Marigolds, or calendula, are a flowering plant often used in gardens for their bright colors and delicate flowers. While they’re most commonly used in flowerbeds to attract butterflies, marigolds can also be grown indoors as houseplants or ornamental plants.

Marigolds are a great summer addition to your garden. They can be used as border plants, in containers or around the base of trees and shrubs. Marigolds have a variety of uses that can help you make your yard even more beautiful! Read on for some unique ways to use marigolds! 

They’re edible

Marigolds are edible and can be used in salads, sauces, or as an ingredient in soups and stews. The petals can also be used to dye wool, so you can even make your own marigold yarn! Marigolds have been used for their medicinal qualities for centuries. They’ve been said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antibacterial and antifungal effects that relieve pain, enhance the immune system and may help to control diabetes and blood pressure.

Natural repellant

Place marigolds around the base of trees for protection from pests like deer and rabbits. A thick, natural barrier of marigolds can help protect and beautify your yard! You can even grow them in pots and place them around your garden to keep cats away.

Marigolds are too bitter to be eaten by rabbits, birds or deer, but they’re still inviting and beautiful for humans. The color of marigolds is believed to repel insects like mosquitoes so planting a small area of marigolds around your garden will protect your other plants from insect damage.

Use marigolds indoors

Use them as cut flowers – they last longer than other varieties of flowers due to their high oil content.

Marigolds smell great! They’re known for their musky, lemony scent.  Their petals make a lovely addition to sachets and potpourri. A sprig of marigold in your room will help freshen the air!

Add marigolds to homemade soaps for a natural fragrance and skin softening!

Make your own marigold tea by steeping the flowers in boiling water for about five minutes. Add honey to sweeten if desired. 

Marigolds make a lovely addition to homemade lotions and shampoos.

A cup of chamomile tea with some fresh marigold petals is said to help ease symptoms of morning sickness. They’re also said to help with allergies, upset stomach and diarrhea.

Marigold tea can be used as an eye wash for irritated eyes or insomnia.

Marigolds can be used to make an herbal face mask. Mix together equal parts of chamomile, lavender and marigold petals and steep them in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Cool the mixture and apply it to your face as a mask! Rinse off when you’re done. 

Add some marigolds to your water when cooking rice! 

The petals can also be used in salads, soups and stews! They have a sweet, mild flavor.

Flowers make great additions to homemade bath salts or sachets.

Put some marigold blossoms on the bottom of pots outdoors… they’ll help keep slugs and snails away! Water the plant every day so the blossoms keep their bright color.

Marigolds can be used to make a tea that’s said to reduce stress and relieve menstrual cramps.  Fill your sink with hot water, drop in some marigold petals and let them soak for 15 minutes. Stand over the sink and cover your head with a towel for 10 minutes. The hot air that doesn’t escape from under the towel is said to help relieve asthma symptoms and constipation.

Use them as an ingredient in a home-made dishwashing soap!

Make your own dried marigold petals for potpourri by drying the blossoms in a single layer on wax paper. They’ll keep their vibrant color and smell great!

You can also make dyes with them to color wool. Drop some marigolds into hot water and let them steep overnight, then strain out

Make a dried flower wreath for the front door or dining table (marigolds will last longer than other flowers)

Soak marigold petals in vodka and use them as softening drops in your hair! You can also soak them in rosewater for an aromatic face wash.

Put some marigolds on your desk at work to help keep you calm and focused during stressful times.

Place some marigolds on top of the soil of houseplants – they’ll grow better and produce more blooms.

If you’re moving, add fresh marigold petals to the bottom of a box filled with torn newspaper. The natural oils will help prevent damage to breakable items like china dishes. 

Marigolds are pretty and easy to grow, so use these ideas to make your yard more beautiful! See how marigolds benefit your garden in many ways!

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a unique way to use marigolds in your garden or home decor, we hope our blog post has shown you some creative ideas! If not, feel free to contact us with any questions.