marigold are garden dearie , but there ’s much more to these flowers than their beaut .
Marigolds are democratic flowers to produce , thanks to their colorful petals and prosperous - care nature . Besides their beauty , marigolds canhelp attract pollinators to your garden , keep pests aside , and are even edible . They also have some riveting ethnic and symbolic import that is often overlooked . Once used in ancient Aztec ritual , marigold bloom today are still close tied to Dia de los Muertos ( twenty-four hour period of the Dead ) in Mexico and the US . Here ’s a look at some enchanting facts about marigolds that make these plants even more challenging , and well worth develop in your garden .
Kelsey Hansen
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
1. New World Natives
adverse to their confusing common public figure , marigolds are in fact native to the Americas with about 50 species originating in North , Central , and South America . For example , theAfrican marigold(Tagetes erecta ) , for exemplar , came to be known by Europeans from seeds imported from Africa before by and by being bring back to North America for cultivation . as well , French marigoldsaren’t actually from France . They were heavily naturalize in France with many salmagundi being produced and distributed around the English - speaking world , hence the common name .
Marigolds flourish in many climates . These plant can begrown as short - live perennialsin the tropic or as annuals in colder northern climates .
2. Edible Flowers
To the surprise of most people , marigold flowers are edible . Whether used unfermented , dried , or infused into various beverages , marigolds have a multiple of use of goods and services in the kitchen . gamy in carotenoids such as xanthophyl , petal are also used tocreate innate food coloringswith a warm prosperous yellowed coloring that is used for all sorts of foods , drink , and animal provender . Known aspericónin Spanish or Mexican estragon in English , Tagetes lucidaimparts an anise - like smell in dishes and is sometimes used as a substitute for Gallic estragon . This eccentric of marigold , as well as others , also makes a flavorful herbal tea .
If you do decide to try your hand at harvesting and eat your own marigold flowers , it is of import tostart them from seedrather than buy plant from a baby’s room . And when growing them in your own garden , it ’s best to deflect pesticides on the flower you plan to deplete . Or only practice products labeled for edibles and make certain to rinse the flower soundly before consuming .
Eating nursery - grow marigold is not send word because they are often treated with pesticides not approved for human consumption .
3. Proven Companion Plants
Marigolds have long beenused as companion plantsfor a variety of edible crops . Marigold plant are particularly helpfulto grow around tomatoes and potatoes to aid keep away tiny , underground , wormlike creatures called nematodes . Marigolds are be intimate to bring forth various toxin from their roots that deter nematode worm and can course protect susceptible plants when planted together .
It should be noted , however , that marigolds also produce chemical compound from their roots that bottle up bacterium . These chemical can have a negative event on legume such as beans and peas that swear on bacterium in their stem to process atmospherical nitrogen . To avoid this problem , freestanding legume from your marigold in the garden .
4. Pollinator Favorites
Marigolds are heavy - blooming and long - lasting favorites for many types of pollinators , including bee , butterfly , moths , and even hummingbirds . While many marigold sort will cater at least some nectar and pollen , choosing single - blossom case are a better bet because they have fewer petal to get in the way . And though they bloom throughout the grow time of year without much effort , deadheading marigoldswill serve your plants pour more energy into new flowers rather than seeds .
If you want to deliver marigold seeds , cease deadheading the flowers toward the conclusion of the farm season and permit source promontory dry out on the plants . Then , mildly pull up on the withered petals to reveal the seeds . stack away the germ over winter in a cool , wry localisation ; sow them inspring after all risk of frost has run .
5. Day of the Dead Requirement
Marigolds have special import to peoples of the Americas . The prosperous color of the petals and aroma are said to aid soulfulness of the deceased regain their way home from their graves during the one-year Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of the Dead traditionally celebrated on November 1st and 2nd . Marigold petals are besprinkle along pathways andused to grace category altarsknown as “ ofrendas ” surrounded by candles , gift of the deceased ’s favorite foods , personal items , and characterisation .
celebrate throughout Mexico and parts of Central America , Day of the Dead has also become popular in the United States , Canada , and other country within the Mexican diaspora , lead to a spate in the output of marigold efflorescence just for the special juncture .
