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Knowing when to start marigold seeds indoors will allow you to time planting them outdoors perfectly. This is particularly important if you hope to see blooms early in the summer, or if you live in an area that is prone to frosts in the late spring or even early summer that could kill your plants.
Growing marigolds from seed is pretty effortless: they require full sun and grow best in well-drained, loamy soil, according to the experts at Clemson University’s Home & Garden Information Center.
However, marigolds are annuals, which means that the flower completes its life cycle in one growing season, so you will need to sow new seeds each year.
Can You Grow Marigolds Inside? A Guide to Indoor Marigold Gardening
Marigolds are a popular garden flower known for their bright colors and ability to bloom all season long. Their cheery disposition makes them a favorite for gardeners worldwide. Traditionally grown outdoors, some people wonder if it’s possible to grow marigolds inside as well. The good news is that certain varieties of marigolds can be grown indoors successfully with proper care.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about growing marigolds inside, including:
- Benefits of Growing Marigolds Indoors
- Best Varieties for Indoor Growing
- Indoor Growing Conditions
- When to Plant
- How to Plant Marigold Seeds
- Ongoing Care
- Troubleshooting Common Problems
Let’s get started!
Benefits of Growing Marigolds Indoors
There are many benefits to growing marigolds inside:
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Year-Round Blooms – Marigolds are prolific bloomers. Growing them indoors allows you to enjoy their flowers all year long.
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Color and Fragrance – Marigolds come in a range of bright, cheery colors like yellow, orange, red and variated shades Many have a lovely, light fragrance as well This makes them excellent for indoor decoration.
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Pollinator-Friendly – Marigolds attract bees and butterflies. Growing them indoors brings these friendly pollinators inside.
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Pest Deterrent – Marigolds contain pyrethrum compounds that naturally deter certain pests like mosquitos, nematodes and even deer. Keeping them near open windows can help deter these pests from entering your home.
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Culinary Use – Signet marigold flowers are edible and often used in salads or as garnish. Their citrusy taste and aroma enhances many dishes.
Best Varieties for Growing Indoors
When choosing marigold varieties for indoor growing, compact size is key. Look for dwarf or patio type marigolds that grow 6-12 inches tall. Some top varieties include:
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French Marigolds – A very popular variety perfect for indoor growing. Plants grow 6-12 inches tall and produce abundant single or double flowers in shades of yellow, orange, mahogany and bicolors. Sweetly fragrant.
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Signet Marigolds – Also known as gem marigolds. These produce edible small, single flowers with lemon-citrus flavor. Plants grow 6-12 inches tall.
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Triploid Marigolds – A hybrid cross that produces large, lush blooms on compact 10 inch plants. Sterile so all energy goes into flowering.
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African Marigolds – Stick to dwarf varieties like ‘Little Hero’ which stays under 1 foot tall. tolerates heat well.
Avoid large African marigolds which can grow over 2 feet tall and are not suited for indoor growing.
Indoor Growing Conditions
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Container – Plant one seed per 4 inch pot or 3 seeds spaced a few inches apart in a larger container. Make sure pots have drainage.
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Soil – Use a good quality potting mix. Marigolds thrive in average garden soil.
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Light – Marigolds need full sun – at least 5 hours of direct sun per day. South facing windows are ideal. Supplement with grow lights.
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Temperature – Marigolds prefer warm temperatures between 65-70°F. Don’t let night temps dip below 50°F.
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Water – Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when top inch becomes dry. Good drainage is important.
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Fertilizer – Use a balanced fertilizer when planting. Switch to a high phosphorous fertilizer once blooming.
When to Plant Marigold Seeds Indoors
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Spring – For spring blooms, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date.
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Summer – For summer blooms, sow seeds indoors in late spring/early summer.
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Fall/Winter – For winter blooms, start seeds in summer/early fall. Time soplants are around 6 inches tall before bringing them inside for winter.
How to Plant Marigold Seeds
Marigold seeds sprout readily indoors. Follow these steps for success:
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Fill starter pots with moist seed starting mix. For each pot, plant 1-3 seeds 1⁄4 inch deep.
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Cover seeds lightly with mix. Gently water until moist.
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Place pots on heat mat or warm area to maintain 65-70°F soil temp.
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Cover pots with plastic wrap to retain moisture until sprouts emerge.
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Remove covering once seedlings sprout in 5-10 days. Provide ample light.
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Thin to 1 seedling per pot once 2 sets of true leaves appear.
Ongoing Care
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Water plants regularly, allowing soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Do not let soil become bone dry.
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Apply fertilizer every 2-4 weeks according to package directions.
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Pinch off spent blooms to encourage new flowering.
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Turn plants weekly and prune leggy growth to encourage bushy plants.
