How to grow Marigold

At a glance

🌱 Grow your Marigold with GardenDex

• Reminders to water it, timed to your weather and whether it's in a pot
• Frost and disease alerts for your garden, the night before
• Follow it from seed to harvest, and see what your garden grew in $
• Point your camera at any plant or bug to identify it

🗓️ When to plant

Sow directly outdoors or start indoors after the last frost in spring, or plant seedlings once soil has warmed. They thrive in warm weather and will flower until the first frost.

🌰 How to plant

1. Sow seeds 5 mm (¼ in) deep directly into soil or into seed trays indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost.
2. Space seedlings 30–45 cm (12–18 in) apart once they have true leaves.
3. Choose a full-sun location with well-draining soil.
4. Water gently after planting and keep soil consistently moist until established.

💧 Care

• Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.
• Pinch growing tips when plants are young to promote bushier, fuller growth.
• Water at the base of plants in early morning to prevent fungal issues.
• Fertilize every 4–6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer, or use compost for gentle feeding.
• Marigolds are heat and drought-tolerant once established; reduce watering in dry spells.

🧺 Harvest

Enjoy marigolds fresh in vases by cutting stems in the early morning when blooms are fully open. Deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming, or allow flowers to dry on the plant for seed saving.

🐛 Common problems

Spider mites: Spray leaves with water or use insecticidal soap if infestation is heavy, ensuring good air circulation.

Powdery mildew: Improve air flow around plants and avoid overhead watering; remove affected leaves if needed.

Root rot: Ensure soil drains well and avoid overwatering, which is the primary cause.

🤝 Companion plants

💚 Good neighbours: Tomatoes, Beans, Cucumbers, Nasturtiums

⚠️ Keep apart from: Fennel, Dill

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