I was never a fan of marigolds growing up. They just seemed so...common. They didn't have the majesty of the cut flowers nor the floral ambiance of others. However, as a gardener, I have come to adore these plants and have depended upon their presence as a pest repellant [wrong!] They are possibly the most important flower I grow. The main two varieties of marigold are French Tagetes patula and African Tagetes erecta. The heritage French varieties are smaller and supposedly more pest repellant. The showier newer varieties have lost much of their aromatic qualities. The African are larger and showier. I only grow French.
Research has shown that growing marigolds as a pest repellant is a gardening myth. However, most gardeners would disagree, as their anecdotal evidence is strong. This is most likely due not to repellant properties, but the attractant qualities that bring in beneficial insects that do their job. Same outcome.
Research does prove them beneficial in lowering plant-parasitic nematodes in soil.
Growing
Marigolds are one of the easiest plants to grow. They germinate easily, transplant well, direct sow well, are not picky about growing conditions and can handle heat.
They should not be grown in shade nor watered from overhead, as they are susceptible to powdery mildew. For more blooms, deadheading will help, but is not necessary.
They should NOT be grown with beans, as a chemical produced by their roots will stunt the growth of the beans.
French marigold is planted in mass a season before planting tomatoes, garlic, onion, strawberry, snap bean, cucumber and squash to lower plant-parasitic nematodes. It is used prolifically by gardeners as a companion plant to attract beneficial insects and pollinators and as a trap crop for aphids and other pests.
It is used as an ornamental flower in containers, borders, and flower gardens. Marigolds can be used as a cut flower. Making sure to remove all leaves below the water line so they don't stink as the leaves rot quickly in water. The flowers can also be dried upside down and used in dried arrangements.
The only marigold that is edible is calendula. French and African marigolds are NOT EDIBLE nor medicinal.
I grow a LOT of marigolds for my garden and interplant them throughout my garden. I was very surprised to find out that research did not support marigolds as being pest repellant. As gardeners have said for so very many years, there is something about them that is beneficial to gardens. Whether it is as nematode control, trap crop, beneficial insect attractant, or just looking pretty, I will always have them prolific in my garden.
specs
Tgetes patulaType: Annual
Uses: Beneficial insect attractant, reduce parasitic nematodes
Germination: Can be started indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost and transplanted out after frost date
Seed Prep: None
Seed Depth: 1 inch
Germination Time: 7-14 days
Growing Temp: 70-75°F
Height: 6-24 inches
Spread: 8-12 inches
Spacing: 8-10 inches
Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering, potential for powdery mildew in shade
Water Requirements: Average, drought tolerant, don't over water
Soil Quality: Average, well-drained, but not picky
Soil Chemistry: 5.6-7.5
Fertilize: Not needed
Growth Rate: Fast, reaches full maturity in 8 weeks
Bloomtime: Summer
Attracts: Pollinators; beneficial insects lady bugs, hover flies, parasitic wasps
Critter Resistant: Repels plant-parasitic nematodes [proven], deer
Critter Attractant: Slugs, pest insects
Harvest: Flowers
Pruning: Pinch back early to encourage branching, deadhead regularly
Pests: Spider mites, aphids, Japanese beetles, white fly, rape blossom beetles, cutworms, white fringed beetle, lygus bug, six-spotted leafhopper, potato leafhopper, cyclamen mite, blister beetle
Diseases: Powdery mildew
Reseeds: Yes, aggressively
Propagation: Seeds
Garden Style: English cottage, wildflower, containers, border
Companions: Most vegetables, may inhibit the growth of some herbs and will stunt the growth of beans
Allergy Potential: Topical rash in some people
https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/magical-repelling-powers-of-marigolds-myth-or-fact/
https://www.britannica.com/video/174126/video-dahlia-flower-opening
https://www.gardenmyths.com/marigolds-companion-plant/
https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/CAT87210014/PDF
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