Marigold vs Verbena

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Marigold

Tagetes spp.

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Verbena

Verbena bonariensis

Verbenaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Marigold (Zones 2-11)

Verbena (Zones 7-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Marigold	Verbena
Scientific Name	Tagetes spp.	Verbena bonariensis
Family	Asteraceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	2'	5'
Spread	1'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red	Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Americas	South America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Marigold

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Verbena

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Marigold

✓Deadhead regularly for continuous bloom.
✓Roots exude substances that repel nematodes — excellent companion plant for vegetables.
✓Direct sow or transplant.

Verbena

✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Let seedlings naturalize.
✓Cut back in spring in warm climates.
✓Excellent drainage essential.
✓Pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Marigold if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Choose Verbena if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 7–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View MarigoldProfile →View VerbenaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Marigold and Verbena grow in the same hardiness zone?

Marigold grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Verbena grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 11.

Do Marigold and Verbena have the same sun and water needs?

Marigold needs full sun and medium water, while Verbena needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Marigold or Verbena?

Verbena grows taller at 5' compared to Marigold at 2'. Verbena spreads 1' 6" while Marigold spreads 1'.

Are Marigold and Verbena deer resistant?

Yes, both Marigold and Verbena are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Marigold or Verbena?

Both Marigold and Verbena have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Marigold	Verbena
Scientific Name	Tagetes spp.	Verbena bonariensis
Family	Asteraceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	2'	5'
Spread	1'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red	Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Americas	South America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Marigold

✓Deadhead regularly for continuous bloom.
✓Roots exude substances that repel nematodes — excellent companion plant for vegetables.
✓Direct sow or transplant.

Verbena

✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Let seedlings naturalize.
✓Cut back in spring in warm climates.
✓Excellent drainage essential.
✓Pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Marigold if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Choose Verbena if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 7–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Marigold and Verbena grow in the same hardiness zone?

Marigold grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Verbena grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 11.

Do Marigold and Verbena have the same sun and water needs?

Marigold needs full sun and medium water, while Verbena needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Marigold or Verbena?

Verbena grows taller at 5' compared to Marigold at 2'. Verbena spreads 1' 6" while Marigold spreads 1'.

Are Marigold and Verbena deer resistant?

Yes, both Marigold and Verbena are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Marigold or Verbena?

Both Marigold and Verbena have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.