While marigolds are NOT truly perennial, they do have the advantage of being easy to grow. And you’ll not be worried about pests, for one, Deer doesn’t eat Marigold.
Unlike many other flowering plants, marigolds don’t require a lot of water.
They grow easily in a garden, and they produce large quantities of beautiful flowers.
Most Marigold species are ‘true’ Annuals but a Lemmon’s marigold variety are perennials. Since Marigolds self-seed, they may be regarded as perennials, but keep in mind that they’re only coming back from the seed.
However, if you want to enjoy their bright yellow blooms all year long, you should transplant them once they are 6 to 8 weeks old.
How and When to Plant Marigolds
You can purchase marigold plants in a plug form and plant them outdoors as soon as the last frosts have melted. That should be in the month of March. Or, you can buy a garden-ready variety, and plant it as needed.
The key is to prepare the soil thoroughly, remove stones, weeds, and support them.
In a warm climate, marigolds can survive in poor soil conditions and thrive. The flowers are highly attractive and attract pollinators, so it’s best to include marigolds in your garden as much as possible.
Grow Marigolds As Annuals in Colder Climates
In colder climates, marigolds don’t perform well as perennials, but you can try growing them as annuals in a protected area.
You can also plant them outdoors. The best way to grow marigolds is in full sun, but they also tolerate a little shade. In areas with a harsh winter, it’s best to plant them in the morning.
They’ll be more likely to flower in summer if planted in a protected area. In such cases, you can try planting T. erecta in a sheltered location, and you may need to stake them lightly to keep them upright.
Common Garden Marigolds are ‘true’ Annuals
Yes, they’re annuals. However, when temperatures drop, they flower again.
That’s why the plant remains green for the next season. And if you don’t want to wait until next spring to plant your garden, you can just use the leftover seeds for the following year.
It’ll bloom in mid-May or even later, which makes it appear perennial. But it’s important to understand that marigolds are annuals and not perennial.
The first step in growing marigolds is to make sure you have an adequate location for them. They need to have a sunny area with good drainage and have plenty of room for growth.
If you want to grow them in pots, you should plant them in the ground about six inches apart. Then, they will need to be replanted each year. During the winter months, they will remain dormant.
Marigolds Grow Well in Containers
They’re an excellent plant for containers. In winter, marigolds are dormant. They are not perennial. They are annuals.
The seeds should be sown about once a month in a sunny location, preferably in containers.
If you are not planting them in the ground, make sure you place them in direct sunlight where they get at least 6 hours of sun a day.
Do Marigolds Come Back Every Year?
Marigolds come in different varieties and types. The common Marigolds are annuals, however, some varieties are perennials, and come back yearly without replanting.
If you have a garden that is already established, you can just sow the marigold seeds indoors in containers 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Once they’ve germinated, you can transplant them into the ground. Once they’ve germinated, they’ll be ready to bloom in a few months.
Do Marigolds Self-Seed?
Most marigolds are annuals, but some do come back each year. Because marigolds self-seed, they appear to be perennials.
They actually only come back because they’ve seeded themselves. They’re best suited for planting in planting zones 2 through 11 and perform best during the warmer months.
In cooler zones, they’ll have a longer blooming season. The best way to decide whether to grow marigolds in your garden is to consult your local gardening store or nursery.
While most marigolds are annuals, some are perennials. Because they self-seed, they appear to be perennials but are actually coming back from seed.
Marigolds Grow Best in Zones 2 to 11
The plants grow best in planting zones 2 to 11 and need a lot of moisture to bloom. Sow marigold seeds indoors in March before the frost-threatened soil arrives outside. If you don’t plant them indoors, they may not bloom at all.
As a perennial, marigolds can bloom more than once, but the quality of their flowers will decline after the first time they bloom. If you want larger, healthier flowers, it’s best to plant fresh seedlings.
They’ll self-seed in your flower bed or garden. Some varieties, such as the French marigold, reseed. While most marigolds don’t come back every year, a few varieties will often grow back each year.
Depending on the climatic changes, Marigolds do come back in certain parts of the country.
They are not invasive, so they’re perfect for a garden. They’re great for keeping pests away. If you want a long blooming marigold in your garden, deadhead the flowers in late July and August.
These flowers also thrive in warmer climates. If you want your marigolds to bloom all year long, they’ll need some regular water.
Marigolds Can Be Grown For Its Medicinal Properties
If you are growing marigolds for their medicinal properties, you should collect the seeds and plant them in the garden.
They will grow back from seed and will flower all summer long. If you’re planning to use them in your yard for organic pest control, they can be harvested and used as a natural pesticide.
You’ll even be able to harvest the petals for the seeds, which will be helpful for a few more years.
Will Marigold Plant Survive Winter?
When it comes to caring for a marigold plant, it’s very simple. This annual flower just cannot stand long, cold temperatures.
In other words, it can’t survive the winter. However, if you plan on keeping your marigold plant for the winter, here are a few tips to keep it healthy:
- It needs to receive plenty of light.
- It needs moist soil.
- You should lightly fertilize it.
When Do Marigolds Stop Blooming?
The biggest indicator that the blooming season of marigolds is over is frost. This happens when the ground temperature reaches 32 degrees.
If the air temperature reaches that level, frost will occur. Healthy marigolds will not be damaged by cold weather, but plants that are exposed to freezing temperatures will be killed by frost.
To protect your marigold, consider planting it indoors as soon as possible.
You’ll find that it will thrive even in the coldest winter months.
If you’re planning on planting your marigolds in the fall, you should start early. You can start your seeds any time between March and April. If you’re planting in a pot, a seed tray, and then transplanting them to the garden, the results will be better.
Unlike other perennial flowers, marigolds require little maintenance and only need water when the compost dries.
So, it’s easy to care for your Marigold plant and enjoy its colorful blooms throughout the fall and winter.
Prune Marigolds After the Last Frost to Improve Growth During Winter
For the best growth of marigolds during the winter, you should prune them after the last frost. The more new growth you prune, the better, because more flowers will bloom until the first frost.
This end-of-season routine may vary depending on your climate, but it should include deadheading and feeding. A water-soluble fertilizer can be added monthly to maintain the soil’s moisture content, but don’t apply too much at once.
As with many plants, Marigolds will not survive the winter. But you can keep the seeds for the following year, and you can save the seeds for future planting. The marigolds are easy to grow in containers.
If you want to preserve their seeds, you should harvest the flower heads before birds and frost damage them.
The flowers also make a great decoration. If you’re not sure if your Marigold will survive the winter, you can buy the seedlings from a flower shop.
Grow Marigolds Indoors in Zones 3 – 5
In addition to storing seeds during the winter, Marigolds can be grown indoors in zones 3-5. They are hardy and can withstand cold temperatures in the winter.
As long as they’re protected from frost and are stored properly, marigolds can survive in all kinds of conditions.
This means that the first frost, regardless of where they live, will probably be the first to strike. In order to protect the flowers, you need to cut off the flowers as soon as they’ve faded.