How to Grow and Care for Marigolds in South Carolina

Quick Guide to Growing Marigolds in South Carolina

Plant Type: Warm-season annual
Height/Spread: 6 inches to 3 feet tall, varies by cultivar
Sunlight Needs: Full sun (6 or more hours daily)
Soil Type: Well-drained loamy soil, slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 7.0)
Bloom Time: Early summer to frost
Water Needs: About 1 inch per week; let the soil dry between waterings
Uses in Landscape: Borders, mass plantings, containers, cut flowers, cover crops
Maintenance Tips: Remove spent blooms; stake tall African types if needed
Deer Resistance: Yes – foliage is strongly scented and unappealing to deer

About Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)

Marigolds are easy to grow, economical, bloom reliably all summer, and have few insect and disease problems. These bright, cheerful flowers thrive in South Carolina’s warm climate and are suitable for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Marigold Plant Size: Height and Spread

Plant height varies with the cultivar. Marigolds range in size from approximately 6 inches to 3 feet tall.

Ornamental Features of Marigolds

Marigold Flower Forms & Colors

Marigolds have cheery, pom-pom, anemone, or daisy-shaped inflorescences (flower cluster) in colors ranging from yellow and gold to orange, red, and mahogany. Some unique cultivars have striped, bicolor, or creamy white blooms.

Foliage Characteristics

Marigold leaves are finely cut and fernlike. The foliage is a rich dark green and is often strongly scented, making it deer resistant.

Primary Garden Species

The two main species grown in home gardens are:

• French marigold (Tagetes patula) – compact plants with smaller flowers.
• African marigold (Tagetes erecta) – larger plants with blooms up to 4 inches across.

How to Grow Marigolds in South Carolina

Marigolds are used for mass planting, edging, borders, cut flowers, and container plantings. Most varieties bloom from early summer to late fall, typically until a hard frost.

Site Selection & Sun Requirements

Marigolds require full sun and grow best in well-drained, loamy soil. Prepare flower beds by incorporating organic matter and cultivating the soil to a depth of 6 inches.
For best results, amend the soil prior to planting according to the results of a soil test. For more information on submitting a soil sample for testing, see HGIC 1652, Soil Testing.

Soil Requirements & pH Considerations

Marigolds prefer a slightly acidic soil. However, at a soil pH below 5.5, marigold leaves may develop a bronze speckled appearance due to manganese or iron toxicity.

Marigold Planting Time & Spacing

The ideal time to plant marigolds is after the last frost in spring.

Plant Spacing

• French Marigold Spacing – 8 to 10 inches apart.
• African Marigold Spacing – 12 to 16 inches apart.

Soil Preparation & Fertilizing Tips

In the absence of soil test results, a slow-release fertilizer formulated for annuals can be incorporated at the time of planting.

For information on how to prepare landscape beds for planting marigolds, see HGIC 1152, Growing Annuals.

Watering Marigolds

Water marigolds well at planting and keep the soil evenly moist for the first couple of weeks until they become established.
After establishment, marigolds grow well with about one inch of water per week.
In the absence of adequate rainfall, water the soil deeply once a week, allowing it to dry somewhat between waterings.

Ongoing Marigold Care & Maintenance

Remove the old flowers as they fade for continued bloom.
African marigolds may require staking to prevent the plants from falling over during storms.

Starting Marigolds from Seed

Marigolds can be purchased as transplants or seeds. Marigolds germinate quickly, are easy to grow from seed, and are an excellent choice for a beginning seed gardener.

Indoor Sowing

• Start seeds indoors at 70 to 75 °F, four to six weeks before the desired planting time.
• Start seed for African marigold cultivars indoors 8 weeks prior to planting outside.

Direct Sowing

• Once the soil has warmed and the danger of frost has passed, sow seeds directly into the garden.
• Plant the seed approximately ¼ inch deep and expect germination in 5 to 7 days.

Saving Seed from Open-Pollinated Cultivars

At the end of the season, seed can be saved from open-pollinated cultivars, but avoid saving seed from hybrid cultivars, as they may be sterile or produce offspring that do not resemble the parent plant.

