How to Grow Marigold

Marigolds are real heroes in the garden. Not only do their annual blooms smell fantastic, they can be used in salads, as cut flowers and they attract bees to the garden, making them great companions for many vegetables. They are also very hardy, making them great for kids and low care garden beds.

Full sun

Regular watering

Well drained soil

Late winter to spring with some locations being all year round

How to grow marigolds in your garden

Step 1

Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Step 2

Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, cover, firm down and water well. Keep the soil moist so the seeds don't dry out. Alternatively, you can sow the seeds directly where they are to grow.

Step 3

Water gently and keep moist through germination period.

Step 4

The seedling are ready to transplant when they are approximately 5 cm in height.

Step 5

When transplanting them into your prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are well spaced – at least 30 cm apart. Water in well.

Step 6

Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw.

Step 7

Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

How to grow marigolds in a pot

Step 1

Choose a pot at least 200 mm wide and deep. Position in full sun.

Step 2

Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 3

Plant directly into the pot by pressing the seeds lightly into the surface of the pot.

Step 4

Water gently and keep moist through germination period.

Step 5

Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Growing tips

Remove spent flowers to encourage further blooms.
French Marigolds (T. patula) are known to be more effective than the African Marigolds (T. erecta) in attracting the root knot nematodes. These may help in control in the garden and vegetable patch.
Plant Marigolds around the vegetable patch to encourage beneficial insects and bees to the garden and assist with repelling other insects such as the whitefly, cabbage butterfly and other pests.
Flowers can be used in salads to create colour and texture.
Kids love the bright yellow and orange colour of these flowers.
There are two main varieties:
French Marigolds – Tagetes patula

French Marigolds flowers are shapely but are flatter than their African counterparts and are relatively smaller in height reaching to about 40cm. Available in a variety of shades of yellow and orange

African Marigold – T. erecta

Large pom pom like flowers in different shades of orange and yellow. Taller variety of marigold can reach up to 90 cm in height. There are compact cultivars available for those who prefer a smaller plant in their garden.