Are Marigolds a Fall Flower? A Guide to Growing and Enjoying Marigolds in Autumn

As summer fades into fall, many gardeners start planning for next year by planting fall bulbs and winter greens. But there’s still plenty of color to be had in autumn gardens with the right plants. One of the best fall-blooming flowers is the cheery marigold. With their bright golden orange and red flowers, marigolds can light up beds, borders, and containers well into fall.

Why Are Marigolds Ideal for Fall?

Marigolds are actually one of the most versatile flowers you can grow They bloom from late spring all the way until frost But they really shine as fall flowers for several reasons

Hardy nature. Marigolds are tough, sturdy plants that easily tolerate cooler fall temperatures and even light frosts. Many varieties will bloom right up until the first hard freeze.
Heat tolerance Marigolds thrive in hot and humid summer weather When many other flowers fade or struggle, marigolds soldier on.
Drought resistance. These unfussy plants don’t require much watering or pampering. Their ability to withstand drought makes them ideal for fall gardens.

Pest and disease resistance. Deer and rabbits don’t bother them, and marigolds rarely succumb to common flower diseases and insects. That means they will bloom reliably into fall.
Deadheading not required. You don’t have to deadhead spent marigold blooms to encourage more flowering. The plants bloom freely until frost.
Great cut flowers. Marigold’s long vase life, often 10-14 days, makes them excellent fall cut flowers.

With all these advantages, it’s no wonder marigolds are stars of autumn gardens!

Types of Marigolds for Fall Color

There are actually over 50 species of marigolds. But most fall gardens feature one of three popular types:

African or American marigolds (Tagetes erecta) – The largest marigolds, these bushy plants produce huge double flowers up to 5 inches across in bold orange, yellow, or red. They can reach up to 4 feet tall but most are 2-3 feet.
French marigolds (Tagetes patula) – These compact marigolds reach just 6-18 inches tall. Flowers are smaller, single or double, and come in mix of orange, yellow, red and multi-colors.

Signet marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia) – The daintiest marigolds have lacy, fern-like foliage and single, daisy-like blooms in yellow and orange shades. They grow 6-12 inches tall.

Larger American/African marigolds make a big visual impact in borders and beds. More petite French and signet marigolds work beautifully in containers, edging walkways, and mixed flower gardens.

Tips for Growing Marigolds in Fall

Marigolds are so easy to grow that they’re recommended for beginning gardeners. Just follow these simple tips:

Planting. Sow marigold seeds or set out young seedlings after the last spring frost date. This ensures the biggest harvest of flowers before frost.

Sun. Give marigolds full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Morning sun is best to discourage mildew on leaves.
Soil. Marigolds thrive in average garden soil with good drainage. Work in compost at planting time to enrich soil.
Watering. Water marigolds when the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid wetting foliage, which can encourage disease.

Fertilizer. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly or work slow-release granular fertilizer into beds at planting.
Deadheading. Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms on French and signet marigolds. It’s optional for larger American/African marigolds.

Follow these tips, and your marigolds will be covered in bright flowers right through fall!

Marigold Uses: Beyond the Garden

Marigolds offer more than just vibrant floral color in autumn gardens. Here are some of their many uses:

Cut flowers. Fill fall floral arrangements with marigolds for their long vase life. The red and orange shades are perfect for fall.
Día de los Muertos altars. The aroma and bright color of marigolds are said to guide spirits back for this celebration.
Cooking. Signet marigold petals add color and subtle citrus flavor to salads, soups, and more. Make sure they’re pesticide-free!

Companion planting. Interplanting marigolds with vegetables can help deter pests like squash bugs, aphids, and whiteflies.
Natural dye. Marigold flowers produce a range of yellow and orange shades great for dyeing fabrics.
Medicinal uses. Marigolds have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. They’re used in skin salves.

Pest control. Some gardeners report marigolds repel deer, rabbits, nematodes, and even mosquitoes when planted around patios!

