Birth flower for October
The marigold is a sun-loving flower with a scent that insects find repellent, which is why gardeners have planted them alongside vegetables for centuries as a natural pest deterrent. Their vivid orange and gold colors come from carotenoid pigments, the same compounds that color carrots and egg yolks. In Mexico, marigolds are the flower of the dead — millions of them are used to decorate altars and graves during Dia de los Muertos, their strong scent believed to guide spirits back to the living world. Marigolds grow quickly, bloom profusely, and tolerate poor soil, making them one of the most forgiving flowers a beginning gardener can plant.
Why Marigold for October?
The marigold became October's flower because it blooms continuously until the first hard frost, making it the last splash of color in autumn gardens. Its association with the dead — central to Mexico's Dia de los Muertos celebrations in late October and early November — gave it a natural connection to the month that ends with Halloween.