The answer to “Are marigolds perennials?”
depends on the throw in you’re growing.
Are marigoldsperennials or annuals?
Credit: Jacob Fox
The answer is both.
While most people grow them as annuals, a few types are perennials.
Marigolds are in the genusTagetes, from the sunflower family, and are native to the Americas.
Depending on your garden plans and how vigorously the marigolds reseed, that can be great or frustrating.
Annual Marigolds
The two most commonly planted types, French and African marigolds, are annuals.
They bloom from summer until frost.
In areas without cold winters, they grow old and die.
The smaller, delicately floweredsignet marigoldsare also annuals.
Many annual marigolds self-seed and come back the following year.
They will eventually burst open and drop the seeds.
it’s possible for you to also collect the seeds and plant them yourself.
Some hybrid marigolds are sterile and wont produce viable seeds.
If they do, the offspring likely wont resemble the parent plant.
Choose open-pollinated varieties if you want marigolds to self-seed.
Open-pollinated marigolds are sometimes identified with an OP on the package or an indication they are an heirloom variety.
Hybrids might be labeled as hybrids or have an (F1) on the package.
You may need to order these from an online vendor as they are not often found at garden centers.
While common varieties are found at big box stores,head online to find unique cultivars.
Marigold seeds can be directly sown in the ground or started indoors and transplanted.
They enjoyfull sunbut can tolerate some partial shade, especially in the afternoon in hot climates.
Marigolds grown in containers need weekly or more frequent watering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Signet marigolds are commonly used as edible garnishes.
They have a spicy flavor and go well with many dishes.
Use only the petals; the green flower base has a bitter taste.
Marigolds are not harmful to dogs, although eating marigolds might result in an upset stomach.
There is no need to panic if your dog nibbles a marigold flower.
Fortunately, marigolds are deer-resistant.
The strong scent of marigolds is thought to be repulsive to deer, and they generally avoid it.
Some gardeners have also had luck using marigolds to repel rabbits.
