Marigolds aren’t just for cooking—they’re also great for attracting butterflies. These beautiful insects are often on the move, so you need to provide them with a reliable source of nectar. Marigolds are one of the easiest flowers to grow, so you can make your yard a meadow in no time. Keep reading to discover how to grow marigolds and attract butterflies.

What are Marigolds?

Marigolds are members of the genus ‘Tagetes’, which contains 300+ species of annual or perennial plants. Marigolds are easy to grow, require little maintenance, and make great additions to any sunny garden. They can be grown in containers, raised beds, and even in the ground. Marigolds are easy to grow, require little maintenance, and make great additions to any sunny garden. They can be grown in containers, raised beds, and even in the ground.

Where to Grow Marigolds

Marigolds can be grown in a variety of conditions, making them a great choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners. They’re easy to grow in most soils, but do best in well-drained soil. If you have clay soil, add compost or manure to improve the quality of your soil. They can be grown in containers, raised beds, and even in the ground.

How to Grow Marigolds

If you’re growing your marigolds from seed, you can expect them to take between 60 and 80 days to mature. Once they’re growing, they only require occasional watering to stay healthy. Their foliage dies back in the fall, and the seeds ripen and turn from green to orange, red, or black. If you’re growing your marigolds from seed, you can expect them to take between 60 and 80 days to mature. Once they’re growing, they only require occasional watering to stay healthy. Their foliage dies back in the fall, and the seeds ripen and turn from green to orange, red, or black.

How to Care for Marigolds

You can grow marigolds in your yard year-round, but they’re at their best when temperatures are warm and sunny. Like most plants, they require filtered sunlight, So, make sure to grow them in a location that gets morning sun, or place them in a spot that gets shade during the hottest part of the day. While they can withstand some rain, they perform best in well-drained soil. You can grow marigolds in your yard year-round, but they’re at their best when temperatures are warm and sunny. Like most plants, they require filtered sunlight, So, make sure to grow them in a location that gets morning sun, or place them in a spot that gets shade during the hottest part of the day. While they can withstand some rain, they perform best in well-drained soil.

Soil and Watering

Make sure to check the soil moisture between watering to ensure that the root zone is moist, but not soggy. If the soil is too wet, the marigolds will rot. On the other hand, if the soil is too dry, the marigolds may not produce enough foliage to provide adequate attracting pollen. Marigolds are not particular about the soil pH, either, so you can also grow them in most soils. Just be sure to provide them with adequate water.

Light and Temperature

Keep marigolds growing in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct, filtered sunlight. Try to avoid planting them near trees with dense foliage, as they may shade the flowers. Marigolds are not particular about the soil temperature, either, so you can also grow them in most soils.

Summary

Marigolds are easy to grow, require little maintenance, and make great additions to any sunny garden. They can be grown in containers, raised beds, and even in the ground. There are many different types of marigolds, and it can be hard to know which type to buy. Plant your marigolds in full sun, in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct, filtered sunlight. Once they are mature and blooming, begin to cut back on their watering and feed them a little bit of compost. The best time to do this is in the fall, after the blooms have finished, but before the foliage dies back in the winter. This will encourage the plant to produce more seeds so you can replant the same flowers next season.