How to grow Marigold
Updated October 2026
Marigolds are cheerful, easy annuals in yellow, orange and red that bloom from spring until frost if deadheaded. They are a vegetable-garden favorite for edging beds and drawing pollinators, and French marigolds worked into the soil after frost can help deter root-knot nematodes.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Marigold
Not to be confused with: Garden marigolds (Tagetes) are different from calendula, or pot marigold, which is a cool-season edible flower.
Where to plant
Marigolds need full sun to flower well, though African marigolds appreciate a little afternoon shade in hot climates. Grow them in average, well-drained, evenly moist soil; very rich soil gives leaves at the expense of flowers. They tolerate dry spells once established and are seldom bothered by deer.
In Florida and along the Gulf Coast, the calendar on this page shows plantings from fall through spring. Elsewhere, plant after the last frost for flowers until fall.
Choosing a variety
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| French marigold (Tagetes patula) | Compact, 6 to 12 inches, single or double flowers in red, orange and yellow; good for edging and containers, and the type used against nematodes |
| African marigold (T. erecta) | Tall, 1 to 4 feet, with big pompom flowers; may need staking; some varieties such as 'Antigua' resist fusarium wilt |
How to plant
- Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, or sow directly once the soil is warm.
- Plant out after the last frost, spacing French types 6 to 12 inches apart and African types 1 to 2 feet apart.
- Pinch young plants once to make them bushier.
- Plant tall varieties out of strong wind, or stake them.
Watering and feeding
Water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry, which reduces disease, and let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Go easy on fertilizer.
Pruning and care through the year
- Deadhead spent flowers regularly to keep blooms coming; on African marigolds, heavy old flower heads can also snap stems.
- To use French marigolds against root-knot nematodes, chop the plants up after frost and work them into the soil.
- The sap can cause a rash on sensitive skin, so wear gloves when handling a lot of plants.
Harvesting
Cut flowers for vases as needed; cutting also acts as deadheading. NC State notes that the flowers of French marigold are used to make drinks and the leaves for flavoring.
Growing in pots
Compact French marigolds are ideal for pots, window boxes and the edges of raised beds.
Companion planting
Marigolds are a classic vegetable-garden companion, mainly because their flowers bring in pollinators and beneficial insects. French marigolds also have a documented use against root-knot nematodes when worked into the soil.
Good companions
- Tomato A traditional pairing; marigolds along the bed edge bring in pollinators.
- Bush beans Low marigolds fit between bean rows and attract beneficial insects.
- Bell pepper Shares the same warm-season timing and sunny bed.
- Eggplant Another warm-season crop that benefits from pollinators.
- Cucumber Flowers draw pollinators that cucumbers need to set fruit.
- Squash Draws pollinators to squash, zucchini and pumpkin.
Pests and diseases
Marigolds are tough, but hot, dry weather brings spider mites, and wet conditions bring rots.
Pests to watch for
- Spider mites Dull, speckled leaves and fine webbing in hot, dry weather.
- Thrips Streaked, distorted flowers and leaves.
- Slugs Chewed seedlings and young plants after damp nights.
Diseases to watch for
- Powdery mildew White powdery coating on leaves.
- Botrytis Gray mold on flowers in damp weather; deadhead and space plants well.
- Root rot Plants collapse in wet, poorly drained soil.
Common questions
Do marigolds really keep pests away?
Their best documented use is against root-knot nematodes: NC State advises chopping French marigolds into the soil after frost to help deter them. Their flowers also bring in pollinators and beneficial insects.
How do I keep marigolds blooming?
Deadhead spent flowers regularly, give them full sun, and avoid heavy fertilizer, which gives leaves instead of flowers.
When should I plant marigolds?
After the last frost, or start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before. In Florida and along the Gulf Coast, spring and fall plantings do best.
Are marigolds edible?
NC State notes French marigold flowers are used for drinks and the leaves for flavoring. Do not confuse them with calendula, the pot marigold. The sap can irritate skin.
Why are my marigolds dying in summer?
Spider mites in hot, dry weather and rots in wet, poorly drained soil are the usual causes.
Sources we checked: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Tagetes patula; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Tagetes erecta.
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