The marigold is an annual flower that blooms well and is planted across the world. They are tall plants that grow up to 36 inches high, and they have large flowers with the colors yellow, orange, or even golden.
The marigolds grow best in full exposure to the sun, with the soil being moist and well-drained. They are also able to grow in drier conditions. Marigolds are mostly low-maintenance plants. They grow in the form of neat, compact bushes, and this makes it easy for them to be planted in any location.
Best Companion Plants for Marigolds
While marigold seems to be a good fit for nearly all plants, we have made a list of the plants that are best suited for companion planting with it.
1. Tomato
Planting tomatoes along with your marigold can achieve an excellent aesthetic look for your garden. Planting marigolds next to the tomatoes helps to deter a lot of pests, including the likes of tomato hornworms. Their strong odor helps to repel pests, and they also attract beneficial insects. Several varieties of marigolds can be planted with tomatoes. For instance, if you wish to deter deer, then you may plant African marigolds. In case you wish to attract bees and other beneficial insects, you may plant a signet marigold for the purpose.
2. Squash
Marigold serves as a good companion plant with the squash since it will keep cucumber beetles and other beetles away from the plant that may potentially feed on the squash vines. The squash can be used in the form of a living mulch, which keeps away weeds and retains soil moisture.
3. Carrots
When planted together with carrots, marigolds deter carrot rust flies. It also has a nutritional benefit for the carrots as it increases the carotenoid substance present in the roots of the carrot.
4. Broccoli
The marigold has to be planted in between the rows of broccoli. The marigolds will keep away several garden pests, including the likes of rabbits.
4. Lavender
Marigolds, as well as lavender, are two flowering plants that make for excellent companions. This is because their blooming flowers attract a host of insects and pollinating agents. When paired together, lavender and marigold create an insect barrier, and they can keep harmful pests out of the way.
6. Sage
Planting marigolds along with sage is beneficial for the latter since it will be shaded by the marigold from the harsh sun rays. The combination is also aesthetically pleasing since the pale green and velvet leaves of the sage combine with the bright yellow and orange flowers of the marigold.
Sage is frequently attacked by the likes of spiders, mites, snails, and aphids, and the marigold is a good protection against these pests. The marigold might almost become like a trap plant in that these pests will tend to move away from the sage and attack its companion plant instead. The aromatic scent of sage repels pests such as cabbage moths, flea beetles, and carrot flies that marigolds might not be able to take care of.
7. Garlic Chive
From a visual point of view, garlic chives are a good option, just like most other alliums. The blooms are in a characteristic purple or white, and they fit in with the yellow hues of the marigold to give a winter-like vibe.
The garlic chives grow to become tall, to a height of 18 inches; hence it would make sense to grow them along with a dwarf variety of marigolds. Otherwise, they would have to be planted a bit separately or on the outskirts of the marigold plant. Garlic chives specifically are known to reduce the chances of infestation by spider mites.
8. Dill
This is a good option for planting along with your marigold in case your crop is infected with cabbage loopers and other moths. The flowers of the dill are characteristically umbel shaped, and they attract creatures that repel cabbage loopers. These include the likes of parasitic wasps, which repel the pests and even drag them back to their nests. Some of the wasps are known to target as well as paralyze aphids as well.
From a visual point of view, dill pairs well with the marigold as its yellow inflorescences interweave beautifully with the bright colors of the marigold.
9. Lantana
Lantana is usually a ground cover or a low-lying crop. However, there are some varieties of plants that grow in an upright frame as well.
10. Zinnias
Zinnias are native to Central America and Mexico. Just like the marigold, they come in a variety of colors, including the likes of pink, purple, lime, orange, red, and so on. Both of them, i.e., zinnias and marigolds, would do well in a cut flower garden. A cut flower garden is one where plants are grown specifically to produce flowers for harvesting. The two plants are easy to grow, and neither do they pose too much competition for nutrients. A properly mixed fertilizer with the basic requirements should be sufficient for both the flowers, including nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
Both of these flowers are perennial, and they grow well in the warmer temperature of the summer. Consequently, it is best for them if they continue to be replanted with each passing season. They will flower and produce seeds within the year. Similar to marigolds, zinnias are good at attracting pollinator insects.
11. Cucumber
Cucumber plants are easy to grow and hence a good option for the novice gardener. Aphids are a common pest on cucumber leaves, and they are usually resisted by marigolds. Also, cucumbers need to be pollinated, and hence it is useful to plant a crop like marigold, which is a pollinator-attracting plant.
12. Radishes
The radishes and the marigolds have a symbiotic relationship as far as resisting pests is concerned. As usual, the marigold has a good track record when it comes to repelling nematodes. The two, when paired together, also add to the visual appeal of the garden, as the purple color of the radishes merges with the bright colors of the marigold.
13. Basil
Basil and marigolds are a good pair to keep pests out of the neighboring area. Like basil, marigolds are particularly good for planting around tomatoes. In case you wish to maximize the protection of your basil by way of aroma, planting marigolds would be a good option. Although, proximity needs to be ensured when these two are being planted together to ensure that pest deterrence is effective.
Since marigolds are small and do not grow beyond a height of 12 inches, they are a good choice as a border for the herb garden. In addition, the marigolds enhance the growth of basils by producing a certain chemical in their roots. The chemical remains in the soil for years, even after the marigolds have gone. Thus the protection of the basil plant is ensured. Although the Mexican variety of marigolds should not be planted next to the basil, as a stronger version of the chemical is produced, that can end up stunting the growth of basil itself.
14. Geranium
Geraniums are often afflicted by slugs. In case these slimy creatures have been disrupting your geranium crop, you can take a countermeasure by planting marigolds near them. Marigolds also help to keep mosquitoes away from the crop. Both of these crops prefer the sunshine, and they grow well under warm conditions. The soil needs to be moist but well draining.
Plants to Avoid
Beans and cabbages can also be planted with marigolds. Still, it is not exactly clear whether their relationship with marigolds is beneficial or not.
1. Beans
It is reported that marigolds could be allelopathic, and the chemicals emitted by them would not go well with the beans. In case the beans are planted along with marigolds, their growth might be stunted.
2. Cabbage
There are mixed opinions when it comes to planting marigolds along with cabbage. Cabbage and its fellow brassicas can be considered to be questionable companion partners during planting.
FAQ’s
Some of the main varieties of the marigold include brocade, tiger eyes, tangerine, lemon drop, Mandarin, moonlight, fiesta, etc.
One of the most common reasons for the lack of growth of flowers in the marigold is the lack of exposure to adequate sunlight. In the shade, they might be able to produce leaves; however, the flowers will not blossom completely. The plants should be moved to a spot where they are guaranteed to receive six to eight hours of sunlight a day.
The plant needs to be buried in extra depth. You can strip off the leaves attached to the lower portions of the stem.
Conclusion
Marigolds are a plant that seems to do well when companion planted with nearly most other plants. They are a great option when companion planting with herbs, vegetables, and other flowering plants. In this article, we have tried to discuss some of the main plants that would thrive when grown along with marigolds.