Flower
Marigold
Tagetes patula
Companion-planting hero — repels pests around tomatoes and beans.
Full sun
Moderate
Average
Very easy
Yes
Petals (French varieties)
Annual
Half-hardy
5 L
20 cm
Vegetable
Tomato
Marigolds repel spider mites, whiteflies, and hornworms while their root exudates suppress soil-borne pathogens.
Vegetable
Chilli Pepper
Marigolds pull pollinators in and confuse pests.
Vegetable
Courgette / Zucchini
Marigolds repel spider mites and whiteflies that attack courgettes while their peppery scent deters larger pests like squash bugs.
Herb
Basil
Marigolds trap whiteflies and spider mites away from basil while basil repels additional pests like thrips.
Situations where this plant is a reliable fit — from someone's kitchen sill to a wind-blown rooftop.
Balcony
A few pots on a flat outdoor perch — some sun, some wind.
Ladder planter
A tilted step-ladder with a shallow tray on each rung — sun-facing, five tiers of herbs, salad and strawberries in the footprint of one pot.
Raised bed
A traditional plot or timber-sided bed — deepest root run, widest planting choice.
Where to source
Get growing in United Kingdom
Shop local first
The best plants come from a real nursery, and the best trowel comes from the old-fashioned ironmonger down the road — people who know their stock and can advise. Try local first, both for the plant and the kit. It keeps small growers and small hardware shops alive.
Searching near London
For pots, compost, seed trays, twine and other kit — Amazon has the essentials if the local option isn't right. Not a plant nursery; use the local map above for the plant itself.
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