Advice on how to pick the right pot for each type of marigold and how to take good care of them.
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Marigolds are hugely popular flowers to grow and can provide stunning pops of bright color in any backyard. These plants only grow once a year and can be anywhere from a few inches to several feet tall. They can all be grown successfully in pots.
A real bonus for marigolds is that they are not just stunning, they are also beneficial. I have grown marigolds in containers in gardens to put on a show and let people enjoy their bright flowers. They also help vegetable gardens by keeping pests away from the plants.
If you want to grow marigolds in pots, there are a few things you need to do right. Here are five of the most important things you can do to make sure your plants are happy and your flowers look great.
Marigolds are a brightly colored, hardy annual flower that can bring vibrancy and visual interest to gardens When planted in containers, marigolds have the advantage of mobility – they can be moved around the garden or patio to provide pops of color wherever needed In this article, we’ll explore some inspiring images of marigolds thriving in garden pots and planters.
Marigold Varieties Well-Suited to Containers
There are many varieties of marigolds, but some work better than others planted in containers. The compact French marigolds produce an abundance of small, crested flowers on dense, bushy plants that rarely exceed 12 inches tall. This makes them an excellent choice for window boxes, hanging baskets and small pots.
The larger African marigolds can reach up to 3 feet tall and have large fully double flowers up to 5 inches across. Look for dwarf varieties like ‘Little Hero’ that stay under 2 feet tall but still pump out huge flowers. These make stunning focal points in large planters and mixed containers.
Signet marigolds are known for their edible flowers. Varieties like ‘Lemon Gem’ stay tidier and more compact than the rambling French types, making them suitable for smaller pots. Their bright lemon-yellow blooms also look fantastic combined with other edibles like herbs.
Pairing Marigolds with Complementary Plants
A single marigold on its own can look striking, but combining several marigolds together in a mixed planter creates more visual impact. Certain other plants make excellent partners in containers to really make the marigolds pop.
Cool blue and purple flowers like lobelia, petunias, pansies and violas make the warm marigold tones glow even more vibrantly. Shimmery silver foliage from plants like dusty miller, artemisia and lavender cotton contrast beautifully too.
For edible pairings, try combining lemon or signet marigolds with red lettuces, spinach, kale or chard. The yellow and green look fresh and appealing together. Marigolds are also said to repel certain garden pests, so they help protect more delicate edibles.
Trailing plants like ivy geraniums, verbena, calibrachoa and nasturtiums complement marigolds’ mounded habit nicely in mixed hangers and cascading pots. Let the trailers spill over the edges while the marigolds provide height and structure.
Creative Marigold Container Designs
Beyond basic pots and planters, there are so many creative ways to showcase marigolds as container plants. Here are some eye-catching ideas:
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Plant marigolds in household items like teapots, watering cans, colanders, buckets or even cowboy boots for fun vintage flair. Mix trailing plants like ivy or verbena out the spouts or tops.
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For height, stack rectangular pots or crates in stair-step fashion with marigolds in each tier. Alternate colors for added pop.
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Line entry walkways or patios with a row of matching pots overflowing with marigolds. This bold display makes a big impact in small spaces.
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Plant marigolds in wall-mounted pocket planters or a vertical pallet garden for unique vertical appeal. Let them cascade over the edges.
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Grow dwarf marigolds in containers along the edge of ponds and water features. The bright blooms over water look exquisite.
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For parties, fill galvanized tubs with ice and bottled drinks. Top with a red, white and blue marigold display for a festive patriotic cooler.
Caring for Marigolds in Containers
Though easy overall, marigolds do have some specific needs when grown in containers. Here are a few tips:
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Use a commercial potting soil or make a fast-draining mix of compost, perlite and sand. Marigolds are prone to root rot in dense or overly moist soils.
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Fertilize containers every 2-3 weeks to fuel flowering. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength after first bloom appears.
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Check soil moisture daily. Water when the top inch becomes dry, taking care not to oversaturate the soil. Add mulch to retain moisture longer.