Extending Marigold Season into Fall

Marigolds will bloom from midsummer and continue flowering freely into fall. Here are some tips to maximize flowers right up to frost:

Start seeds or buy transplants early, at least 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost. This gives marigolds a head start.
For the biggest marigolds like the American/African types, pinch out the central shoot when plants are 6 inches tall. This encourages bushier, branched growth with more blooms.
Give marigolds a high phosphorus fertilizer (middle number higher than nitrogen/potassium) monthly to promote prolific flowering.

Remove spent blooms of French and signet marigolds to encourage new flowers instead of seed production. Leave deadheads on American/African marigolds.
Provide afternoon shade if possible once summer heat kicks in. This reduces drought stress and fading flowers.
Mulch plants to help retain soil moisture and prevent wilting. Water thoroughly during dry spells.

Follow these techniques, and marigolds will produce wave after wave of fabulous fall color!

Enjoying Marigolds into Fall

Marigolds are the quintessential flower for fall gardens. Their heat and drought tolerance, pest and disease resistance, and weeks of bright blooms make them a joy to grow. Use the cheerful flowers in containers, borders, cut arrangements and more. With so many sizes, colors and uses, what’s not to love about marigolds? Plant plenty this year, and let their glowing colors light up your garden this fall.

Calendula: Not a True Marigold!

Calendula officinalis (aka pot marigolds or English marigolds) are native to southern Europe. Although often called a “marigold,” this plant is not a true marigold. It is still a pretty plant to have around, though, and its bright flowers taste tangy and peppery, so they are often grown with herbs in kitchen gardens. Learn more about growing Calendula! Read Next.

Marigolds thrive in full sunshine and can often withstand very hot summers. African and signet marigolds are drought tolerant, while French marigolds are more tolerant of wet conditions. If planted in shade and cool, moist areas, marigolds are prone to powdery mildew and won’t bloom well.

Though they grow in almost any soil, marigolds do best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. First, loosen the soil by digging down about 6 inches. Then, add compost to make it more fertile and better uniform.

When to Plant Marigolds

Young French and signet marigolds can be planted in the spring through midsummer. However, the tall African marigolds should be planted as soon as possible in the spring (after the risk of frost has passed) because they take longer to grow and flower. Find local frost dates here.

When the soil is warm in the spring, plant seeds right in the garden. You can start seeds indoors, but they grow so quickly outside that there isn’t much point. If you want to buy African marigolds, you should do so as young plants or start them indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date.
In warm weather, marigolds sprout in just one week, and plants usually bloom after eight weeks.

Why YOU Should Plant Marigolds. EVERYWHERE.

Are marigolds fussy?

Marigolds are not fussy. Any good garden soil (and a little water during dry spells) should keep them happy, as long as the soil is not too acidic. Keep the soil pH roughly neutral, from 6.0 to 7.0 . They also don’t need a soil that is particularly rich in organic matter and seem to grow better in a leaner soil.

Are Marigolds a good flower?

Marigolds became wildly popular in the 1970s and are still to this day a common annually planted flower amongst home gardeners. Marigolds thrive best in warm weather, and make a great addition to any landscape, patio pot, or vegetable garden. They provide vibrant colors that are generally orange, yellow, and dark red.

Are Marigolds a perennial?

Marigolds are grown as annuals, suitable for growing in USDA Zones 2-11. Those in warmer regions can grow them as short-lived perennials, but they perform much better when flowering once per season, later pulled from the garden. For continuous blooms, it’s best to save the seeds at the end of the season to plant the following year again.

Are marigolds fussy about soil?

If there is one thing Marigolds are not fussy about, it’s soil type. These plants can grow almost anywhere and perform well, regardless of soil conditions. The only exception to this is heavy clay soils that hold onto too much water, causing the roots to rot. To give your plants the best start possible, loamy, fertile soil is ideal.