N
The Daily Insight

Can you plant marigolds close together

Author

Andrew Walker

Updated on April 14, 2026

For best results, thin or transplant young marigolds while they are still small, spacing French and Signet types 8 to 10 inches apart. Larger American varieties should be at least 10 to 12 inches apart.

Can marigolds grow close together?

Space dwarf varieties 6 inches apart, medium types 10 to 12 inches apart, and allow at least 12 inches of space between larger marigolds.

How many marigolds can you plant together?

Don’t crowd potted marigold plants, as healthy marigolds require plenty of air circulation. One marigold is enough for a 6-inch (15 cm.) pot, but you can grow two or three in a 12-inch (30 cm.) pot, and five or more small plants in a large container with a diameter of 18 inches (45 cm.).

How far apart should you plant marigolds?

In planting beds, space African marigolds 10 to 12 inches apart, while French marigolds should be 8 to 10 inches apart. If you’re planting marigolds into containers, use a pot that’s at least 10 inches across for African and larger French types.

What should marigolds not be planted near?

Marigold – French Marigolds (Tagetes patula) produce chemicals that repel whitefly, Mexican bean beetles, root knot nematodes, and root lesion nematodes. Avoid planting them near beans.

Where is the best place to plant marigolds?

Most marigolds prefer to be located in an area with full sun but will tolerate some shade. During times of extreme heat, some afternoon shade is beneficial. T. erecta varieties should be planted in an area protected from strong winds and damaging rainfall.

What flowers pair well with marigolds?

Marigolds come in vibrant yellow, red, and orange hues, which can be beautifully paired with complementary colors of other flowers in the garden landscape. Try interplanting marigolds with allium, coreopsis, roses, salvia, bachelor buttons, lavender, and geranium plants for eye-catching appeal.

When can you put marigolds outside?

You can plant marigold seeds directly outdoors in the spring after the danger of frost has passed for your area or start seeds indoors up to about eight weeks before the last frost. Seeds usually germinate within four to 14 days in soil temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do marigolds spread?

Do marigolds spread? Marigolds are rapidly growing plants and most varieties are self-seeding, which means they will drop seeds and spread throughout your yard or garden. Limit the ability to self-seed by deadheading before blooms go to seed.

Will marigolds come back every year?

The popular types of marigolds for garden planting are all annuals, sprouting, flowering – and dying in the same year. But they may come back the following year thanks to self-seeding.

Article first time published on

Do you water marigolds everyday?

Marigolds grow best if watered deeply at least once a week.

Do marigolds keep mosquitoes away?

These flowers are colorful additions to landscaping, but they have a distinctive smell that repels mosquitoes and other garden pests, including squash bugs and tomato worms. Marigolds contain a natural compound used in many insect repellents.

What should I plant next to marigolds?

  • Cucumbers.
  • Melons.
  • Eggplants.
  • Squash.
  • Potatoes.
  • Lettuce.
  • Pumpkins.
  • Tomatoes.

Is it good to plant marigolds in a vegetable garden?

Marigolds in the vegetable garden is a companion plant to bush beans, potatoes, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, squash, eggplant and kale. … The marigolds will help these veggies deter beetles, slugs leaf hoppers, bean beetles and the dreaded horn worms.

Should I plant marigolds in my garden?

While the more common tagetes variety does not offer as many health benefits they do offer gardening benefits. Planting marigolds in your vegetable gardens will help keep away moles, deer and other animals. … Marigolds also help eliminate nematodes, with toxins found within the plant.

Do marigolds attract bees?

Marigolds are attractive to bees provided you choose a variety with open centers, so insects can easily find the yellow florets. Little ‘Gem’ marigolds fit this description, but they are not as long-blooming as many French marigolds, which are the preferred type among pollinators in my garden.

Can lavender and marigolds be planted together?

Lavender companion plants include flowers that, like lavender, enjoy full sun and well-drained soil such as marigolds, zinnias and certain types of daisies.

Do marigolds like sun or shade?

When & Where to Plant Marigolds Light: Full sun, to partial shade. Soil: Marigolds prefer fertile soil, preferably loose and loamy with adequate drainage, yet can also tolerate dry conditions. Spacing: Sow seeds directly in the garden 1-inch apart, or in seed trays to transplant with root system is established.

Are marigolds fast growing?

Marigolds are incredibly easy-going and reliable under a wide range of growing conditions. Once planted, marigolds grow rapidly with no fuss. Most thrive in full sun, taking hot, sunny exposures in stride. Marigolds can even handle the reflected heat and light of paved surfaces as long as they get regular moisture.

Are marigolds toxic to dogs?

Toxicity to pets Marigolds (Tagetes species) may cause mild irritation to the gastrointestinal tract when ingested. The sap from the plant may also cause irritation to the skin if dermal exposure occurs.

Can you plant marigolds in the ground?

You can direct sow them into the ground, or start them indoors a few weeks before the end of winter. Planting these seeds is a great project for young and inexperienced gardeners, especially children, to get started on their green thumb early.

How do you keep marigolds blooming?

Marigolds need moisture to power blooms and soak in nutrients through their roots and foliage. For maximum blooming, marigolds growing in bed spaces should get at least an inch of water per week. Either by rain, or by watering. Proper watering is important to keep marigolds producing new blooms.

How long do marigold flowers last?

Garden marigolds are annuals, which means they germinate, grow, bear flowers and die all in one growing season. Generally, their maximum lifespan is less than a year, even when they’re started early in the year indoors instead of starting from seed directly in the garden.

Do marigolds bloom all summer?

Marigolds are annuals and not guaranteed to flower repeatedly. But they can populate your garden beds all summer long simply by regular marigold deadheading. Marigolds, like cosmos and geraniums, bloom the entire growing season if you get busy removing spent marigold flowers.

Are marigolds cold hardy?

Because they’re annuals, you can’t make your marigolds live forever, but you can help them stay alive through an early frost episode. These methods are successful only if the temperatures dip near freezing for a short time during the night, as marigolds can’t survive extended cold temperatures.

Do marigolds need a trellis?

Marigolds will tolerate a little shade, but need a bare minimum of six hours of direct sun to really do well. The morning glory needs to climb up something. It grows by twining or wrapping itself, it is not a clinging vine. So you may need to provide a trellis for it.

What temperature is too hot for marigolds?

Marigold seeds generally do not germinate until soil temperatures reach 65 degrees Fahrenheit, though to be safe you should wait until they hit 70 F.

Why is my marigold dying?

Marigold Diseases: Rots and Blights Because the fungus attacks the roots, plant growth is usually stunted as well, and the marigold may eventually die. … To prevent root, stem and crown rot in your marigolds, avoid overwatering so excess moisture doesn’t build up. Make sure that the soil has proper drainage as well.

What animals do marigolds keep away?

Marigolds – The marigold is probably the most well-known plant for repelling insects. French marigolds repel whiteflies and kill bad nematodes. Mexican marigolds are said to offend a host of destructive insects and wild rabbits as well.

Do marigolds keep squirrels away?

The pungent marigold aroma is what detracts squirrels; therefore, use only scented varieties to repel these and other rodents. Hailing from the Liliaceae family, the Fritillaria imperialis is a perennial also referred to as Kaiser’s Crown or Crown imperial.

Do marigolds keep ants away?

unless marigolds actually have some reason to be there. Evidence that marigolds can repel ants or other insects is lacking. However, chemicals released from the roots of some marigold species are toxic to certain nematodes (roundworms); some nematodes are pests and can destroy plant root systems.