Planting and care
How to grow marigold
When to grow
Warm season · Annual
How to start
Direct seed after frost or transplant
Mature size
6–18 in tall and 6–12 in wide, cultivar-dependent
Time to harvest
Usually begins flowering about 45–60 days from seed; transplant timing varies
Feeding needs
Light feeder
Growth habit
Pollinator Compact
Harvest and kitchen use
Primarily grown as a companion flower; edible use requires a specifically identified edible cultivar
Nutrition and garden value
Not counted as a food crop in Grow Pros package yields
Adds a compact flowering layer and floral resources for visiting pollinators and beneficial insects
Common challenges and troubleshooting
Spider mites, aphids, botrytis and root rot in persistently wet soil; deadhead to extend bloom
Safety note
Do not eat unidentified nursery marigolds; people sensitive to the aster family may react when handling plants