The Requirements to Grow Marigolds

Light and Soil

• Marigolds thrive in sunny sites although they may appreciate some light afternoon shade in areas that get particularly warm in the summer. Marigolds don’t require a special mixture of soil, but they do need to be planted in soil that is well-drained and evenly moist. The Tagetes erecta, often called the African or American marigold, will tolerate dry soil.

Sites

• You can plant marigolds in flowerbeds or containers. The Missouri Botanical Garden suggests planting taller varieties in sites sheltered from strong winds and heavy rain because the stems are susceptible to snapping.

Timing

• Don’t place marigold plants or marigold seeds into the ground until the last spring frost has passed. If you want to get your seeds off to an earlier start, you can plant them in pots indoors about two months before the last frost then transfer the plants into the ground when the weather warms up.

Maintenance

• American marigold plants can grow up to 4 feet tall and may require staking due to their heavy flower heads. Remove withered or decaying blooms from your marigold plants to promote new flowering. The Calendula officinalis or pot marigold starts blooming as early as May while other marigolds don’t develop flowers until June. If pot marigolds seem to struggle during long periods of hot weather, you can cut them back to encourage fall flowering. Marigolds can continue to bloom until the first frost strikes.