How To Use Marigolds For Pest Control | Gardener's Path

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Learn more about dealing with slugs and snails in our guide.

Put Marigolds to Work in Your Garden

I know what you’re thinking.

You probably took one look at this list and thought they might be imbued with some sort of seemingly magical pest-repelling powers (minus their ability to attract slugs and snails, of course). Unfortunately, that’s not the way evolution works.

Testing has shown that marigolds don’t repel cabbage flies (Delia radicum) or onion flies (D. antiqua), for example.

Orange marigold growing between several types of leafy greens in a raised bed veggie garden.

Still, they’re quite effective at controlling several of the more annoying varieties of garden pests, which makes them invaluable in the garden in my eyes. And who knows what other wonders we’ll discover about these garden helpers in the future?

Are there any other plants that you’ve found to be pest-repelling powerhouses? Share in the comments so we can all benefit!

If you’re curious to learn more about marigolds, we have some excellent guides that you might be interested in reading next, starting with these:

  • When and How to Plant Marigold Seeds
  • Tips for Deadheading Marigolds
  • 7 Steps to Harvesting and Saving Marigold Seeds
  • Are Marigold Flowers Edible?
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© Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published March 27th, 2022. Last updated April 27th, 2025. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock.

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