not an exhaustive list, but some of marigolds' very best companions are as follows:
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Marigolds?
Still, marigolds are not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with marigolds are as follows:
- Beans like green beans
- Cauliflower, cabbage, and other Brassicas, as marigolds attract cabbage moths.
What Soil Conditions Do Marigolds Need?
Marigolds need well-draining, loamy soil. They can adapt to various soil fertility levels, but they prefer soil that is moderately rich.
How Long Do Marigolds Take to Germinate?
Marigolds take 5-10 days to germinate at a temperature of 70-80°F.
How Much Sun Do Marigolds Need?
Marigolds need full sun.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and marigolds grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need light shade.
How Much Water Do Marigolds Need?
Marigolds need 1.5 inches of water per week.
It is best to provide this through 1 deep watering session per week. Actual frequency will vary based on weather and growing conditions. See our How Often to Water Plants article here for more information.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Marigolds?
Marigolds grow fastest in temperatures of 65-80°F.
This is their ideal temperature range. Although they will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some marigold varieties are bred for later harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Do Marigolds Get?
The average height of marigolds is 6 to 36 inches.
Are Marigolds Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Some marigolds are annual, meaning that they start and end their lives in the same year.
Other marigolds are perennial, meaning that they live for longer than a couple years.
How Do Marigolds Reproduce?
Marigolds reproduce by seed.
How Many Marigolds Are Produced Per Plant?
For marigolds, how many are produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and variety.
Most marigolds produce 1 flower and several leaves per stalk. Each seed planted produces a stalk.
Can Marigolds Be Ingested?
Marigold flowers and leaves are edible.
Marigold flowers and leaves have anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a marigold tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting marigold leaves or flowers.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of marigolds rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for marigolds here!
Marigolds are featured in these Plant to Plate articles: