Marsh marigold Caltha palustris
Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, native to Wetlands of the temperate and arctic northern hemisphere. It grows 20–45 cm (8–18 in) tall and 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
Plan Marsh marigold in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Marsh marigold at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Mature height | 20–45 cm (8–18 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Wetlands of the temperate and arctic northern hemisphere |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Marsh marigold toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts
Protoanemonin: blisters mouth and skin; vomiting if eaten raw.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Marsh marigold
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Marsh marigold in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (8 plants)
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (8 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (10 plants)
Questions about Marsh marigold
- How far apart should I plant Marsh marigold?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–45 cm (12–18 in).
- Does Marsh marigold need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Marsh marigold need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Marsh marigold?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Marsh marigold flower?
- From about April for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Marsh marigold poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Protoanemonin: blisters mouth and skin; vomiting if eaten raw.
- What grows well with Marsh marigold?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Marsh marigold. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- Bog garden or shallow margin (to 5 cm of water); early spring gold.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Hellebore (Lenten rose) Helleborus x hybridus
- Delphinium Delphinium elatum hybrids
- Common columbine Aquilegia vulgaris
- Japanese anemone Anemone hupehensis
- Larkspur Consolida ajacis
- Love-in-a-mist Nigella damascena
- Globeflower Trollius europaeus
- Christmas rose Helleborus niger