Common Problems, Pests, & Diseases of Marigolds

Despite their reputation for repelling pests, some insects are attracted to marigolds. The following problems can occasionally occur in South Carolina gardens.

Common Marigold Problems

Although marigolds are often considered low-maintenance annuals, they can still experience a few insect and disease issues in South Carolina gardens. Understanding these common problems helps gardeners respond quickly and maintain healthy plants.

Insect Pests on Marigolds

Marigolds may be affected by several common garden insects:

• Spider mites – Often appear in hot, dry conditions; cause stippling or webbing on leaves.
• Slugs – Feed on foliage and flowers, especially in damp areas.
• Leafminers – Create winding trails inside leaves.
• Aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and caterpillars – Suck sap or chew foliage and flowers, weakening plants.

Monitor plants regularly and take prompt control measures when pests appear.

For organic management options, see HGIC 2771, Insecticidal Soaps for Garden Pest Control.

Marigold Diseases

Marigolds are susceptible to a few diseases caused by viruses, fungi, and bacteria.

Viral Diseases

• Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV)
• Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV)
• Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV)
• Aster Yellows (phytoplasma disease)

Symptoms include spots or rings on the leaves, chlorosis (yellowing leaves with green veins), and stunted or distorted growth.
Whiteflies, thrips, or aphids typically spread viruses, whereas Aster yellows is spread by leafhoppers that feed on infected plants.

Fungal & Bacterial Issues

Occasional fungal and bacterial problems include:

• Fungal stem and root rots
• Fungal leaf spots
• Gray mold (Botrytis blight)
• Bacterial wilt

For more information on managing fungal problems, see HGIC 2100, Gray Mold (Botrytis Blight).

Marigold Species & Cultivars

Marigolds are native to subtropical America and have been cultivated in Mexico for over 2,000 years. Marigold cultivars are usually sold as part of a series with similar growth characteristics and a wide range of colors.

African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta)

Also commonly known as American marigolds, these cultivars feature large, double flowers from midsummer to frost.
African marigolds are excellent bedding plants that can grow as tall as 36 inches, making them ideal for background plantings and as cut flowers.

Popular Cultivars

• ‘Antigua™’ series – Compact (12 to 16 inches tall); mounded habit with 3-inch double blooms in gold, orange, primrose, yellow, and mix.
• ‘Big Duck’ hybrids – Extremely heat tolerant; bloom heavily through season’s end; 2019 All-America Selections (AAS) winners (gold, orange, yellow).
• ‘Crackerjack’ – Open-pollinated mix; large blooms on 3-foot plants; less uniform; colors include gold, orange, primrose, and yellow.
• ‘Inca II™’ hybrids – Stocky 12–14-inch plants with large, double flowers; available in gold, orange, primrose, yellow, and mix.
• ‘Marvel II™’ hybrids – Large flowers on well-branched, weather-resistant plants; gold, orange, yellow, and mix.
• ‘Vanilla’ – Hybrid with creamy-white 3-inch blooms.

French Marigolds (Tagetes patula)

French marigolds are small, bushy plants with flowers that can reach up to 2 inches across. Their blooms are described as single, anemone, or crested in yellow, orange, or mahogany-red shades.

French Marigold Flower Types

• Single – One outer row of petals
• Anemone – Large, flattened outer petals and a ruffled center
• Crested – Shorter, densely ruffled petals at the center that appear like a distinct central tuft

Plant height ranges from 6 to 18 inches, and they hold up better in rainy weather than the larger African marigolds.

