How to Harvest and Save Marigold Seeds

By
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler is a frugal living expert who has been writing for over 10 years about easy ways to save money at home. She's covered money-saving advice and tricks for numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes, among others. She is the owner of "My Frugal Home," a money-saving, frugal living how-to guide.
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Updated on 10/08/21
Reviewed by
Julie Thompson-Adolf
Julie Thompson-Adolf
Reviewed by Julie Thompson-Adolf
Julie Thompson-Adolf is a master gardener and author. She has 13+ years of experience with year-round organic gardening; seed starting and saving; growing heirloom plants, perennials, and annuals; and sustainable and urban farming.
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saving marigold seeds

The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Total Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0

Marigolds are a mainstay in many gardens. They provide cheerful and abundant color all season long and are simple to grow from seed. If you learn how to save their seeds, you won't have to buy new plants or seeds for the next growing season. Harvesting and saving marigold seeds is quick and easy. You simply have to remove the seeds from the blooms and let them air dry before storing them over the winter. If you have an abundance of blooms, you can even make some seed packets to give away as gifts.

Note that if your marigolds are hybrid varieties, their seeds may produce plants that don't resemble the parent producing the seeds. Instead, they may revert to one of the original plants used to produce the hybridization. That's not a bad thing, as long as you don't mind unpredictable variation in your garden. If you want seeds that grow identical flowers to the parent plant, opt for heirloom/open-pollinated marigolds.

When to Harvest Marigold Seeds

It's crucial to wait for the right time to collect marigold seeds. Plan to harvest the seeds when the petals are dry and the base of each bloom (the seed pod) is turning brown.

To harvest, simply remove each marigold flower head from its stem.

Tip

It's OK to harvest the seed pods when there is still a little green at the base. If you wait too long, you risk mold growth, which can ruin the seeds.

Grow the Classic Marigold Plant
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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Basket or other container for harvesting blooms
  • Writing utensil

Materials

  • Marigold plants
  • Paper towel(s)
  • Paper envelope(s)

Instructions

materials for saving marigold seeds

The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

  1. Carefully Open the Marigold Seed Head

    Set a paper towel on a flat surface. Then, holding the base of each bloom, pull off and discard the petals and leaves. You will see the seeds inside attached to the base. Set the prepared blooms on your paper towel for now.

    Tip

    Some marigold flowers are edible and can add a distinct flavor to salads. The leaves are also edible and used in salads. So if you get more blooms than you need for saving seeds, pick and eat the flower petals while they're still tender (not dry).

    removing the dried bud

    The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

  2. Remove the Marigold Seeds

    Marigold seeds are long, slender, and pointed. They are dark on one end and light on the other.

    Take each bloom, and pull the seeds away from the base. Then, discard the base. Separate the seeds, and spread them out on your paper towel.

    extracting seeds from the marigolds

    The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

  3. Let the Seeds Dry

    Place the paper towel out of direct light. Allow the marigold seeds to air dry uncovered on the paper towel for about a week. The seeds need to dry thoroughly, so they don't get moldy in storage.

    letting marigold seeds dry

    The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

  4. Store the Seeds

    Place the marigold seeds in a paper envelope to store over the winter. Don't place them in a plastic bag because that will retain any residual moisture, which can cause the seeds to go bad. Label the envelope, so you remember what's in it, and add the date harvested. If you have multiple marigold varieties, make sure to keep them separated when drying and use separate envelopes for their seeds unless you're not concerned about mixing plants. Store the envelope in a cool, dark, dry place.

    storing the seeds in envelopes

    The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

  5. Use the Seeds

    Plant the seeds in your garden in the spring after your last frost date. For best results, seeds stored over winter should be used during the next growing season.

    Marigolds germinate quickly, so there's generally no need to start them indoors. However, if you do, you can transplant seedlings outdoors when they are about 2 inches high. If you sow the seeds directly in the ground outdoors, you may want to thin them after they sprout so that they are about 10 inches apart. Use scissors to cut down new shoots, as pulling them directly out of the ground could harm the root system of the other seedlings.

    At the end of the season, you can repeat the seed-storage process with your new marigold plants.

    Tip

    While marigolds can tolerate some shade, it's best to plant them in full sun. Doing so will create more vibrant blooms.

    using the marigold seeds in the garden

    The Spruce / Randi Rhoades