I grew up in the Catholic church and with a November 1st birthday always knew about All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. But it wasn’t until I lived in San Antonio that I knew about the connection between certain flowers and the Day of the Dead.

As the first days of November arrive, marigolds glow across gardens, altars, and cemeteries in Mexico and throughout the Southwest. Known as cempasúchil in Spanish, these fiery orange or gold flowers have become one of the most recognizable symbols of Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. Their warm color and distinctive fragrance are believed to help guide the spirits of loved ones home for the annual celebration of remembrance.

The use of marigolds in this ancient festival dates back to the Aztecs, who honored the goddess Mictecacihuatl, “Lady of the Dead.” They associated the flower’s brilliant hue with the warmth of the sun, believing that its light and scent could attract souls to the offerings prepared in their honor. When Catholic traditions merged with indigenous beliefs, the Day of the Dead emerged as a blend of pre-Columbian spirituality and All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day observances, celebrated on November 1 and 2.

In Mexican culture, marigolds symbolize the fragility and beauty of life. The petals are often scattered along pathways leading to graves or home altars, creating a floral trail said to help returning souls find their way. On altars, or ofrendas, marigolds mingle with photographs, candles, food, and other cherished items representing those who have passed.

Botanically speaking, the marigold most often used in these celebrations is Tagetes erecta, commonly called the Mexican marigold or Aztec marigold. This annual species, native to Mexico and Central America, has been cultivated for centuries for its bright blooms and medicinal properties. The smaller annual French marigolds (Tagetes patula) is also native to Mexico and is often grown in American flower beds. Mexican mint marigold (Tagetes lucida) is a fall-blooming perennial species and designated as a Texas Superstar. 

In addition to their cultural and garden value, marigolds serve as a powerful reminder of connection between people, between generations, and between life and death. They represent the cycle of nature in vivid color.

Whether you grow marigolds for beauty, symbolism, or pollinator appeal, take time this fall to appreciate their deeper meaning. These golden flowers bridge worlds, celebrating both the living and the departed.

Greg Grant, Ph.D., is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tyler. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, read his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens” or “Pines, Pawpaws, and Pocket Prairies.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.