Marigolds Annual or Perennial? Both are responses. Several types are perennials, even though most cultivators grow them as annuals. Marigolds are indigenous to the Americas and belong to the sunflower family’s genus Targets.
The common annuals, French and African marigolds, can come back even though they are annuals—they sprout, grow, bloom, and die in the same year. Often, marigolds self-seed—that is, their seeds fall to the ground, overwinter, and sprout in the spring without the gardener’s assistance.
Annual Marigolds
The two types of marigold that are planted most frequently annually are the African and French cultivars. July is when they blossom until the first frost. They blossom in July and last until the first frost. In areas without severe winters, they waste away with age. The tiny, delicately flowered signet marigolds are also annuals.
Numerous marigolds that bloom annually self-seed and return the following year. Stop deadheading your marigolds one month before your local frost date, and let the flowers turn into seed heads if you want them to self-seed.
Perennial Marigolds
While most marigolds are annuals, others are endemic to Mexico and the American Southwest and are perennial bushes. You may need to purchase these from an online supplier, as garden stores typically do not carry them.
Mexican marigold is a perennial shrub that can withstand temperatures up to 11 degrees Celsius. It has little yellow blossoms all over it that attract pollinators, and it can get fairly huge, reaching up to 6 feet tall. Two more common names are the Copper Canyon daisy and the Mexican bush marigold.
Mountain marigold is a semi-evergreen shrub that has tiny golden flowers and delicate, fragrant leaves. Hardy in Zones 8–10, it grows to a height of approximately 3 feet.
Mexican mint marigold grows to a height of 1-3 feet, making it a smaller perennial. It’s also called Mexican tarragon and is a common ingredient in meals and teas. Zones 8–10 are suitable for these tiny shrubs.
How to Plant Marigold Seeds
If you want a lot of marigolds, you can buy marigold seeds by the pound or by the packet. Cultivars that are not found in regular stores can be bought online, although regular types can be found at large-format stores.
Planting marigold seeds outside is one option; another is to start them indoors and then move them to a new location. In warmer areas, they can withstand some partial shade in the afternoons but prefer full sun.
Starting Marigold Seeds Indoors
The best time to start marigolds inside is four weeks before your area’s final frost. Observe these procedures:
- Before using, moisten the planting mix and allow it to absorb water for one hour. By pre-hydrating the mixture, you can avoid trying to water after planting and uprooting the small seeds.
- Sow seeds in flats or cells ¼ inch deep, and then lightly cover with a pre-moistened soil mix. To keep the seeds from drying out, cover the tray with plastic wrap or a humidity dome until about 75% of the seeds have sprouted. Seeds for marigolds should sprout in 6–10 days at room temperature.
- Retain the soil with just a light mist, but not a puddle. When there is too much moisture in the soil mixture, a fungus known as damping off can affect marigolds and other seedlings.
Sowing Marigold Seeds in the Garden
- Weed out the space and applied a layer of compost to prepare it.
- After levelling the bed, plant the seeds ¼ inch deep, spacing them about an inch apart. Later, you can thin them.
- Make sure the soil is moist several inches down by using your finger to test the moisture content of the water. When planting a large area for a dramatic impact, distribute the seeds, give them a light covering with a rake, and then give them some water.
Tips for Growing Marigolds:
When kept out of excessively cold conditions, marigolds are generally easy to cultivate. Below are some wonderful endeavours to consider if you’re looking for a more fulfilling trip.
Soil: Marigolds like their soil to drain quickly and have a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, which is neutral to slightly acidic. You can improve soil structure and drainage by adding composted organic matter to the soil. It’s best to stay away from heavy or extremely wet soils, as these can cause root rot.
Sunlight: Marigolds are light-loving plants. They need at least 6 to 8 hours a day of direct sunshine because they grow best in full sun. Plant them where the sun will warm them; if not; cultivate them in low-light conditions with an LED grow light.
Water: Marigolds require a moderate amount of water. In particular, during dry times, water them frequently to maintain even moisture content in the soil. Take care not to overwater, too, as too much moisture can cause root rot in marigolds.
Temperature and Climate: Marigold flowers flourish in warm or hot weather. Since they are sensitive to cold and frost, plant them after your area’s latest frost date. If you live somewhere where summers are quite hot, providing some shade at midday will help protect them from burning during the hottest portion of the day.
Care Tips for Marigolds
Gardeners don’t need to give marigolds any assistance because insects rarely assault them. For optimal appearance, pinch the plants when they are young to force a bushy, branching habit, and then deadhead the blossoms throughout the growing season. For weed control, spread mulch underneath them.
After they become established in the ground, marigolds can withstand some drought conditions and prefer to dry out a bit between watering. Marigolds grown in containers require at least once a week of watering.
Conclusion
Providing an answer to the query, Are marigolds perennials? While most marigold types grow to maturity in a single year, in some zones, such as USDA hardiness zones 8–11, Mexican marigolds can act like perennials.
Just keep the seeds at season’s end and plant them next year to guarantee that you can continue to enjoy their flowers every year.
FAQ
Which marigolds are considered perennials?
The perennial Mexican marigold is a popular variety. Hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 11, it can reappear there every year. Other uncommon perennial marigold species exist as well, including the mountain marigold.
Does Marigold return every year?
Since marigolds are annual plants, the majority of them die after their first growing year. In areas that are appropriate for them, certain perennial marigolds, like the Mexican marigold, can return year after year.
Is sun or shade better for marigolds?
Sun. Warm-season plants like marigolds prefer full sun and need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Though they can survive in some mild shade, sunny spots are ideal for them.