French Marigold
Ready to harvest
French marigold (Tagetes patula) is a bright bedding annual, better known as a companion plant than a food crop, though the petals are edible.
What it's used for
It comes in a range of vivid colours, and marigold petals can be used to add visual appeal to salads and rice. They can also be used as cake decoration and are used in spices in the Caucasus and Northern India. In the UK, marigolds are mainly grown as a pest-deterrent companion plant near vegetables.
Grow your own at home
French marigold will grow easily in any sunny spot. Be sure to regularly deadhead it to keep it flowering.
It’s best sown from March to May, under cover.
You can pick flowers throughout the summer period.
Our planting guides are designed to help you get the best from your fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Every garden is unique, so growing conditions, weather, soil, and climate can affect results. Use this information as a helpful guide, and adapt it to suit your local conditions and gardening experience. Happy growing!
