The birth flower for October, with a vibrant hue that instantly conjures autumnal thoughts – there’s no better stem to feature as our Flower of the Month than the marigold (also known as the calendula stem).
![Floom Fotm Marigold 1](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=0edc6cc014f12e3febddce2c8532ce45 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=fc114064b635a00d352c4297aaf11dd5 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=0d388312e587bf91218a5f7fce8c0a63 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=adf2fb1c537254d5809c921ea8b2fbba 400w)
A brief history
Despite being native to the Mediterranean, the marigold was first recorded by the Aztecs, who were firm believers that the striking tangerine-hued stem possessed magical properties. With this in mind, Spanish conquistadors took marigold stems back to Spain with them, where they were grown in monasteries before spreading across Europe, and of course the rest of the world.
Throughout history, marigolds have been widely known for three main uses: as dyes thanks to their vibrant colour, as culinary ingredients (yes, some are edible, too), and for their health properties. While in Mexico and Latin America, they’re widely used as a decoration for All Saints Day, and in India they’re a sacred flower used to decorate statues of Hindu deities, and worn as garlands by the bride and groom at wedding ceremonies. Each year a traditional marigold harvest happens in India, that sees thousands of gloriously golden orange flower heads picked and gathered for such occasions.
![Floom Fotm Marigold 3](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=fec8df37fa331a5c69e5b777f1b0a521 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=73f0c06dafe1a7915d5dbd3d170422eb 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=ea7a2565d518d91f4314e1d78b51617a 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=20fce126c68f1aaa5b07eddd5d4b287a 400w)
As part of the Asteraceae daisy family, marigolds are in good company with sunflowers, asters and daisies amongst their ranks. And thanks to their ability to bloom brightly from spring through to autumn, the marigold has become a most popular stem that brings a wealth of gold, copper, and brass into our homes and gardens each year.
The language of flowers
With their intense colour, it’s no wonder marigolds are symbolic of both of passion and creativity. They’ve long been considered a gesture of loyalty and elegance, too. So if you’re looking to send a stem that screams devotion, marigolds are your go-to. And as the birth flower for October – synonymous with the warm personalities of those born during this month – they make for a fine birthday bouquet.
![Floom Fotm Marigold 2](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=f36659b8015701356799db2f474aaf53 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=3c2b9e2ee8de3a622d12d79ab9b29d82 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=9e655b769ea5fd5800875b28559c7609 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-fotm-marigold-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=0bdb4f32d73241eb2e571d3d5f1004c6 400w)