Popular Cultivars

• ‘Bonanza™’ series – double-crested blooms; 10 to 12 inches tall
  • Colors include
    • ‘Bee’ (burgundy tipped in yellow)
    • ‘Bolero’ (gold with red tips)
    • ‘Harmony’ (mahogany with an orange center)
    • ‘Flame’ (an orange/burgundy bicolor)
    • Gold, yellow, deep orange
• ‘Disco’ series – Single flowers
  • Colors include
    • ‘Marietta’ (yellow with a mahogany center)
    • Orange, red, and yellow
• ‘Durango®’ series – Anemone-flowered; well-branched, 10–12 inches tall
  • Colors include
    • ‘Bee’ (burgundy tipped in yellow)
    • ‘Bolero’ (gold with red tips)
    • ‘Flame’ (an orange/burgundy bicolor)
    • Gold, orange, red, tangerine, and yellow.
• ‘Hot Pak™’ series – Compact (7 inches tall), extremely heat/humidity tolerant
  • Colors include
    • ‘Fire’ (gold/burgundy bicolor)
    • ‘Flame’ (an orange/burgundy bicolor)
    • Gold, orange, and yellow
    • ‘Harmony’ (mahogany with an orange center)
    • ‘Spry’ (mahogany with a gold center)
• ‘Naughty Marietta’ – Open-pollinated, single-flowered type; yellow petals with mahogany base
• ‘Super Hero™’ series – Compact (10 inches tall)
  • Colors include
    • ‘Spry’ (maroon outer petals and golden center); 2018 AAS Winner
    • ‘Harmony’ (mahogany with an orange center)
    • ‘Orange Flame’ (orange/red bicolor with yellow tips)
    • ‘Orange Bee’ (orange/maroon bicolor)
    • ‘Yellow Bee’ (yellow/maroon bicolor)
    • Orange and yellow
• ‘Safari’ series – Anemone-type 3-inch flowers on 14-inch plants
  • Colors include
    • ‘Bolero’ (yellow with red tips)
    • ‘Yellow Fire’ (maroon with yellow tips)
    • Gold, orange, red, scarlet, tangerine, and yellow

Interspecific Hybrid Marigolds

The ‘Zenith™’ series is a cross between French and African marigold species.
Plants reach 14 inches in height and produce 2–3 inch double blooms in deep orange, golden yellow, lemon yellow, orange, red-and-gold bicolor, red, and yellow.

Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia)

Small, bushy plants with fernlike, lemon-scented foliage, signet marigolds have lacier leaves than other species.
They bear small, single yellow, orange, or rust-red flowers through summer.
Their blooms are edible, with a spicy tarragon flavor.
If blooming slows during midsummer, shear plants by one-third to encourage more blossoms in cooler weather.

Common Cultivars

• ‘Golden Gem’ and ‘Lemon Gem’ – 8 inches tall, dense, with tiny bright flowers.

Mexican Marigold (Tagetes lemonii)

A perennial shrub native to the southwestern U.S., hardy in USDA zones 8–11.
The strongly scented leaves have an aroma like lemon and mint.
Plants reach 3 feet tall and produce small, golden daisy-like flowers in spring and fall.

Spanish Tarragon (Tagetes lucida)

This anise-flavored marigold grows 3 feet tall and blooms in fall with many small, simple flowers. It is an excellent substitute for tarragon, where the climate is too hot and humid for true tarragon to survive.

Irish Lace Marigold (Tagetes filifolia)

A short plant with lacy leaves and tiny white florets, grown for its beauty and delicate, licorice-scented, dark green foliage.

Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

Although commonly called marigold, pot marigold is not a true marigold.
This cool-season annual is grown for its bright yellow and orange flowers.
It can be planted for early spring bloom near the coast or spring or fall bloom in the rest of South Carolina.
Pot marigolds are often grown as herbs.

Marigolds as Cover Crops for Nematode Control

Some marigold cultivars serve a dual purpose in the garden, combining ornamental beauty with natural pest suppression in the soil. When planted as a cover crop, several marigold cultivars have been found to suppress root-knot nematodes in the soil.

Best Marigold Cultivars for Nematode Suppression

French marigold cultivars ‘Tangerine’ and ‘Single Gold’ (Tagetes patula ‘Tangerine’, and Tagetes patula ‘Single Gold’) have shown resistance to several root-knot nematode species.

Limitations of Intercropping

Intercropping marigolds for nematode control is not effective in protecting nearby plants and is not recommended.

For more information on root knot nematode control, please see HGIC 2216, Root Knot Nematode Control in the Vegetable Garden.

Document last updated on 11/25 by Jordan Franklin.

Originally published 03/99