Everybody grows plants from seeds or cuttings, but you will be surprised after discovering that bright and colorful marigolds can be grown from petals! This one trick you’re going to learn below is too easy and super rewarding, so keep reading to find out.
Have a look at the best types of Marigolds here
Don’t You Know About Marigolds?
Marigolds can not just add beauty to any garden with their fragrant flowers in orange, yellow, maroon-red, bronze, and bi-color hues with contrasting fern-like foliage. They are the best companion plants for herbs and vegetables as they prevent harmful nematodes and encourage friendly insects and pollinators.
A warm climate perennial in USDA zones 9-11, marigolds are semi-hardy in colder zones. According to the variety, they can be up to 6 inches to 6 feet tall and can be grown in all regions either as short-living perennial or annual.
Check out some amazing Marigold benefits in the garden here
Here’s How to Grow Marigold Plants from Petals
Growing marigolds from petals is like indirectly growing them from seeds. The secret is–its flower holds tiny seeds at the bottom of each petal, and when you disperse petals over the soil, you disperse tiny marigold seeds with them as well.
- The process is really simple. All you have to do is collect some dry marigold flowers. You can also snip away blooms and let them dry out in the sun or dry shade for 3-4 days.
- Once the flowers are dry and papery, crush them on top of a pot, sprinkling the petals everywhere on the growing medium like you would sprinkle salt on your favorite meal!
- Cover the crushed petals with a very thin layer of fine soil, just remember, a very thin layer, and you are done.
Important Tips You Shouldn’t Miss
- Select the most mature, biggest, and healthiest flowers for a better propagation rate and healthy plants.
- You should pre-moist the growing medium before doing this process.
- Avoid pouring water on the pot, and use a sprayer to mist the growing medium. This will keep the tiny seeds undisturbed, and they’ll have ample moisture to sprout.
The petals will act as compost and mulch. They will help keep the growing medium moist for the seeds to germinate quickly. The petals will also break down quickly, releasing nutrients that will aid in the growth of seedlings.
So, You Have Grown Marigolds from Petals. What’s Next?
After sprinkling the petals on the pot, you just have to wait for some days. If the soil temperature is warm (around 60 F or 15 C and above), you’ll notice unlimited marigold plants popping up within 1-2 weeks.
You can then transplant the healthiest seedlings in separate pots once they are several inches tall. The plant will be ready to bloom in 4-7 weeks.
- Look for aphids and spider mites regularly.
- Deadhead the plant regularly to promote the growth of new flowers.
- While planting indoors, keep the pot near a south or west-facing window.
- With marigolds, the more sunlight you will provide them, the better it will be for their growth and flowers.
Discover the best marigold care tips here
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