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Marigolds can attract hummingbirds, but they are not the top choice for these tiny birds that love nectar-rich flowers.
Hummingbirds are drawn to flowers with vibrant colors and tubular shapes that make it easy for them to drink nectar, and marigolds offer some of these qualities, though not as prominently as other plants.
If you’re wondering “do marigolds attract hummingbirds?” you’re in the right place to get the full scoop on this topic.
In this post, we’ll explore how marigolds appeal to hummingbirds, compare them to other better hummingbird plants, and share tips on how to create a garden that truly attracts these beautiful birds.
Let’s dive into whether marigolds attract hummingbirds and how to make the most of them in your hummingbird-friendly garden.
Why Marigolds Can Attract Hummingbirds
Marigolds can attract hummingbirds because they provide some nectar and have bright colors that catch the birds’ attention.
Here’s why marigolds sometimes draw hummingbirds into your garden:
1. Bright Colors Appeal to Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to bright, warm colors like red, orange, and yellow, and marigolds often come in these vivid shades.
The bright orange and yellow hues of marigolds can catch a hummingbird’s eye from a distance, making them worth including in a hummingbird garden.
However, marigolds mostly have a low concentration of red, which hummingbirds prefer the most, so their attraction isn’t as strong as some other plants.
2. Marigolds Produce Nectar
Marigolds do produce nectar that hummingbirds eat, but the nectar amount and sugar content in marigold flowers are usually less than what hummingbirds prefer.
The smaller volume of nectar means hummingbirds may visit marigolds occasionally but not stick around for long.
So yes, marigolds attract hummingbirds with nectar, but it’s on the more moderate side compared to classic hummingbird plants.
3. Marigolds Provide Perching Spots
Besides nectar, hummingbirds also need perches to rest between energetic flights.
The sturdy stems of marigolds can serve as landing spots or perching areas for hummingbirds as they sip nectar from nearby flowers.
This extra use adds to marigolds’ value in attracting hummingbirds to your garden.
4. Marigolds Can Complement Other Hummingbird Plants
Marigolds don’t have to be the star of the show to help attract hummingbirds.
They make excellent companion plants, complementing more nectar-rich flowers and adding color contrast that makes the overall garden more visually enticing to hummingbirds.
This combination effect can increase hummingbird visits to your yard.
What Makes Marigolds Less Ideal for Attracting Hummingbirds
Even though marigolds can attract hummingbirds sometimes, several factors make them less ideal compared to other flower choices.
Knowing these reasons can help you decide how much to rely on marigolds if you really want to bring hummingbirds close.
1. Flower Shape Isn’t Perfect for Nectar Feeding
Hummingbirds prefer flowers with long tubular shapes that fit their slender bills perfectly for efficient nectar feeding.
Marigolds have a more open, daisy-like flower shape, which doesn’t accommodate a hummingbird’s bill as well and makes nectar less concentrated.
Because of this, hummingbirds might prefer other flowers over marigolds for feeding.
2. Nectar Volume and Sugar Concentration Are Lower
Marigolds produce nectar, but the sugar concentration and volume are lower than those found in plants like trumpet vine or bee balm that hummingbirds favor.
Hummingbirds seek high-energy nectar to fuel their rapid wingbeats, so flowers with richer nectar mixtures are much more enticing to them.
This means marigolds alone won’t usually keep visiting hummingbirds satisfied for very long.
3. Limited Scent and Visual Signals
Unlike some other plants, marigolds don’t produce a strong fragrance or intense red color, two things that hummingbirds use to locate flowers quickly.
While marigolds’ orange and yellow colors are bright, hummingbirds heavily favor deep red shades, which marigolds usually don’t have.
Combined with lower nectar rewards, marigolds rank below other flowers in hummingbird attraction.
Best Flowers To Plant Alongside Marigolds To Attract Hummingbirds
Since marigolds alone won’t do the entire job of attracting hummingbirds, you can boost your garden’s appeal by planting hummingbird favorites alongside your marigolds.
