Marigold
Tagetes
Marigold blooms from May through October.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Marigold
Plant it in full sun. It prefers moderate water. Expect it to reach about 12 in tall and 12 in wide at maturity, in roughly 1 year.
When to plant Marigold
Wait until all danger of frost has passed, then plant out Marigold into warm soil; in most zones that means late spring. Planted then, it flowers from May to October.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar.
Comes in 10 varieties across 3 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Marigold
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
True marigold's sap can cause phototoxic skin irritation: cell sap plus sunlight can redden, burn or blister sensitive skin (thiophene compounds). Wear gloves if your skin reacts. per NC State
Worth knowing
One chemistry explains three traits: the thiophenes (alpha-terthienyl) the roots exude to suppress nematodes also cause the skin irritation and the scent that deters deer. per NC State and University of Florida
Is marigold toxic?
The reassuring 'non-toxic to pets' listing is Calendula (pot marigold), a different plant. True Tagetes marigold is a low-severity skin irritant; marsh marigold (Caltha) is toxic if eaten. per ASPCA and NC State
Fights root-knot nematodes in soil
French marigold (T. patula), grown as a dense solid stand for a full season before the crop, suppresses root-knot nematodes; a few tucked among vegetables does not. per University of Florida and Journal of Nematology
Single flowers feed pollinators
Open single and signet marigolds give bees and butterflies real nectar; dense fully-double pompoms convert stamens to petals and bury the nectar, so pollinators reach little. per NC State and Xerces
Three garden marigold types
French (T. patula) is small and bushy; African or American (T. erecta) is tall with big double pompoms; signet (T. tenuifolia) is mounded with many tiny single flowers. per NC State and University of Florida
Spider mites and gray mold
Spider mites are the top pest in hot, dry weather (stippled, yellowing leaves and fine webbing); Botrytis gray mold rots the blooms in cool, wet, humid spells. per Clemson and NC State
What pairs well with Marigold
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Sneezeweed
Shares full sun and moderate water; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; both offer pollinator forage; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Perennial Sunflower
Shares full sun and moderate water; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; both offer pollinator forage; taller at 4.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Globe Thistle
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; both offer pollinator forage; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Rosemary
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; opens in early spring and overlaps into this one's season; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; both offer pollinator forage.
Hyacinth
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; lower at 10 in, for the front of the border; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Grape Hyacinth
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Lilac
Shares full sun and moderate water; opens in mid spring and overlaps into this one's season; stands well above at 9.8 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; purple against orange, for contrast.
Lavender
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; both offer pollinator forage; purple against orange, for contrast.
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