Why You Should Grow Marigolds Instead of Mums This Fall

When you picture the perfect fall-styled front porch, it’s safe to assume there are a few staples: a few pumpkins, gourds, and some potted mums.

Mums seem to be everyone’s favorite fall flower—but recently, we’ve spotted a new trend on the rise.

Marigolds are replacing mums as the perfect fall flower, and we can totally see the vision. They have a similar shape to mums and often come in similar colors, but marigolds can also be fluffier and fuller looking, with bigger, rounder blooms.

However, mums are often chosen for their hardiness and straightforward care requirements. So, can marigolds stack up? We decided to consult an expert and find out.

There Are Many Varieties to Choose From

If you want to switch your container plants this fall from mums to marigolds, Tammy Sons of TN Nursery Sons says other varieties would work. These are considered dwarf varieties, and they’re known for growing to a more manageable height.

“Signet and French Marigolds tend to stay in the six to twelve-inch height range, which would be a perfect substitution for chrysanthemums,” Sons says.

These varieties are hardy and available in a wide array of colors, many of which are similar to mums. 

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How to Help Your Marigolds Bloom

If you opt for marigolds, Sons shared a top tip for helping new blooms appear throughout the growing season.

“Once a marigold has ‘spent’ its flowers, it’s important to pinch the old blooms off so the plant’s roots will not add their nutrients to dead parts of the plant,” she says. 

This should help your marigolds look bright and beautiful all autumn long, and keep your porch display in top shape.

Water Marigolds Correctly

If you do decide to switch to marigolds this season after years of growing mums, you’ll be pleased to learn their watering schedules are fairly similar.

Like most potted plants, mums require frequent watering—and the same goes for marigolds. In addition, as is often the case, marigolds respond best to being correctly watered. Sons says it’s key to water the base of your plants and not the tops. 

“Water frequently during hot, sunny days,” she says, noting it’s also best to water early in the morning or after sunset to avoid heat damage.

Marigolds Thrive in Full-Sun

As a final consideration, Sons says your porch positioning is a definite factor in whether marigolds are a good choice this season. While mums need at least six hours of sunlight, marigolds call for even more. These bright beauties need adequate light, preferring full sun.

“It’s vital that they receive at least four to six hours of sun per day to grow optimally,” Sons says.

On the other hand, if you find your bright and sunny porch means other flowers don’t do well, then marigolds could just be the perfect pick the season.

Do Consider the Height of Marigolds

Before you run out and buy a bunch of marigolds, Sons says there’s one thing worth considering: make sure you check out the variety of marigolds and note the maximum height.

While most mums—short for chrysanthemums—are known for growing well in containers, certain types of standard marigolds tend to be taller. Some varietals can grow to be as tall as thirty-four to thirty-six inches.

Because of this, Sons says that standard marigolds aren’t necessarily to be avoided—they just often do much better when planted in soil rather than containers. 

“Standard marigolds tend to fall over in containers unless staked and tied, which makes them less appealing than mums in pots or containers,” Sons says.