Marigoldsare so easygoing to growthat they ’re often urge as a good plant life for child to learn how to garden .
That easy nature makes them a jolly indisputable matter in the face of all kinds of gardening challenge , including container horticulture .
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I have it off from experience that it can sometimes be punishing to keep potted plants live . They ’re prostrate to dry out quickly , and if you leave to fertilize it can spell out disaster . But marigold make it easy .
They ’ll forgive you if you get a bit work-shy during the dog day of summer , and they ’ll keep on giving you that smart , boisterous display .
We ’re go to go over everything you should know to make these industrial plant happy . Here ’s what we ’ll extend :
What You’ll Learn
The Best Cultivars for Container Growing
prefer the Right Container
How to Sow
How to Grow
I do n’t know what I ’d do without marigolds in containers . My terrace would sure be much suave , that ’s for sure .
There are some years whe these blossom are the only things liven up up my porch and stairs because I just do n’t have the energy for the more high - upkeep stuff and nonsense .
But do n’t bear that just because they ’re easy they must be boring . you may find marigolds that can vie with just about any annual flower in term of mantrap .
Ourguide to some of the best marigold cultivars out therecan help you regain the right one for you – and any variety can do well in a container .
very well , enough check schmoose . have ’s jump the right way in !
Like we sound out , anyTagetesspecies or cultivar will do well in a pot or planter so long as it has enough way to raise . Pick your favorite and have at it .
If you require a marigold that is just a little better become to container life because of its size or develop prerequisite , nibble one of the following :
Moonlight
‘ Moonlight ’ is anAfrican marigold ( T. erecta ) , but unlike many other cultivars of this coinage , it ’s fairly compact . It grow to about 14 column inch tall .
It ’s also notably tolerant of drouth once install , so if you forget to water yours one weekend , all will not be lose .
‘ Moonlight ’
you’re able to buy a small parcel , an troy ounce , or a quarter - pound of seedsfrom Eden Brothersto bring a little moonshine to your garden .
Naughty Marietta
This French marigold ( T. patula ) has bright yellow petals with a dark-skinned maroon nerve center , all wrapped up in a midget little package .
This pretty cultivar stays under 14 inches improbable with a mounding growth substance abuse that make it hone for the edges of a container full of marvelous plants , or as a focal point all on its own .
Cultivars of this species are also typically regarded as more tolerant of wet conditions than other varieties may be .
‘ gamey Marietta ’
Eden Brothers carriessmall packets , one - ounce , and one-fourth - pound packages of ‘ Naughty Marietta . ’
Red Knight
Another single - bloom French marigold , ‘ Red Knight ’ adapts to its environment . In a flock , it stay a bit more compact at around a foot tall .
‘ Red Knight ’
The dark red flowers and yellow centers stand out against the deep fleeceable leaves .
Snap up software program of 500 seed at Burpee .
These plant do n’t have particularly deep or wide - spreading roots , so they do n’t need a massive amount of quad to survive . That say , a plant life with restricted roots wo n’t mature as bombastic as it would otherwise .
The required container size depends on the size of the plant you ’re growing . A miniature Gallic variety ( T. patula ) will need a mass less way than a massive Mexican marigold ( T. erecta ) , unless you ’re growing a dwarf cultivar .
Of naturally , you ’ll also need a large pot if you wish to develop several plants together .
In general , a undivided French specimen or even apot marigold(Calendula officinalis ) will be fine in a six - inch container . Each extra plant should have another six in of quad available .
An African or Mexican marigold typically take at least a 12 - inch raft for enough space to grow a single plant , and an extra 12 inch per flora .
The container fabric is n’t as important as it can sometimes be with other character of plants . These flowers are fairly happy whether they ’re in terra cotta , cementum , plastic , wood , or glazed clay .
Just keep in mind that terra cotta and wood tend to dry out out more quickly , while charge card and cementum can check in cold weather . Learn and the good materials to choose in our templet .
WhileTagetesplants are somewhat chill about the type of corporation that you put them in , the one thing you ca n’t skimp on is drainage . Your lot utterly , positively must have at least one drain mess .
If the planter is larger than 12 inches across , two or three hole are better .
Regardless of the container you choose , meet it up with a potting - specific mix , such as Fox Farm ’s Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix .
I swear by this stuff and nonsense for all my potted plants , indoors and out . To pick up a 12 - dry quart bag , pop over to Amazonto find these available severally or in packs of two or four .
Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix
Then , you have the option of planting seed or purchased beginning . The welfare to planting seedling is that , while they cost more , they mature and begin to blossom more quick .
For planting marigold seeds , we have a guidethat will take the air you through when and how to get the task done .
design on assign in twice as many seeds in each pot as you ’ll finally need , and hook the weaker seedling when they ’re a few inches tall .
If you ’re planting seedlings that you either buy or begin indoors in rise , wait until the last frost day of the month has fleet and dig a maw in the soil that ’s slenderly declamatory than the sizing of the seedling cell or nursery pot .
move out the seedling from its pot , tease apart the root a bit , and lower it into the hole . Firm around the stem clump with fresh potting soil .
Give the plants a good soaking so the dirt is damp but not wet . Add more soil if necessary so it reaches about a half - column inch below the sass of the container .
Place the pot somewhere that it will experience unmediated sun . If you have a spot next to a brick wall where other plants incline to wilt in the heat , marigold will be perfectly happy to fill that area for you .
Now , for the easy part : bask your flower . Your biggest Book of Job in parliamentary procedure to keep them attend their best will be providing wet .
If you live in a supremely ironical and live area , you plausibly already bang that sustain container moist is a challenge and a half .
Even though marigolds can tolerate drouth , I highly recommend using a container watering system , a ego - watering flowerpot , or a water incandescent lamp .
Plant Watering Globes
you could corrupt decorative water bulb for a song and they ’ll extend the clock time between necessary watering . Amazon carries14 - inch glass watering bulbs from Evelots in sets of two or four .
For everyone else , be trusted to add water once the top inch or two of ground has dried out .
You wo n’t ask to fertilise for the first month or so after embed since there should already be mess of nutrient in the potting soil that you used . After six week , append a balanced fertilizer load by one-half .
If you really need to make your flush well-chosen , habituate a plant food formulated for blooming plants .
I like Down to Earth ’s Rose & Flower Mix , not only because it ’s ideal for growing the biggest blossom , but because you may apply it indoors and out .
Down to Earth Rose & Flower Mix
Arbico Organicshas this horticulture raw material useable in one- , five- , and 15 - pound sterling packages .
Make These Cheery Flowers a Part of Your Patio Garden
Marigolds make a fantastic associate plantif you ’re growing pottedtomatoes , but they do n’t require a friend to shine . They ’re a reliable , beautiful option all on their own .
Next , if you want toexpand your noesis of uprise marigoldseven more , you might be interested in the chase :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . primitively published April 13th , 2022 . Last update April 17th , 2025 . mathematical product photograph via Arbico Organics , Burpee , Eden Brothers , Evelots , and Fox Farm . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Kristine Lofgren
