Are Marigolds Perennials?

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Are marigolds perennials or annuals? That is a great question and the answer may surprise you!

The short answer is yes, some marigolds are perennial. This means they will come back year after year.

The long answer is a little more complicated. Depending on the variety of marigolds, they may be annual or perennial.

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Annual Marigolds

French and African Marigolds are the most commonly thought of when people use the term marigold. Both of them are annuals.

What Are Perennial Marigolds?

This is where you get the answer and which marigolds are perennial.

Mexican marigolds are perennials and so are pot marigolds (Calendula officinalis).

(Calendulas are in a whole other class so we will discuss those in a different post.)

This is where the botanical name will help. I have seen the Mexican Marigolds (Tagetes lemmoni) lumped in with the African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta), which can happen when we use the common name for plants.

The photo below is of a true perennial marigold, Mexican Marigold (Tagetes lemmoni) . This photo is courtesy of Annie’s Annuals which sells this hard-to-find, gorgeous plant.

Mexican Marigold aka Perennial Marigold

This almost ever-blooming shrub flowers all year long with its most exceptional display in Winter!

2” bright yellow marigold-esque flowers bloom in profusion on a 4’x6’ somewhat sprawling shrub with finely cut delicate leaves renowned for their fragrant musky mint scent. 

Tolerates clay and fairly non-fertile soils – try it in places where “nothing grows”! Exceptionally deer resistant and drought tolerant after being established for a year.

They make a great food source for hungry butterflies and bees during those months of scarcity.

Prune at any time for the best shape or to control size. And don’t worry, it will bounce back after a freeze.

Some people are sensitive to the oils in the foliage so wear protective clothing when pruning. (description from Annies Annuals) Zones 8-11

More Marigold Flowers

Then there are the Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia also known as Tagetes signata) which are annuals and the flowers are flatter rather than dome-shaped.

Again, as stated before African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are annuals like the French Marigolds (Tagetes patula) and they tend to have the same form.

Now that we’ve answered the question, “are marigolds perennial?” let’s explore some more interesting facts about these beautiful flowers.

Marigolds belong to the Asteraceae family, which also includes daisies, chrysanthemums, and zinnias.

The name “marigold” comes from the Old English word for “golden flower.”
Marigolds were introduced to Europe in the late 15th century by Spanish explorers returning from Central America.

Marigolds have been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat a variety of ailments including jaundice, wounds, and headaches.

In India, marigolds are often used in religious ceremonies and as decorations at weddings because they are said to bring good luck.

Some entomologists believe that French marigolds release a chemical that repels nematodes—tiny parasitic worms that live in the soil and damage plant roots. But this has not been proven.

While most species of marigolds are yellow or orange, there are also varieties that are white or red.

White Marigolds

These are the White Marigolds I found seeds for at Park Seeds.

All the white marigolds I have found tend to have a tint of yellow in their color but they are still so gorgeous and easy to grow!

Marigolds can grow anywhere from 6 inches to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety. As you can see, there is a lot more to these flowers than meets the eye! Whether you choose to plant annual or perennial varieties, you’re sure to enjoy their cheerful blooms for years to come.

In many gardens, marigolds will reseed themselves and grow for you again the following season making them seem like a perennial. You can read all about plants that readily reseed in this post I shared.

Until next time, Happy Gardening!

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