Annual flowers are sometimes more trouble than they’re worth. Since the plants are going to die at the end of the season, is there really a point in bothering? The answer is: Yes, especially if you choose the right annuals. Unfussy and uncomplicated, marigolds are the perfect garden companion. They’re well suited to ornamental landscaping, container growing, and even vegetable gardens (and the flowers of some varieties are edible). Marigolds are also available in many varieties and colors, and prefer full-sun conditions. These low-maintenance flowers don’t need much looking after, either. Here are a few other persuasive reasons why marigolds deserve a permanent spot in your garden.
1. Marigolds Are Super Hardy
Annual flowers can be tricky to grow because they typically require a lot of attention, including frequent watering. Most marigold varieties, however, are drought tolerant—you won’t have to fret about your flower patch when a heat wave rolls in. Once established, the hardy flowers can handle temperature fluctuations and tend to bloom well into the fall. They are often the last variety to die off at the end of the gardening season.
Unlike other ornamentals that require gardeners to source bulbs or stratify seeds, marigolds are easy to grow from seed. Some marigold varieties also readily self-seed, so you can enjoy a new crop of flowers in the spring without putting in much work. If you want to prevent your marigold flowers from self-seeding, deadhead the plants before they have the chance to spread their seed. Marigolds also grow well in containers, so you can enjoy gorgeous, colorful ornamentals whether you have a large garden plot or a few containers on a balcony.
I’ve always loved how marigolds just seem to thrive no matter what. Last summer, I forgot to water my container marigolds for a week during a heat wave, and they still looked vibrant. If you’re starting out, go for varieties like French marigolds, which are tough as nails. A quick tip: plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in well-drained soil, and you’ll see sprouts in 5-10 days. For containers, make sure your pots have drainage holes—marigolds hate soggy roots. I learned this the hard way when I overwatered a pot and lost a few plants. Also, if you’re on a budget, a packet of marigold seeds costs around $2-5 and can give you dozens of plants, way cheaper than buying seedlings.
2. They Attract Pollinators
Pollinators like bees and butterflies are vital to our ecosystems. Choosing to plant flowers like marigolds ensures nearby pollinators have a readily available food source. If you’re a vegetable gardener, pollinators are essential for growing edibles like squash and tomatoes. Keep in mind that pollinators prefer food that’s within easy reach. When selecting marigolds for a pollinator garden, opt for varieties with open centers such as:
- Bambino
- Golden Guardian
- Legion of Honor
- Lemon Gems
Like the look of pom-pom, double ruffled, and open center flowers? Plant different marigold varieties in an assortment of colors for a bloom-filled landscape or container garden.
In my backyard, I noticed bees swarming my Golden Guardian marigolds way more than the double-ruffled ones. Open-center varieties are like a buffet for pollinators because the nectar is easier to get to. Studies show that pollinator activity can boost vegetable yields by up to 30% for crops like tomatoes, so planting marigolds nearby is a no-brainer. If you want to maximize pollinator visits, mix in some single-flower marigolds with your veggie beds and water them in the morning—bees seem to love early nectar runs. A pro tip: avoid pesticides, even organic ones, near your marigolds, as they can deter the very pollinators you’re trying to attract.
3. Marigolds Deter Some Pests
While many gardeners believe that planting marigolds can help repel unpleasant, plant-munching insects, research suggests marigolds may not be that great at sending away unwanted pests like cabbage worms after all. However, one study from 2019 suggests that a strongly scented terpene contained in French marigold plants may help deter whiteflies from infesting nearby tomato plants. The pretty flowers also tend to attract beneficial insects, which may help control pest populations. There’s also evidence that marigolds can help control nematode populations. Nematodes are soil-dwelling parasites that can impact plant growth, sometimes even killing off plants and lawns, so it’s not a bad idea to keep their numbers down.
I’ve had mixed results with marigolds keeping pests away, but I swear by French marigolds near my tomatoes—whiteflies seem to steer clear. The science backs this up: the terpene limonene in French marigolds messes with whitefly behavior, reducing their numbers by about 20% in some trials. For nematodes, marigolds release chemicals like alpha-terthienyl into the soil, which can cut nematode populations by up to 50% over a season. My advice? Plant marigolds densely around your veggies, about 6-8 inches apart, to maximize their pest-repelling effect. If you’re dealing with nematodes, rotate marigolds into your garden beds every couple of years to keep the soil healthy. It’s a cheap trick—way better than spending $20 on nematicides that might not even work as well.