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Prune or pinch back leggy growth to encourage bushiness, especially for French marigolds. Pinch out spent flowers to prolong bloom.
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Move containers to follow the sun as needed. Rotate pots if growth appears one-sided. Marigolds bloom best in full sun.
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Bring containers indoors or into a covered area if hard freezes threaten. Marigolds decline quickly with frost.
Inspiring Marigold Container Ideas in Photos
Pictures of marigolds in containers can provide endless inspiration for gardeners planning their own pots and planters. Here are some favorite images and ideas:
[Image 1] Showcasing various orange and yellow varieties together makes a big, bold impact. The green sweet potato vine trailing over the edges softens the look.
[Image 2] This lemon-themed container with the light yellow marigolds and variegated sage looks fresh and summery. A fun idea for a shady spot.
[Image 3] Who says marigolds can’t be glamorous? The hot pink pot and ruffles on these blooms give them a girly, fashionable vibe. Absolutely exquisite.
[Image 4] Barnyard chic! Repurposed antique buckets and watering cans give these marigolds old-fashioned farmhouse appeal, especially on the rustic wood bench.
[Image 5] For organic texture, plant marigolds among ornamental grasses like these fluffy pennisetums. The see-through quality contrasts nicely with the flowers.
[Image 6] This lush cascading planter creates a virtual marigold waterfall! Letting the flowers spill over creates such a romantic, whimsical look.
So get inspired and have fun with designing creative and gorgeous marigold displays in pots and planters this season. Their nonstop blooms and bold colors will bring energy and beauty to your garden all summer long.
Pick a good pot and potting soil
Marigolds come in various warm colors and in different sizes( credit: iStock/Getty s Plus)
There are different types of marigolds and all can grow successfully in a pot. But the type will tell you what size pots you need to make sure the plants have enough space to grow. Marigolds come in three main types: French, African, and Signet (sometimes called Gem). They range in height from 3 to 4 feet to less than 6 inches.
It makes sense that African marigolds (Tagetes erecta), which are the biggest species of marigold, need the biggest pots if you want to show them off.
Aileen Carrol from Van Winden’s Garden Center in Napa Valley advises: ‘Make sure you plant it in a big pot. It would be happy in something like a half-wine barrel or an 18-24-inch container. African marigolds have some of the biggest blooms and these plants often grow taller than they do wide.’
French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are smaller and grow to be about 6 to 12 inches tall. They do best in pots that are 8 to 12 inches across and deep. Finally, signet marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia) are the tiniest type and can be happy in a 6-8 inch container.
Any kind of material can be used for the container or planter, but it needs to have holes in the bottom so that water can drain away. Marigolds will not be happy sitting in soggy soil and it risks root rot.
Fill the pot with rich and free-draining potting soil for container gardening. Adding a handful of horticultural grit, perlite, or vermiculite into the potting mix can help boost the drainage. Adding some balanced, slow-release plant food will also give the plant the nutrients it needs all season to help it bloom strongly.
Aileen Carroll is a garden consultant based in Napa Valley, California. She specializes in container gardens and edible landscapes. Organic Potting Mix.
This is an organic potting soil with mycorrhizae, coconut coir, and yucca extract that gives plants in pots all the nutrients they need. Organic Vermiculite.
Vermiculite that is 100% natural and pure is great for starting seeds and mixing into soil to help keep water in and let it drain. All Purpose Plant Food.
A balanced and slow-release granular plant fertilizer that will feed plants in containers for up to two months.
Find the best location
A pot of marigolds should be put in a spot in the garden that gets a lot of sun (credit: sheryl caston / Alamy Stock Photo).
Marigolds like to grow in a sunny spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight every day. The more sun you can give marigolds, the better. If they are in the shade, they won’t flower as well.
Find the sunniest spot in your backyard and put your marigold container there. That’s where the best flowers will grow. Taller African marigolds may benefit from being protected from strong winds with stakes.
Why YOU Should Plant Marigolds. EVERYWHERE.
FAQ
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