Plant profile

Marigolds

Genus Baileya

Desert marigolds are sunny, daisy-like wildflowers in the genus Baileya that bring bright color and steady nectar to warm, open garden spots.

Plant Type

Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Marigolds

Aliases

Desert marigold

Native Range

Desert and dry regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico (varies by species).

Bloom window

Long-blooming in warm, sunny conditions (often in waves)

Overview Summary Impact Recognition Location Requirements Glossary Get Involved

OVERVIEW

About This Plant

Desert marigolds (genus Baileya) are bright, daisy-like wildflowers that fit beautifully into sunny, well-drained garden spaces. They’re a great choice when you want a plant that looks cheerful, doesn’t ask for much, and can be part of a pollinator-friendly patch.

If you’re gardening in a place with heavier soil or regular watering, the main trick is drainage. Think “dry feet”: choose a spot that doesn’t stay soggy, or use a container with a gritty mix. Once established, these plants generally do better with less fuss than with constant attention.

For pollinators, the simplest win is to plant a small cluster and keep blooms pesticide-free. More flowers in one place makes it easier for insects to find and use your patch.

Best role for pollinators

Sunny, well-drained beds and containers where you want bright color and pollinator activity with low fuss.

Marigolds (Baileya spp.) — https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/165874705 Photo: (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) | CC-BY | iNaturalist

FAST FACTS

Quick Details

Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.

Category	Details
Also known as	Desert marigold
Bloom window	Long-blooming in warm, sunny conditions (often in waves)
Typical height	Low to medium (varies by species and conditions)
Pollinators supported	Bees, Butterflies
Light & moisture	Full sun; dry to medium moisture with good drainage
Best roles for pollinators	Sunny, well-drained beds and containers where you want bright color and pollinator activity with low fuss.

SUMMARY

If You Remember Three Things

A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.

What they do

Provide bright, easy-to-find flowers that can support visiting pollinators in sunny garden spaces.

What they need

Sun and fast-draining soil, with watering that lets the soil dry a bit between drinks.

One best action

Give them the sunniest spot you have and avoid keeping the soil constantly wet.

IMPACT

Why Plant This?

Even a small planting of desert marigolds can add bright, pollinator-friendly flowers to sunny spaces, making it easier to create a simple habitat patch at home or at school.

Many desert-adapted wildflowers look their best when they get plenty of sun and a chance for the soil to dry between waterings.

Key Impacts

What it Supports

Adds pollinator-friendly blooms to hot, open areas where some plants struggle.
Works well in simple habitat patches, including large pots and school gardens.
Encourages more flower visits when planted in small groups.

RECOGNITION

Identification Guide

Use these quick clues to recognize desert marigolds in the genus Baileya.

Leaves

Leaves vary by species, but plants often have a soft, wildflower look suited to dry, sunny sites.

Flowers

Yellow, daisy-like blooms with a central disk; showy and easy to notice from a distance.

Fruits

Small, dry seed heads typical of daisy-family plants.

LOCATION

Where It Grows

Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.

Habitats

Open, sunny areas
Dry slopes and flats
Sandy or gravelly ground

Where it is often used

Pollinator patch
Sunny border or front-of-bed color
Rock or gravel garden
Container planting (large pot with drainage)
School garden habitat strip

SEASONALITY

When It Blooms

Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.

Bloom window

Desert marigolds can bloom in repeated flushes when conditions are bright and warm.

Bloom Season Role: Reliable, repeat-blooming color in sunny spots

Seasonal benefits

Helps keep flowers available when some plants pause in heat
Pairs well with other sun-loving wildflowers for a longer season of blooms

REQUIREMENTS

What It Needs

The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.

Sun exposure

Full sun is best for strong flowering and compact growth.

Soil type

Well-drained soil; sandy or gravelly mixes work well. Avoid heavy, water-holding clay unless amended for drainage.

Moisture needs

Water to help establish, then let the soil dry somewhat between waterings. In containers, water when the top of the mix feels dry.

Planting method

Plant in a warm, sunny spot with good airflow. Give each plant a little space so leaves dry quickly after watering.

Mulching tips

Use a light layer of gravel or coarse mulch if you mulch at all; avoid thick, wet organic mulch piled against the crown.

GARDENING GUIDE

How to Grow It

Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.

Planting tips

Choose the sunniest location you have, with fast-draining soil or a pot with drainage holes.
Loosen the soil and mix in grit or sand if drainage is slow.
Plant at the same depth as the pot it came in and firm the soil gently.
Water in once, then water again only when the soil has started to dry.
If planting more than one, group them to make a more noticeable “landing zone” for pollinators.

Seasonal care

Deadhead (snip off spent blooms) to encourage more flowering, if you want a tidier look.
Avoid frequent, shallow watering; water less often but more thoroughly, then let the soil dry.
Keep the area weeded so young plants don’t get crowded.
Skip pesticides; if pests show up, try hand-picking, rinsing with water, or improving airflow first.