
Photo: AlvesgasparCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Two-colored Marigold Plant Care
Calendula bicolor Raf.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Calendula arvensis is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name field marigold. It is native to central and southern Europe, and it is known across the globe as an introduced species.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Two-colored Marigold?
Plant Two-colored Marigold in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8a–10b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Two-colored Marigold Native To?
What Is the Two-colored Marigold?
Two-colored Marigold (Calendula bicolor) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Calendula genus. Two-colored Marigold is native to central and southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and. Two-colored Marigold is also known as Calendula aegyptiaca, Calendula alata.
Two-colored Marigold displays a compact, bushy growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Two-colored Marigold produces bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow and orange.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Two-colored Marigold?
Water a young or newly planted Two-colored Marigold every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Two-colored Marigold Need?
Two-colored Marigold thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Two-colored Marigold Prefer?
Calendula bicolor tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Two-colored Marigold prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Two-colored Marigold?
Well-draining, loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Two-colored Marigold to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Two-colored Marigold?
Feed Two-colored Marigold every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Two-colored Marigold?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, loamy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Two-colored Marigold is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Two-colored Marigold?
Two-colored Marigold can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Two-colored Marigold?
Prune Two-colored Marigold while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Two-colored Marigold in Winter?
Two-colored Marigold is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Two-colored Marigold?
Two-colored Marigold can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to field marigold plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Two-colored Marigold Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Two-colored Marigold, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Two-colored Marigold?
Two-colored Marigold is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Two-colored Marigold Need?
Two-colored Marigold grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Two-colored Marigold is native to central and southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Two-colored Marigold is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Calendula genus — compare its care with other Calendula species on PlantoScan.
Calendula is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Two-colored Marigold thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Calendula bicolor Raf., family Asteraceae (first published in Caratt. 82, n. 199.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Two-colored Marigold, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
