Marigold flower
Marigold – protection against scorpions?
The marigold is an annual, but it self-seeds easily in the country and returns year after year. It grows about 15-60 cm high. Marigolds can be grown outdoors, in pallet collars and in pots. The low varieties are particularly suitable as a border plant in flower beds.
The classic colours of marigolds are sunny yellow and orange. But nowadays marigolds are also available in creamy white and old pink. Double-flowered marigolds have also been bred.
The plant probably originated in the Mediterranean region. In ancient times, the brilliant colour of the flowers was associated with fire and solar magic. In Greek mythology, there are several stories about how women who loved the sun god Apollo were transformed into marigolds.
Marigolds have been reputed to protect against everything from robbers to scorpions. More scientifically proven are the plant’s healing properties as a tea, tincture and ointment. The Latin species name ‘officinalis’ marks marigold’s status as a medicinal plant.
Sow marigolds
You can start sowing marigolds in the spring when the soil is ready. We sow them in a couple of rounds until June in order to have flowers throughout the growing season.
Prepare the soil by weeding and watering well. Mulch the seeds about 1 cm deep and keep the soil surface moist until the seeds have germinated. Thin out to a distance of about 10 cm between the plants. It is possible to move the removed marigolds to another location.
Marigolds can be propagated indoors. However, the plants grow so quickly that it is usually easiest to sow them directly outdoors.
Marigolds are also great to sow in autumn. The seeds survive the winter and germinate in early spring the following year. Marigolds like to self-sow and then return to the same spot year after year.
Marigold in the vegetable garden
Marigolds thrive in a sunny to semi-shady position. It is an undemanding plant that produces plenty of flowers without requiring much care. Water when there is a drought and feed sometime during the summer.
We usually let marigolds grow here and there in the kitchen garden. They add a nice splash of colour among all the green. Marigolds are also an aromatic plant that can scare away or confuse pests.
Marigolds can withstand a little frost and bloom beautifully until late autumn. Cut off wilted flowers to stimulate the plant to form more buds.
Cooking with marigolds
Marigolds are edible. They don’t taste much, but they add a touch of summer to your food. We use whole flowers on top of food. We pull off the colourful petals and mix them into salads, rice and quinoa. As a bonus, marigolds are said to be good for digestion.
Enhance the warm colours of marigolds with cress. Or create a colour contrast on the dish by mixing marigolds with cornflower or cucumber herb.
Dried marigold in oil or ointment
Marigold has traditionally been praised for its healing properties, not least for soothing the skin of sunburn, rashes and insect bites. It is very easy to make a smooth and slightly golden oil or ointment from marigolds.
- Spread the flowers out to dry on a tray.
- Fill a small glass jar with dry petals.
- Pour a vegetable oil over the petals so that all of them are below the surface.
- Leave the jar for about 4 weeks.
- Strain the petals and use the oil as a skin care product.
- To make a salve, mix the marigold oil in a water bath with about a fifth of wax – for example, beeswax or a vegan alternative such as candelilla wax.
Author: Johanna Damm
Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra
Last updated 2022-10-14