Planting marigolds in your garden—especially alongside those homegrown tomatoes—comes with a bunch of benefits. They’re not just pretty; they’re practical too. Here are 6 Reasons Why Marigolds Need To Be In Your Garden 👇🏻:
1. Pest Repellent
- Marigolds (especially French marigolds) release a strong scent from their roots and foliage that repels pests like nematodes (microscopic root-eating worms), aphids, whiteflies, and even some beetles.
- The compound alpha-terthienyl in their roots is toxic to certain soil pests, making them a natural pest control ally for tomatoes, potatoes, and other veggies. They really do work! I sprinkle seeds in all of my beds.
2. Pollinator Attraction
- Their bright yellow, orange, and red blooms draw in pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. More pollinators mean better fruit set for crops like tomatoes that rely on pollination (even if tomatoes are mostly self-pollinating, a little help doesn’t hurt).
- Bonus: You get to see these beautiful pollinators flying all over in the garden. They are not only beneficial but pretty to look at.
3. Soil Health
- Marigolds’ roots break up soil and add organic matter when they decompose, improving drainage and structure over time.
- They’re known to suppress some soil-borne fungi and diseases when rotated or interplanted.
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4. Easy and Low Maintenance
- Marigolds are hardy, drought-tolerant, and thrive in full sun—perfect alongside your veggies. They don’t compete heavily for nutrients, so they won’t steal from your main crops.
5. Aesthetic Bonus
- They add a pop of color, making your garden look vibrant. When growing vegetables, I not only love seeing the blossoms on the plants, but I love looking at pretty flowers. Along with Marigolds, I plant Sunflowers, Zinnias, Wildflowers and more!
6. Companion Planting Boost
- When planted near tomatoes, marigolds can improve growth and flavor indirectly by reducing pest pressure. I also love planting Basil with my tomatoes. Marigolds are fantastic companion plants because they deter pests like nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects like pollinators. They pair well with a variety of vegetables, enhancing garden health and productivity. Plant them everywhere! See below for my list of veggies and what Marigolds deter per each plant.
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Vegetables That Thrive Alongside Marigolds
- Tomatoes: Marigolds help repel tomato hornworms and nematodes that attack tomato roots. Their strong scent masks tomatoes from pests, and they may improve soil health by suppressing root-knot nematodes.
- Cucumbers: Marigolds deter cucumber beetles and aphids, which can damage cucumber vines. They also attract pollinators, boosting cucumber yields.
- Squash and Zucchini: These plants benefit from marigolds’ ability to repel squash bugs and beetles. Planting marigolds nearby can reduce pest pressure on these heavy feeders.
- Peppers: Marigolds protect peppers from aphids and spider mites. Their vibrant blooms also draw pollinators, aiding pepper fruit set.
- Eggplant: Marigolds ward off flea beetles and nematodes that target eggplants. They create a protective barrier when planted around eggplant rows.
There’s More…
- Beans: Marigolds deter Mexican bean beetles and other pests that munch on bean foliage. They’re especially helpful with bush beans.
- Cabbage, Kale, and Other Brassicas: Marigolds repel cabbage worms and aphids, common pests for broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. Their scent confuses these pests, reducing damage.
- Potatoes: Marigolds help deter potato beetles, a major threat to potato crops. Planting them between rows can create a natural pest barrier.
- Onions and Garlic: Marigolds complement these alliums by repelling onion flies and other pests while attracting beneficial insects to the garden.
- Carrots: Marigolds can mask the scent of carrots, deterring carrot root flies. Their nematode-repelling properties also improve soil for carrot growth.
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Tip
- Plant French marigolds (Tagetes patula) for max pest control; African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are taller and better for visual impact. Space them about 8-12 inches apart around your plants for best results. Thin as they are growing. They will get big.
Benefits of Raised Garden Beds
I’ve been gardening for around 20 years. I started out with the standard, “in the ground” garden. It worked fine until I was tired of all the weeds I was always pulling (or not pulling 🤦🏼♀️). I came across the Back to Eden gardening method and decided to try this out. It did help a lot with the weeds but I was still getting them in the ground. See this post about How To Keep Weeds Out of the Garden.
I switched over to raised beds about 4-5 years ago. The garden went through some galvanized and wood beds (the ultimately rotted) and now I have these pretty metal beds. Read all about the Benefits of Raised Garden Beds.
How To Harvest Your Own Marigolds Seeds
Have you ever heard the word “deadheading”? That’s when you pull off the flower from a plant that has stopped growing. They are the ones that are dead. You literally just pull the flower off. They will shrivel up and become easy just to snap off.
I like to lay mine all on a towel. You’ll then open up the dried flower and pull out all the straight pieces. Those are the seeds. Pretty cool how that works! Here’s my step-by-step process:
Timing
Let the marigold flowers fade and dry out naturally on the plant. This usually happens late in the growing season, around late summer or fall (depending on your climate). The petals will shrivel, and the flower head will turn brown and crispy. The seeds are ready when the flower head feels dry to the touch.
Identify the Seed Head
Once the flower dries, the base of the flower (the calyx) will contain the seeds. Marigold seeds are long, slender, and needle-like, with a dark (usually black or brown) body and a lighter (white or tan) tip.
Cut or Pinch the Flower Heads
Use scissors or your fingers to snip or pinch off the dried flower heads. Collect them in a bowl, basket, or paper bag to avoid losing seeds. It’s best to do this on a dry day to prevent moisture from affecting the seeds.
Separate the Seeds
Gently crush or pull apart the dried flower heads over a clean surface (like a plate or tray). The seeds will fall out from the base where the petals were attached. You might need to tease them out with your fingers if they’re stuck. Discard the dried petals and husks.
Clean the Seeds
Remove any chaff or debris by sifting the seeds through your fingers or blowing lightly to separate the lighter waste from the heavier seeds. You don’t need them perfectly clean, but this helps with storage.
Dry the Seeds (If Needed)
If the seeds feel slightly damp or you harvested after a rainy spell, spread them out in a single layer on a paper towel or screen in a well-ventilated, dry spot for a day or two. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, which can damage them.
How to Store the Seeds
Place the fully dry seeds in a paper envelope, small jar, or airtight container. Label it with the marigold variety and date (e.g., “French Marigold, April 2025”). Store in a cool, dark, dry place—think a cupboard or drawer—where they’ll stay viable for 1-3 years.
Tips:
- Harvest from healthy, vigorous plants for the best seed quality.
- If you’re growing multiple marigold varieties close together, they might cross-pollinate, so the seeds could produce slightly different flowers next year.
- Wear gloves if you’re handling a lot, as the dried heads can be prickly.
That’s it! You’ll have a stash of seeds ready to sow when the next planting season rolls around.
I hope this has inspired you to plant Marigold’s in your vegetable garden. I’d love to see photos of your garden with all the pretty flowers blooming. Tag me over on Instagram.
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