Here are some tried-and-true plants that can complement marigolds beautifully and attract more hummingbirds:
1. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
Trumpet vine is a classic hummingbird magnet with bright red-orange tubular flowers made precisely for hummingbird bills.
Planting trumpet vine near marigolds will increase hummingbird activity by providing abundant nectar with flowers easy for them to access.
2. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee balm is renowned as a hummingbird favorite with bright red, pink, or purple tubular flowers bursting with nectar.
Its sweet scent and flower shape make it a reliable choice for really drawing hummingbirds to your garden.
3. Salvia Varieties
Salvia plants have tall flower spikes with brightly colored, tubular blooms in shades of red, purple, and blue.
They’re rich in nectar and bloom over a long season, giving hummingbirds plenty of incentive to visit regularly alongside marigolds.
4. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
Columbine has uniquely shaped flowers in striking reds and purples that hummingbirds adore.
Their long petals and high nectar content fit perfectly with hummingbird feeding habits, making them a favorite companion for marigolds.
5. Fuchsias
Fuchsias produce pendulous, tubular flowers in vivid reds, purples, and pinks that hanging hummingbirds find irresistible.
Try mixing fuchsias with marigolds in partial shade areas to attract hummingbirds all day long.
Tips for Using Marigolds in a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden
If you want to include marigolds to attract hummingbirds, here are some practical tips to maximize their benefits.
1. Choose Varieties With Bright Orange and Yellow Blooms
When selecting marigolds, go for those with the most vivid orange and yellow hues because these colors are more likely to grab hummingbirds’ attention.
Dark red marigolds are rare, but lighter shades can still contribute to your garden’s color palette shared with other hummingbird plants.
2. Plant Marigolds Near Nectar-Rich Flowers
Position marigolds close to hummingbird favorites like salvia, bee balm, or trumpet vine.
This way, marigolds act as an extra appeal with color contrast while the richer nectar flowers draw hummingbirds and keep them coming back.
3. Keep Your Marigolds Healthy and Blooming
Hummingbirds are more likely to visit gardens with continuously blooming flowers.
Deadhead spent blooms on marigolds regularly and keep them watered and fertilized to extend their blossom period.
This ongoing floral display enhances your garden’s ability to attract hummingbirds over time.
4. Avoid Using Pesticides Near Marigolds
Insecticides and pesticides can harm hummingbirds directly or indirectly by reducing feeding opportunities.
Choose organic gardening practices to keep hummingbirds and pollinators safe in your marigold-rich garden.
5. Provide Water Sources Nearby
Offering a water source such as a shallow birdbath or mister can encourage hummingbirds to stay longer, visiting both water and marigolds for nectar and refreshment.
Water combined with colorful flowers makes your garden a hummingbird hotspot.
So, Do Marigolds Attract Hummingbirds?
Yes, marigolds do attract hummingbirds to some extent because they provide bright colors and some nectar.
However, marigolds are not the most effective plants for consistently attracting hummingbirds due to their flower shape and lower nectar rewards.
To truly attract more hummingbirds, you’ll want to plant marigolds alongside proven hummingbird favorites like trumpet vine, bee balm, and salvias that offer richer nectar and better feeding access.
Using marigolds as part of a diverse hummingbird garden adds color, provides good perching spots, and complements the stronger nectar sources hummingbirds prefer.
With the right mix of plants and a little care, marigolds can play a meaningful role in creating a garden that hums with the vibrant activity of hummingbirds.
So go ahead and plant those marigolds, but think of them as the friendly supporting act in your hummingbird garden rather than the main attraction.
They help brighten the stage and encourage visits but give hummingbirds the real energy from the best nectar plants nearby too.
By understanding how marigolds attract hummingbirds and how to maximize their appeal, you’ll enjoy a beautiful and lively garden filled with one of nature’s most charming visitors.