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About Marigold

French and African marigolds are companion flowers, not culinary herbs. They earn their bed by blooming hard and, in close plantings, deterring some pests. Plants are 8–36 inches tall depending on type — never 36 feet.

When to Plant

Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost, or direct-sow after frost.

How to Plant

Sow ¼ inch deep. French: 8–12 inches. African/tall: 12–18 inches. Full sun, average soil. Do not bury spider-mite notes in the planting step — if plants look stippled in heat, rinse the undersides of leaves and avoid drought stress.

When to Harvest

Deadhead to keep blooms coming. Harvest seed when flower heads are dry and brown. Petals of some Tagetes are used as a coloring garnish; they are not a potherb.