How to Make Marigolds Bloom Again (and Again) Before Summer Ends

Marigolds are a very reliable and vibrant flower to brighten your garden in the summer. As annuals, they complete their growth cycle in a single season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy several blooms throughout the summer—as long as the plant receives the right care and conditions.

“Marigolds are a joy to grow because they’re so forgiving and full of color—from the bold oranges and golds of African types to the edible, citrus-scented signet marigolds,” Tabar Gifford, a master gardener and partnership cultivator at American Meadows and High Country Gardens, says, noting that the flower is great for beginner gardeners and pollinator gardens.

How can you enjoy marigold blooms throughout the summer? We asked gardening experts for the best methods to keep the plant flowering until fall.

Deadhead Regularly

Both experts recommend deadheading—removing wilted flowers—your marigolds regularly to keep the plant blooming. According to Gifford, cutting off the faded blooms will prompt the marigold to produce more flowers rather than go into making seeds.

She suggests walking through the garden every few days to pinch or cut off the wilted flowers to keep your marigolds blooming.

“It’s therapeutic and makes a big difference in the amount of blooms your marigolds will produce,” Gifford says.

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Fertilize Properly

Marigolds prefer fertile soil, but of course, you’ll need to use the right kind of fertilizer that is phosphorus-based. The chemical element encourages the flower’s blooms and strong root development.

Adam Weiss, a certified master gardener and the founder of Pike Lane Gardens, recommends sprinkling bone meal, which is rich in phosphorus, around the perimeter of the plants or the plant bed.

Gifford advises against using fertilizers rich in nitrogen, because that will promote more leafy green growth and not lead to many flowers.

Plant in Succession

It’s tempting to start sowing your seeds at the same time after the final frost, but Weiss recommends succession planting, which is planting seeds every 10 days. This ensures that you’ll always have the vibrant blooms in your garden, and it helps extend the growing season.

“Since marigolds have about three months of flowering, this will give you marigolds in your garden over a longer period of time,” he says.

Weiss also notes that this method is especially helpful if you use the flower as a pollinator—a flower that attracts bees and butterflies—for vegetables like cucumbers and squash. 

Water Sufficiently, But Don’t Overdo It

Experts recommend understanding the way Marigolds prefer to be watered. First, the soil needs to be well-drained and stay dry between waterings, meaning there shouldn’t be any sogginess.

Gifford also advises hydrating the plant at the base and not from overhead, getting the leaves wet, because that can cause mildew or leaf spot. And the best times to water the marigolds are in the early morning or evening during the summer.

Plant in Full Sun

Marigolds thrive in the summer sunshine. They can tolerate some shade, but excessive amounts will hinder their flower production.

Gifford advises finding the right sunny location in your garden from the start to ensure the marigolds get all the light they need throughout the season and keep blooming.