Marigolds are beloved garden flowers known for their bright, cheerful blooms. But did you know there are many other flowers that look similar? These marigold lookalikes can add variety to your garden while keeping that sunny, vibrant style you love.
You can find flowers that resemble marigolds in shape, color, or both. Some are closely related to true marigolds, while others just happen to share a similar appearance. By mixing these look-alike flowers with real marigolds, you can create eye-catching garden displays and flower arrangements with depth and interest.
In this article, we'll cover
1. Calendula
Calendula looks a lot like marigolds. You might hear people call it pot marigold too. It has bright orange or yellow flowers that will cheer up your garden.
The petals are longer than regular marigolds. The leaves are rounder and wider too. Calendula is great for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard.
2. African Marigold
African marigolds are big, bold flowers that might catch your eye. They have large pom-pom like blooms in yellow, orange, and white shades.
These flowers grow tall, often reaching up to 2 feet high. You’ll find them easy to grow in your garden or in pots.
3. French Marigold
French marigolds are small, compact flowers that look a lot like regular marigolds. You’ll love their bright colors – they come in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
These pretty blooms grow about 6-12 inches tall. They’re great for garden borders or pots on your patio. French marigolds are easy to grow and bloom all summer long.
4. Zinnia
Zinnias look a lot like marigolds. They have round, puffy flowers with many petals. You can find zinnias in bright colors like orange, yellow, and red.
These cheerful blooms are easy to grow in your garden. Plant them in sunny spots for the best results. Zinnias attract butterflies and make great cut flowers for bouquets.
5. Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia, also known as black-eyed Susan, looks a lot like marigolds. You’ll love its cheerful yellow or orange petals around a dark center.
These flowers are great for your garden borders. They attract butterflies and birds too. Rudbeckia is easy to grow and comes back year after year.
Try planting ‘Cherokee Sunset’ for double blooms that look like dahlias. Or pick ‘Green Eyes’ for a unique green center instead of the usual black.
6. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a flower that looks a lot like marigolds. You might know it as tickseed. It has bright yellow and red petals that are shaped like daisies.
Coreopsis is great for wildflower gardens. Bees and butterflies love these flowers. They come back year after year, unlike marigolds which only last one season.
You can easily grow coreopsis from seeds. They do well in sunny spots and don’t need much water. These flowers are perfect if you want a low-maintenance garden that looks pretty all summer long.
7. Bidens
Bidens is a flower that looks a lot like marigolds. You’ll notice its bright yellow petals that resemble rays of sunshine. These cheerful blooms appear in late summer and fall.
Bidens plants are easy to grow and attract bees and butterflies to your garden. You can find varieties that grow 12 to 14 inches tall, perfect for garden borders or containers.
8. Cosmos
Cosmos flowers can look a lot like marigolds. You’ll love their daisy-like blooms in shades of pink, white, and orange. These easy-to-grow annuals add a cheerful touch to your garden.
Plant cosmos in full sun for the best results. They’re perfect for cutting gardens and attract butterflies too. With their feathery foliage, cosmos bring a light, airy feel to your flower beds.
9. Mexican Sunflower
Mexican Sunflower looks a lot like marigolds but grows much taller. You’ll see bright orange-red flowers on plants that can reach 6 feet high.
These flowers love hot, sunny spots in your garden. They’re easy to grow and bloom from summer until fall. Butterflies and bees really like them too.
10. Tithonia
Tithonia, also called Mexican sunflower, looks a lot like marigolds. You’ll love its bright orange-red petals and yellow center. These flowers grow tall, up to 6 feet!
Plant Tithonia in your garden for a splash of color. They attract butterflies and bees too. You can start them from seeds or small plants.
11. Pot Marigold
Pot marigold, also known as calendula, looks a lot like regular marigolds. You’ll love its bright orange and yellow flowers. They have open, daisy-like blooms that are bigger than typical marigolds.
These cheerful flowers are easy to grow in your garden. You can even use the petals in cooking as a saffron substitute!
12. Tagetes Lucida
Tagetes lucida, also known as Mexican mint marigold, looks a lot like regular marigolds. You’ll love its yellow flowers that bloom in fall. This plant is easy to grow and can handle heat and dry spells.
The leaves smell nice, like licorice. You can plant it in sunny spots with soil that drains well. Give each plant some space to grow big and healthy.
13. Elliot’s Yellow-eyed Grass
Elliot’s Yellow-eyed Grass is a charming flower that can remind you of marigolds. It has bright yellow blooms that stand out in any garden.
This plant grows low to the ground and forms small clumps. You’ll love how it adds a pop of color to your flower beds or rock gardens.
14. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums look a lot like marigolds. You’ll see them in many colors like yellow, orange, and red. These flowers have round, puffy heads with layers of petals.
Chrysanthemums bloom in the fall. You can plant them in your garden for a burst of color when other flowers are fading. They’re easy to grow and can handle cooler weather.
15. Safflower
Safflowers look a lot like marigolds with their bright orange or yellow blooms. You might mistake them for marigolds at first glance!
These annual plants grow into small bushes with sturdy stems. Each stem has a big flower on top made up of many little florets.
Safflowers are easy to grow and can add a pop of color to your garden. They’re not just pretty – you can also harvest their seeds for oil or use them as a natural dye.