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Flower profile

Marigold

Quick facts

Botanical name: Tagetes erecta. In SAF's language of flowers, marigold means desire for riches.

Marigold at a glance

Meaning
desire for riches
Colors
  • Yellow
  • Orange
  • Gold
  • Mahogany
  • Cream
Season
Early summer to early fall.
Special care
Cut or buy fully open flowers. Strip all lower leaves - marigold foliage fouls water quickly - and change water often. Use flower food and keep cool.
Size
A sturdy annual 1 to 4 feet tall with rounded, double flower heads 3 to 6 inches across in hot colors and a distinctive sharp scent
Also called
African marigold, American marigold, Aztec marigold

About marigolds

A sturdy annual 1 to 4 feet tall with rounded, double flower heads 3 to 6 inches across in hot colors and a distinctive sharp scent. Popular in the cut flower trade and for Day of the Dead and Diwali.

How to make marigolds last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For marigolds. Cut or buy fully open flowers. Strip all lower leaves - marigold foliage fouls water quickly - and change water often. Use flower food and keep cool.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about marigolds

What does the marigold mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the marigold stands for "desire for riches".

What colors do marigolds come in?

Marigolds come in yellow, orange, gold, mahogany and cream.

How do you care for marigolds?

Keep marigolds cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For marigolds: Cut or buy fully open flowers. Strip all lower leaves - marigold foliage fouls water quickly - and change water often. Use flower food and keep cool.

Where can I buy marigolds?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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