Marigolds are one of the most popular annual flowers. They are easy to grow from seeds or transplants, and if you give them the right conditions, they will fill your garden or container with bright flowers.
Tagetes, or marigolds, come in a range of sizes, from low plants that grow along edges to tall flowers that are cut. Their blooms are mostly solid orange, golden yellow, or white, but sometimes they have darker spots along the edges of the petals for decoration.
The flowers and leaves have a fresh, clean smell and are great for keeping insects and nematodes away from the soil. They can be grown in pots or in the garden.
With their bright, cheerful blooms in shades of golden yellow, orange, and creamy white, marigolds are a beloved warm-season annual in gardens worldwide. But what about their light requirements? How much sunlight does a marigold need to reach its full potential for vigorous growth and maximum flowers?
Marigolds Are Full Sun Plants
Marigolds are often described as “sun worshippers” when it comes to their light requirements. They thrive in full sun, which means a minimum of 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. More is better. Marigolds happily soak up the sun from sunrise to sunset when given the opportunity.
Partial shade or even short durations of full shade will cause leggy, weakened growth and a substantial reduction in flowering. Marigolds grown in shade tend to flop over and have a high susceptibility to disease issues like fungal stem rot. Their bloom production is also markedly decreased without sufficient sunlight.
So for prolific flowers and healthy marigold plants, choose a planting site that receives direct sun for most or all of the day. The intensity of the light also matters.
Intensity of Sunlight Affects Marigolds
While duration of sun exposure is key, marigolds also respond positively to very bright, intense sunlight. Think of how they bloom abundantly in summertime when light levels are at their peak.
Marigolds grown in greenhouse conditions or indoors without supplemental lighting often stretch toward any available light source and fail to bloom adequately. Even outdoors, they perform best in summertime full sun versus the lower intensity light of spring or fall.
If marigold seedlings get leggy indoors or growth appears stalled, try placing them in the brightest, sunniest window or supplement with grow lights. The intensity boost will strengthen stems and encourage more prolific flowering.
Too Much Sunlight Can Be Problematic
Marigolds need all the sunlight they can soak up – with one caveat. Extremely intense, direct midday sun in hot climates can occasionally overstress plants. If marigolds are wilting even when well-watered, scorch marks appear on leaves, or blooms shrivel prematurely, too much sun may be to blame.
Thankfully, this is easy to remedy Add lightweight shade cloth to filter the harshest rays during peak afternoon hours Install stakes and tie broad leafed companion plants like nicotiana around the marigolds to provide living shade. A thick layer of mulch can also buffer soil temperatures and heat intensity.
With the right balance of ample bright light and a bit of occasional shading, marigolds will reward you with an abundance of cheery color in the garden. Give them full sun, treat them well, and enjoy wave after wave of glorious golden blossoms.
When & Where to Plant Marigolds
Light: Full sun, to partial shade.
Soil: Marigolds prefer fertile soil, preferably loose and loamy with adequate drainage, yet can also tolerate dry conditions.
Space: Plant seeds in the garden, 1 inch apart, or in seed trays to move them to the garden once they have roots. For shorter varieties, plant 8 inches apart, or 10-12 inches apart for the larger African types. Be sure leave enough room for plants to grow with enough air circulation.
Planting: Start seeds indoors, 4- 6 weeks before frost-free date. Place in a sunny window, and then transplant seedlings into the garden when danger of frost is past. Sow directly in the garden after danger of frost. Can be planted throughout the summer for a succession of blooms.
How to Grow Marigolds Throughout the Season
Growth Habit: Marigolds are compact growing, and will not sprawl, as many other annuals are prone to do. Keep spent blossoms and stems are pruned to encourage bushier growth.
Staking: Shorter varieties require no staking. Taller, cut flower types may benefit from staking to avoid falling over in strong wind.
If you want to water marigolds, let the soil dry out between applications. However, they can be picky if their leaves are wet. Plan to water at the base of the plant, and keep soil moist, yet not overly wet.
Fertilizing: Plant in nutrient rich soil, and fertilize, as needed. Too much fertilizer will stimulate lush foliage, at the expense of flowers.
Cutting
Mulching: You can put mulch around young plants to keep weeds away and keep the roots moist.
Why YOU Should Plant Marigolds. EVERYWHERE.
FAQ
Can marigold survive in shade?
How many hours of sunlight does a marigold need?
Do marigolds prefer morning or afternoon sun?
Can marigolds get too much sun?
How much sun do marigolds need?
Marigold transplants should be planted into well-draining, loamy soil in an area that receives full sun (6 – 8 hours sunlight daily). The proper amount of sunlight is crucial to getting those vivid marigold flowers and a healthy plant. In warmer climates or high altitudes, marigolds may benefit from a few hours of shade.
Why do marigolds grow in full sun?
Sunlight fuels the process of photosynthesis, providing marigolds with the energy they need for robust growth. As marigolds thrive under full sun, their stems become sturdier, their leaves lusher, and their overall plant structure more robust.
Can marigolds withstand full sun?
They can withstand full sun exposure with impressive grace and only begin to show signs of stress when the weather is relentlessly hot, be it humid or dry. This makes the marigold a perfect accompaniment to coreopsis, and a number of heat-loving herbs.
Do marigolds need a lot of soil?
They also don’t need a soil that is particularly rich in organic matter and seem to grow better in a leaner soil. When you first plant your marigold seeds or plants, make sure they get regular water. Don’t leave them in dry soil for more than a couple of days. If it is particularly hot and sunny, water new plants every day.