How to Deadhead Marigolds to Keep Blooms Coming
Marigolds hold significance in Dia De Los Muertos Celebrations
Marigolds are more than just garden workhorses. In fact, their bright orange blooms carry cultural significance that reaches far beyond the garden bed. With Dia De Los Muertos only 8 weeks away (November 1), marigolds (Tagetes erecta) play a central role in Mexican celebrations honoring the deceased. Having minored in Spanish in college, this holiday has always fascinated me. The bright colors, the alters to remember loved ones, the feasts, and the festivals are some things that make this holiday so unique and special. I love that the Mexican culture uses this holiday to honor and celebrate those who came before them and they look at death a bit differently. It’s part of life and something that can be honored without doom, gloom, and fear. As we approach Dia De Los Muertos, marigolds (or cempasúchil) take on special meaning in Mexican culture. These vibrant orange blooms are believed to guide the spirits of loved ones back to the world of the living, their bright colors and strong scent attracting souls back to Earth. If you’re thinking about adding marigolds to your garden or even using them for a special occasion, it’s not too late! You can plant them now and still get flowers in time for this special holiday.
Marigolds are one of our summer-flowering favorites, bursting with vibrant, bright flowers that thrive in full sun. With the right care, these plants will keep pumping out new blooms from spring until frost. If you already have marigolds growing in your garden, one of the most important tasks to keep marigolds blooming is deadheading. Deadheading involves removing spent blooms to encourage the plant’s energy to go toward producing new flowers instead of developing a seed head.
Deadheading for Best Results
Deadheading marigolds is one of the best ways to encourage continuous flowering and keep your marigold plants looking tidy and healthy. When a flower head begins to fade, it’s signaling to the plant that its job is done – it’s time to focus on producing seeds, not new flowers. By removing the fading flower (or spent flowers), you redirect the plant’s energy toward creating new blooms instead. Deadheading also helps create a bushier plant.
How to Deadhead Marigolds:
Identify spent blooms: Look for flower heads that have lost their vibrant color and are starting to dry out.
Pinch or cut them off: Using sharp scissors or your fingers, cut off the spent bloom just above the nearest set of leaves.
Dispose of the deadheads: Leaving them on the ground can invite fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Keep your garden beds clean for tidy-looking plants. If there are no signs of disease, compost these spent blooms.
Regular deadheading leads to lots of marigolds and fewer seed heads, extending the blooming season all the way through late fall.
Marigold Types and Their Care
African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta): These tall, striking marigolds are perfect for cut flower beds. They’re a good idea for gardeners looking to add height and drama to their space, and they bloom right through until frost.
French Marigolds (Tagetes patula): These compact, bushier plants are excellent as companion plants in the vegetable garden, particularly for keeping away pests.
Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia): These smaller marigold flowers are delicate and airy, perfect for adding bright flowers to window boxes or garden walkways.
Triploid Marigolds (Hybrid Marigolds): Triploid Marigolds are hybrid marigolds that cross an African Marigold with a French Marigold. This results in a dwarf plant with large blooms like the African marigold, but a short stature like the French marigold. These plants do not set seed so you do not have to worry about deadheading for a continuous display of flowers though you still may want to maintain a beautiful display.
A Note about Scent plus an Alternative: While the scent of marigolds can be off-putting to some, it's important to note that the strong smell comes mainly from the foliage, not the flowers. So, if you're harvesting them from your cut flower bed, simply strip off the foliage and toss it into the compost pile. This will keep the scent from enveloping your home while still letting you enjoy the vibrant blooms. If you'd like to avoid marigolds altogether, I recommend growing Pot Marigolds (calendula officinalis). As you can see from the botanical name in parentheses, pot marigolds aren't in the marigold family at all. True marigolds are part of the tagetes species. Pot marigolds are quick to grow and come in both bright and more muted tones.
Seed Saving for Next Year
When your marigold plants have finally finished blooming at the end of the season, don’t forget to save the seeds for the following year. Allow the expired bloom to fully dry on the plant, then collect the flower heads. Peel the flower heads open and you will find marigold seeds. Store them in a paper bag or envelope and keep them dry until you're ready to plant in the Spring. This is a good idea for gardeners looking to save costs and enjoy a self-sustaining flower garden. Note that Triploid Marigolds won’t set seed as they are sterile hybrids, so focus on African and French marigolds for seed-saving. Pot marigolds (calendula officinalis) are also incredibly easy to save see from, Follow the same process. Calendula seeds and Marigold seeds look totally different from each other further explaining why they are not the same species.
Wrap Up
Marigolds are truly a garden staple, offering vibrant colors, pest-deterrent benefits, and a long blooming season, especially when deadheaded regularly. Whether you’re growing African, French, Signet, or Triploid marigolds, each type adds its own unique flair to your garden. Don't be discouraged by their scent—it's a small price to pay for their beauty and resilience. Plus, with a quick strip of foliage before bringing them inside, you can enjoy their cheerful blooms without the strong odor. And with Dia de los Muertos just around the corner, consider planting marigolds now so they’re ready in time for this significant celebration. Keep deadheading, saving seeds, and tending to your marigolds to ensure they keep your garden vibrant for seasons to come.
Keep Blooming,
Nicole Dillon
Owner of Breemar Flower Farm | Founder of Your Garden Pathway | Ashland, VA | Zone 7b
