October Birth Flower: Marigold Meaning and Lore

October is a golden month indeed, with the brilliantly golden fall leaves on hickories, aspens, and black maples, along with fields full of the golden shades of ripe hay, piles of orange-gold pumpkins, and so much more. It is fitting, then, that the marigold, best known for its rich orange-gold coloration, is the traditional October birth flower. The lore, meaning, and history of these flowers reach far beyond a single month, and the more you know about marigolds the better you will understand their place in the garden and on the calendar all year long. Jump to marigold flower meaning

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About Marigold Flowers

Marigolds are a classic autumn bloom in rich fall hues, from a sunny yellow through various shades of orange to a deep, rusty red-orange and other autumnal reds. There are dozens of species with different heights, bloom sizes, and smooth or ruffled petals, but two stand out as the most common choices for the October birth flower.

1) Tagetes erecta is also known as the American marigold, Mexican marigold, Aztec marigold, or African marigold, and is native to the southwestern United States, through Mexico, and into South America. Despite being called the “African” marigold, these flowers were introduced to Africa through trade routes, but originated in the Americas. 

2) Calendula officinalis is known as the common marigold, pot marigold, Scotch marigold, herb of the sun, or Mary’s gold. It is a closely related bloom, though not considered a “true” marigold. Even so, this flower, which originated in southern Europe but has naturalized across a much wider area, is also used as the birth flower for October.

Both flowers are members of the Asteraceae family, close relatives of coneflowers, dahlias, dandelions, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, and zinnias. They are herbaceous perennials that will regrow for years, reseeding themselves and thriving when conditions are right. In northern areas these flowers are often treated as annuals, but in the warm conditions of their southern origins they can last for several years.

Marigolds have a distinctive fragrance, a complex aroma that people often describe as spicy or musky. The scent can be quite pungent from a bouquet or a large arrangement, and it easily calls to mind the warm autumn spices so common in an October kitchen.

Because that aroma is strong, it may also trigger a reaction in folks with seasonal sensitivities. Keep that in mind before planting marigolds near, or handing a bouquet to, someone with an October birthday, just in case.

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Marigold Facts At A Glance

Here is the short version for anyone who came looking for one quick answer about the October birth flower. The table below sorts out the two marigolds that share the honor.

Marigold Symbolism

Marigolds carry many meanings, and the exact one shifts with the flower’s color and shape. In general, these blooms symbolize caring, joy, passion, warmth, devotion, abundance, and good fortune.

Because marigolds thrive from mid-summer through autumn, weathering late summer storms and cool autumn rains, they also stand for devotion, perseverance, and strength. When the petals are ruffled or frilly, the flowers are said to denote creativity and innovation.

Marigold Flower Meaning From Around The World

As a widespread bloom, the marigold has worked its way into many spiritual traditions and cultures the world over.

The ancient Aztecs honored marigolds and considered them sacred, crediting the flowers with the power to connect the living to their ancestors. Their heady aroma and brilliant color were said to light the way to and from the underworld. Those beliefs have been rooted in Mexican culture for centuries, and even today marigolds are a key decoration for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), adorning altars, shrines, cemeteries, and graves as a sign of remembrance and respect. While Day of the Dead is celebrated from November 1 to 2, preparations begin much earlier in October, right when these birth month flowers hit their peak.

Marigolds are honored in other faiths as well. In Buddhism, the flowers are placed on altars with lotus blossoms in honor of Buddha. In Hinduism, marigolds are tied to the ultimate romantic couple, Lakshmi and Vishnu, and are often used in weddings and marriage celebrations to bring positive energy, love, and brightness to the happy couple.

In Christian tradition, marigolds are known as Mary’s gold and were often presented before the Virgin Mary as a prayer offering when gold coins or other tributes were not at hand.

The flowers even turn up in ancient Greek and Roman legend, springing from the tears of Helios as he mourned the loss of his son. In another telling, marigolds grew from the tears of Aphrodite as she mourned Adonis. Either way, these bright blooms are often linked to Sun gods and Sun ceremonies, a fitting connection for a flower the color of daylight.

Marigold Folk Medicine

Marigolds have earned their keep in more than worship and legend. These flowers have had medical applications across a wide range of cultures, including Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Persian, Indian, and European histories.

With anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, marigolds have long been used as washes and poultices for wounds, as well as for treating sores and skin conditions. They have also been called on for menstrual cramps, hemorrhoids, inflamed eyes, and digestive troubles. Even modern studies have shown marigolds to carry some anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

Homeopathic medicine also puts the flower’s strong fragrance to work. Through incense, perfumes, lotions, and essential oils, marigolds turn up in a number of aromatherapy practices. As always with folk remedies, treat this as tradition worth knowing rather than medical advice, and check with your doctor before using any plant to treat a condition.

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Practical Uses For Marigolds

Beyond folk medicine, marigolds have plenty of everyday uses. The Calendula type is edible, with a light citrus-like flavor that pairs well with salads and desserts. Oils infused with the petals make lively dressings, dips, or marinades, the flowers can be steeped into tea, and they even work as a natural food coloring, lending a bright yellow to a pot of rice.

Marigolds are rich in antioxidants and add a burst of fall color to all sorts of dishes. Keep in mind, though, that the Tagetes varieties are not as palatable and should be kept out of the kitchen.

All marigolds can be turned into lovely dyes for cloth, and the aroma of the flowers shows up in skin products, perfumes, lotions, cosmetics, candles, and more. Few flowers earn their place on the calendar and in the cupboard quite like this one.

