French Marigold
Tagetes patula
flowerThe French marigold is a compact, bushy annual smothered in gold, orange, and mahogany blooms from spring to frost, with pungent, ferny foliage. One of the most famous companion plants in the vegetable garden, it is valued not just for color but for suppressing root-knot nematodes in the soil and drawing hoverflies and other beneficial insects.
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Sun
full sun
💧
Water
Every 3 days
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Bloom
~50 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
8-10 in. apart
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Planting Depth
1/4 in.
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 2 – 11
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Usually none; lean soil is fine
Fertilizer
None to minimal; avoid nitrogen
🌱 Growing Guide
Direct sow or transplant after the last frost in full sun; French marigolds tolerate poor soil and drought and bloom hardest when not overfed. Deadhead regularly to keep them flowering continuously, and for nematode control, plant a dense block of marigolds a full season ahead of the crop you want to protect, since the suppression comes from the growing roots rather than a single plant.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first bloom
Jun 18
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Tomatoes — Helps suppress root-knot nematodes that attack tomato roots
- Peppers — Deters nematodes and aphids nearby
- Squash — Draws hoverflies and bees to the patch
- Beans — Adds nectar for the beneficial insects beans rely on
❌ Keep away from
Beans
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Plant a dense stand a season ahead, as the roots release compounds that suppress nematodes
Avoid hot, dry, dusty stress and rinse foliage when mites appear
Protect young seedlings with traps and hand-picking after dark
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Deadhead spent blooms regularly to keep the plant flowering and cut small sprays for bouquets, picking in the cool morning. Leave a few flowers to dry on the plant late in the season if you want to collect seed to save or let them self-sow.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
French marigold is grown as an ornamental and companion plant rather than for eating, but it protects nearby crops, its roots suppressing soil nematodes while the blooms draw pollinators and pest-eating hoverflies.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
Low toxicity. Marigold sap can cause a phototoxic skin reaction - redness, burning, and blistering - where it touches skin that is then exposed to sunlight, and the strong scent of the flowers can irritate the eyes and nose, so wear gloves if you are sensitive when handling or deadheading. The petals are sometimes used as an edible garnish, but the plant is grown as an ornamental and companion plant rather than for eating.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.