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Watch for aphids, spider mites, whiteflies and powdery mildew. Treat any pests promptly.
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Marigolds may need transplanting to larger pots as they grow.
Troubleshooting Problems
Here are some common problems and solutions for growing marigolds indoors:
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Seeds Not Germinating – Ensure soil stays warm and moist. Soak seeds before planting. Replace with fresh seeds if none sprout after 2 weeks.
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Leggy Growth – Increase sunlight, use grow lights, turn plants regularly and pinch back tips.
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Flowers Not Blooming – Marigolds need at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day to bloom well. Supplement natural light with grow lights.
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Powdery Mildew – Improve air circulation. Water at soil level only. Apply neem oil or sulfur fungicide.
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Pests – Wipe leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove severely infested plants to prevent spreading.
With the right variety choice, setup and care you can successfully grow marigolds indoors. The end result will be lovely homegrown flowers to brighten up your living space all year round.
When to sow Calendula marigold seeds
Being a hardy annual, pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) can be sown under cover in a greenhouse or on a windowsill in March, April or May for summer flowers the same year. You can also sow the seeds indoors in August or September for flowers the following year.
When should you start marigold seeds indoors?
If you decide to move forward with starting your marigold seeds inside instead of in your garden, it’s key to start about six to eight weeks before your specific area’s anticipated last frost date.
And while it’s not possible to know exactly when that last frost will be, experts suggest researching the average last frost date for your area to help inform your choice. Typically, this means sowing the seeds in March, April, or early May.
The six to eight weeks of lead time means that the marigolds will be ready to transplant outdoors when your local warm season starts.
There are two main types of marigold: Calendula and Tagetes. Calendula are better for cutting, but both can be used for companion planting in the vegetable garden or for ornamental color. Our guide has details on when to plant marigolds of either type.
Marigold Flowers 101: Planting, Care & Harvesting for These Beautiful, Beneficial Pollinators
FAQ
How do you keep marigolds alive indoors?
Marigold plants thrive in moist soil conditions. If the soil dries out completely, the roots will die back, making recovery difficult. Conversely, roots exposed to standing water can rot. A Ceramic Self Watering Planter filled with standard potting mix helps maintain consistent soil moisture.
How to grow marigolds in pots indoors?
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Pot Size:A 6-inch pot is suitable for a single French marigold, while larger pots (10-12 inches) are needed for African or Mexican marigolds.
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Drainage:Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent soggy soil, which can lead to root rot.
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Potting Mix:Use a good quality, lightweight potting mix designed for containers. You can also add a handful of sand, perlite, or vermiculite to improve drainage.
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Soil:Marigolds prefer fertile, well-draining soil.
How long does it take marigolds to grow indoors?
Marigolds germinate quickly, sprouting within a few days and blooming in about 8 weeks, making them easy to grow from seed.
Can marigolds live in the house?
Growing marigolds indoors allows you to enjoy their blooms year-round regardless of the weather conditions outside. However, this plant has a significant thirst for sunlight, which means they’ll only thrive indoors near a suitably sunny window or with a supplemental grow light.
Can marigolds grow indoors?
When growing marigolds indoors, place them in a south-facing window for maximum sun exposure. You may need to move them throughout the day to ensure they spend at least six hours in direct sunlight. In the winter, your marigolds might need to spend some time under a grow light. Be prepared to water your marigold plant often when growing it indoors.
Are Marigolds a good houseplant?
Marigolds are a great houseplant because they require little attention, grow quickly, and can be used to make your home smell good. Marigold plants grow very quickly and easily. You can use them in your kitchen garden right from scratch. Just add some soil to the containers you have collected, plant marigolds seeds in it and water it regularly.
Can you grow marigolds from seed?
Marigolds are one of the most popular annuals to grow from seed because starting them from seed is so easy. The seeds are large and easy to handle, and you don’t have to wait long for them to germinate. No wonder marigolds are a favorite flower to plant with kids, either at home or in school projects.
Can marigolds grow in pots?
Marigolds need full sun and a reasonably fertile, well-drained soil. Smaller marigolds make good edging plants for borders and do well in pots, while taller or larger-flowered marigolds can be grown in containers. Marihuana is a member of the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and melons.
Can marigolds grow in winter?
In the winter, your marigolds might need to spend some time under a grow light. Be prepared to water your marigold plant often when growing it indoors. The soil in containers naturally dries out faster than the soil in the ground. However, marigolds do not like wet soil, so avoid over-watering.
Are marigolds hard to grow?
It isn’t that difficult to grow marigolds in your home. As long as you keep the soil moist and ensure that they receive plenty of sunshine, these plants will do great. Many people are surprised by how fast they grow, and they will produce flowers all year long, so they are sure to be one of your favorite plants.