Marigold Flowers In Art And Literature

It is no surprise that a flower this widespread, revered, and useful shows up again and again in culture, from movies and television to music. Marigolds are mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare, including The Winter’s Tale and All’s Well That Ends Well, as well as in poems and songs from many different artists.

The noted Mexican painter Frida Kahlo featured marigolds in many of her works, and the blooms appear on Aztec pottery as well as in modern tilework.

The name travels in more unusual places, too, including a city in central California and a gold mine in Nevada. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Marigold was a popular given name for several actresses and artists, and for one of Winston Churchill’s daughters.

Several naval ships have carried the name Marigold as well, most notably a US Army hospital ship in service from 1944 to 1946 during World War II, a fitting name given the flower’s long history in medicine. The ship served in both the Mediterranean and the Pacific, and was present in the fleet when the Japanese signed their official surrender on September 2, 1945.

Marigolds have even found their way into songs for all ages. They appear in “Inchworm” by Danny Kaye in 1952, a gentle counting song built to help children learn arithmetic. “Measuring the marigolds” runs through several of its verses.

Growing Marigolds

Given all they have going for them, it is little wonder marigolds are a favorite in the garden and the landscape. They are easy and versatile, whether planted in flowerbeds, set along a border, or tucked into seasonal containers as porch pots or window boxes. Because marigolds may deter rabbits as well as several kinds of insects, including mosquitoes, they are especially popular around patios, decks, and vegetable gardens, where they lend a bit of natural protection from unwanted guests.

Marigolds want a full sun spot to reach their most brilliant growth, and well-draining soil is a must. These fast-growing flowers can be started from seed or seedlings, but they should not go in the ground until the danger of frost has passed, which protects their delicate roots. The Clemson University Home and Garden Information Center offers a plain-English guide to marigold care if you want to confirm the details for your own beds.

A layer of mulch helps protect the plants and hold water at the base, since marigolds like soil that stays consistently moist but never soggy. Feed them once or twice a season with an all-purpose fertilizer, and once they start blooming in mid-summer, deadhead the spent flowers to keep abundant blooms coming through the first frost.

Not sure when to start? Check your plant hardiness zone for your local timing, then use the Best Days Calendar to pick a favorable planting date. If you like to plant by the Moon, the Gardening by the Moon Calendar lists this month’s best dates for flowers in your area.

For an extra autumnal touch that shows off these October birth flowers, plant marigolds directly in a hollowed-out pumpkin for an instant seasonal vase, or dry the blooms upside down earlier in the season so you can add them to autumn centerpieces later on.

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Cosmos, The Alternate October Birth Month Flower

As with most months, October claims more than one symbolic flower. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is widely considered a second option, and it adds even more beauty to the month. The name comes from the Greek “kosmos,” meaning order and the heavens, which gives these flowers an out-of-this-world character to match their star-shaped blooms.

Cosmos symbolize courage, passion, renewal, serenity, innocence, peace, calm, joy, and modesty, and their colors range from pink and red to white, orange, yellow, and several shades of purple. The balanced petals are easy on the eye, and the flowers grow readily from seed in much the same conditions marigolds prefer.

Also members of the Asteraceae family, cosmos are close cousins of the marigold. A mixed bouquet of both blooms can be especially meaningful for any October occasion, from birthdays and anniversaries to the wider run of celebrations and special events.

October Birth Flower: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the October birth flower?

The October birth flower is the marigold, best known for its rich orange-gold color. Two blooms share the honor: Tagetes erecta, the American marigold, and Calendula officinalis, the pot or common marigold. The cosmos is widely recognized as October’s alternate birth month flower.

What does the marigold symbolize?

Marigolds generally symbolize caring, joy, passion, warmth, devotion, abundance, and good fortune. Because they bloom through storms and cool rains, they also stand for perseverance and strength, and ruffled-petal varieties are said to represent creativity and innovation.

Why are marigolds used on Day of the Dead?

The ancient Aztecs considered marigolds sacred and believed their heady scent and bright color could light the way between the living and their ancestors. That tradition carries into Dia de los Muertos, celebrated November 1 to 2, when marigolds adorn altars, shrines, and graves as a sign of remembrance and respect.

Are marigolds edible?

The Calendula type of marigold is edible, with a light citrus-like flavor that suits salads, desserts, teas, and even natural food coloring for rice. The Tagetes varieties are not as palatable and should be kept out of the kitchen. As with any edible flower, be sure of the variety before you serve it.

When and how should I plant marigolds?

Plant marigolds in a full sun spot with well-draining soil once the danger of frost has passed. Start them from seed or seedlings, mulch to hold moisture, feed once or twice a season, and deadhead spent blooms to keep flowers coming through the first fall frost.

Do marigolds really keep pests away?

Gardeners have long planted marigolds to help deter rabbits and several insects, including mosquitoes, which is why you often see them around patios, decks, and vegetable beds. Treat it as time-tested garden tradition rather than a guarantee, and pair the flowers with your other favorite pest-control habits.

What is October’s other birth flower?

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is October’s alternate birth month flower. Its name comes from the Greek word for order and the heavens, and it symbolizes courage, renewal, serenity, and joy. Cosmos are close cousins of the marigold and grow in similar conditions, so the two make a natural mixed bouquet.

Join The Discussion

Which October birth month flower do you prefer: marigold, cosmos, or a different flower? 

Did anything surprise you about the marigold flower meaning?

Share your thoughts, tips, and tricks in the comments below!