Do Marigolds Attract Bees, Wasps, Butterflies and Slugs?

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Every gardener looks forward to a bright and beautiful garden that should be the envy of anyone who catches a glimpse of it.

To achieve this, you must plant attractive flowers that are sure to bloom and make your garden look like a dream.

But of course, it would not make much sense if the flowers attracted so many bees that you could barely access the garden. So, are marigolds good at attracting bees?

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Do Marigolds Attract Bees?

The common notion is that marigolds repel bees- have you heard of this widely accepted misconception?

To get to the bottom of this question, we must dig deeper into what these flowers are.

Marigolds are long and hardy flowering plants, and they are so easy to grow that a beginner who barely has experience in gardening can hack their propagation and care. So far so good, right?

Now, to the main question- do they attract bees? The answer is a resounding yes marigolds do attract bees! Marigolds produce nectar and pollen, which will have the bees swarming in for some nutrition.

Pollen serves as a great source of protein, while nectar provides sugar and carbohydrates. Who can blame the bees for seeking a balanced diet?

Moreover, marigolds have bold, beautiful colors which attract bees. Did you know that bees are attracted to hues?

But that’s not all that they boast. These flowers are also:

Natural bug repellents, which makes them ideal for vegetable gardens. If you have had enough of pests and mosquitoes dominating your garden, here is a solution you can use.
Great at promoting healthy soils by eliminating nematodes which could affect other plants in the garden. Tomato gardeners who often face soil-related problems can try these flowers out.
Naturally sterile, which makes them an excellent go-to when treating external skin conditions, including rashes and bites. They are also great for treating ocular infections and can bring down swelling in the eyes.
Attractive to a range of other insects which can feed on harmful insects and make the garden unconducive for them. So, if you’ve been wondering how you can finally get rid of mealybugs and aphids, this could work.

Have you heard of marigold tea? Marigold flowers are useful in making tea known for their positive digestive and calming effects.

So, what makes people think that marigolds can repel bees? It must be the smell. If you’ve been near a marigold before, you cannot deny that it has quite a pungent smell.

The notion follows that if this smell can repel mealybugs and other insects, it would also keep bees away. But that notion does not hold water in nature.

Do Marigolds Attract Wasps?

We can agree that wasps are essential in controlling pests and pollinating flowers, making them a great addition to any garden. But on the downside, they are known to sting, which can hurt quite badly.

Given that some people are allergic to wasps, keeping these insects at bay is a good idea.

Unfortunately, wasps love nectar, and any plant that produces pollen and nectar will be attractive to them. So, repelling them may not be as easy as you think.

Where do marigolds fall in all of this? Some articles online will have you thinking that marigolds can repel wasps, but that could not be further from the truth. Rather than repel the wasps, marigolds attract them.

Can you repel wasps without harming bees? Sure- by making homemade traps! All you need is to mix some dish soap in a bowl of water and place it near the wasps.

Tie a small piece of meat to a string and hang it an inch over the water. When they try to reach the meat, they will touch the soapy water and drown.

You can also look into repelling the wasps by hanging wasp nets or other means that will not affect the bees in your garden.

If you’re enjoying this article, check out our article on are blue orchid flowers real.

Do Marigolds Attract Butterflies?

A garden filled with blooming flowers looks like it’s straight out of a landscaping book. Is there anything that could make this sight even more attractive?

Sure- butterflies flying all over the garden, showing off their exquisite wing patterns. But can marigolds afford you this beauty? Are they appealing to butterflies?

Yes! Marigolds have bright colors that make them the go-to for butterflies looking for nutrition. Their pungent smell does not deter these insects from perching on the plants and eating to their fill.

Some of the butterfly species you can expect to see are Eastern Tiger Hayhurst’s Scallopwings, Red Admirals, American Ladies, Zabulons, and Ocola Skippers.

To attract even more butterflies, place rocks throughout the garden in sunny spots to provide them with resting spots.

Also, you must provide them with a source of water and shelter from the wind. It also helps to position your garden in a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight.

Of course, the more marigolds you have, the bigger the butterfly population will be!

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Do Marigolds Attract Slugs?

You have probably encountered pesky slugs that have fed on your plants. So, you might be wondering if your marigolds will be safe from these mollusks.

The unfortunate news is that marigolds attract slugs, probably even more than other plants in your garden.

Slugs seem to have taken a liking to this plant and can destroy all your hard work in only one night. One morning, you could wake up to a ravaged marigold devoid of flowers and leaves.

Is there a good thing about this attraction? Yes! You could use it to your advantage by using marigolds as trap plants. You allow the slugs to feast on the marigolds.

Once they are done, you get rid of the plants and the slugs. How does that sound? But if you’re not looking for trap plants, read the next section on how you can avoid slug invasions.

How Do I Stop Slugs Eating My Marigolds?

To keep slugs away from your marigolds, you should use obstacles in their way or smells that they do not like. Great examples include:

Gravel

With tiny pieces of stone lining the path to the marigolds, slugs will not make their way to the plants. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it is also dangerous for them to move on the stones.

Mulch

This material works like gravel by creating an unconducive path for slugs which can get cut when moving on the plant materials. Just sprinkle some on the soil, and your slug problem will be a thing of the past.

Coffee

Did you know that slugs do not like the smell of coffee? That’s a good reason to dump coffee grounds on the soil surrounding the marigolds. Be careful not to use too much coffee as it can affect the pH level in the soil.