🌸 Marigold: Growing Guide
Marigold (Tagetes) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 5–35 °C (41–95 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.8–7.0. Space plants about 25 cm (9.8 in) apart. Expect 50–70 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Tagetes |
|---|---|
| Category | Flowers |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 25 cm (9.8 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.8–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 5–35 °C (41–95 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 50–70 days |
| Sowing depth | 0.5 cm (0.2 in) |
| Height | 20–90 cm (7.9–35 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | ||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Aug, Oct.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–May, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan, Jul–Aug · Harvest: Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: May · Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Feb, Sep · Plant out: Mar, Oct · Harvest: Apr–May, Nov.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 9 days in winter. Moderate watering, avoid waterlogging.
Growing tips
A friendly garden companion. Helps deter pests. French vs African marigold.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Marigold: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Aug, Oct. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
Marigold: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 9 days in winter. Moderate watering, avoid waterlogging.
Marigold: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 25 cm (9.8 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.5 cm (0.2 in).
Marigold: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 50–70 days.
Marigold: which plants grow well with it?
Tomato, Pepper, Cucumber.
Plan your garden
Add Marigold to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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