The Best Care for Marigold Flowers

About Marigolds

• Garden centers and nurseries sell marigolds in two main types, French marigolds and African marigolds. Both types of marigolds come in combinations of yellow and orange hues. French marigolds work well in areas with full sun and may grow as high as 2 feet tall. African marigolds may grow up to 5 feet tall and work best when planted in large groups. These sturdy plants endure strong wind and last longer than most flowers when cut and used in flower arrangements.

Planting

• Plant marigolds outdoors after the last frost of the season in partial-sun or full-sun locations. Use the smaller French marigolds to border gardens or walkways and larger marigolds in the middle of a garden. Place seeds and cover with approximately 1/4 inch of soil. Thin French marigold seedlings to about a foot apart and larger African marigolds to between 2 and 3 feet apart. Water after planting.

Watering and Care

• Marigolds require little maintenance. Water the plants regularly, taking care not to over water. Remove deadheads to ensure that the plants continue to flower heartily. For better flowers, avoid adding fertilizer to the soil, which simply produce fuller leaves and cut down on the amount of flowers produced. Pinching off the first buds on the plant may lead to more flowers produced during the life of the plant.

Pests and Disease

• Most marigolds give off a strong odor that repels common garden pests, particularly when used in vegetable gardens as companion plants. These plants also reduce nematode populations in soil and occasionally attract slugs and Japanese beetles away from other plants. Marigolds may develop white mold, particularly after over watering. To prevent all plants in a garden from being affected by this fungal disease, remove the affected plants immediately. Marigolds also attract spider mites, which may then move to other plants in the garden.