Marigold
Tagetes erecta
About it
- Kind
- Flowers · Annual
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Mature size
- to 2 ft × 15 in
- Blooms
- Jun–Oct
- Hardiness zones
- Zones 2–11
- Sun
- Full sun
- Spacing
- 10 in apart, rows 12 in
- Soil depth in a pot
- At least 6 in
- Soil pH
- 6–7
- Water
- About every 7 days
When to plant
- Ready
- About 55 days
Based on your last frost date. Outside the US, check local advice.
Planting partners
What has been claimed about growing Marigold near other plants, grouped by how well it has been tested. Most companion planting advice has never been tested; the notes say which is which.
Tested in field trials
- With Cabbage Marigolds planted with cabbage reduced cabbage loopers and imported cabbageworms. UMN Extension ↗
- With Cherry Tomato Marigolds planted with tomatoes reduced thrips on the tomatoes in field and greenhouse studies. UMN Extension ↗
- With Pumpkin In an Iowa study, marigolds planted with squash reduced damage from squash bugs and cucumber beetles. UMN Extension ↗
- With Tomato Marigolds planted with tomatoes reduced thrips on the tomatoes in field and greenhouse studies. UMN Extension ↗
- With Winter Squash In an Iowa study, marigolds planted with squash reduced damage from squash bugs and cucumber beetles. UMN Extension ↗
- With Zucchini In a Florida study, African marigolds planted with zucchini increased the natural enemies of aphids and slightly improved yield. UMN Extension ↗SARE ↗
- With Zucchini In an Iowa study, marigolds planted with squash reduced damage from squash bugs and cucumber beetles. UMN Extension ↗
Mixed evidence
- With plants of the cabbage family Marigolds are often planted to keep flea beetles off brassicas, but little research supports it and some contradicts it. UMN Extension ↗
Often said, but studies found no effect
- With Potato Marigolds are often recommended to keep Colorado potato beetles off potatoes, but several studies found they do not. UMN Extension ↗
Safety for pets and children
- Cats No information in our sources
- Dogs No information in our sources
- Horses No information in our sources
- Children No information in our sources
"No information" means our sources do not say, not that the plant is harmless. A non-toxic listing is not a reason to let anyone eat a plant.
Pests and diseases
No pest or disease notes for Marigold yet.
Check the label and your local extension service before using any product.
Where this comes from
- family npgsweb.ars-grin.gov ↗ GRIN page: Tagetes erecta L.
- Most facts NC State Extension ↗ Backfilled by 0041. Pre-0041 rows recorded one source for the whole row; per-field attribution was never captured and is not invented here.
- water frequency days Clemson HGIC ↗ Clemson HGIC "How to Grow and Care for Marigolds": "After establishment, marigolds grow well with about one inch of water per week." and "In the absence of adequate rainfall, water the soil deeply once a week, allowing it to dry somewhat between waterings."