Why marigolds still do not make it into Indian bouquets

We use genda extensively around the year, in happy as well as sad times, but just don't see it in bouquets at all.Marigold bouquets are a thing in the West, but not in India. (Bouquet arrangement by Manu Mahalwar of Blooming Tales)From glitzy weddings and larger-than-life political rallies to intimate floral decorations and final rites at the crematorium, marigolds blanket Indian life in vivid orange and yellow. Yet, there is one place this bright and beauteous bloom remains entirely missing: the florist’s bouquet.Native to Mexico, marigolds only arrived in India via Spanish and Portuguese traders during the 16th century. The plant adapted so seamlessly to Indian soil and traditions that it went on to become, as The New York Times once noted, the very “emblem of Indian culture.”We use genda extensively around the year, in happy as well as sad times, but just don’t see it in bouquets at all. Walk into any Indian flower shop, and you will find roses, lilies, orchids, sunflowers, carnations and gerberas alongside traditional favourites like mogra and rajnigandha - or even trendy imported wildflowers. But marigolds? They remain limited to ceremonial garlands, rangoli petals, and festive flower showers. Marigold galore at a flower market. (Photo: Pexels) But doomscrolling has a way of taking us to unexpected corners of the world. Just a few days ago, I chanced upon a video of a woman at a local flower market in New Jersey crafting a hand-tied bouquet. As a fellow flower lover, I watched with delight as she gathered airy pastel-pink stems alongside a few soft yellow blooms - only to crown the arrangement with big, radiant orange marigolds. Placed right at the end, that final touch was impossible to ignore: the dense, fiery blossoms instantly breathed life into the entire bouquet. Watch the clip here:The algorithm then did its thing, and I was bombarded with visuals of beautiful bouquets, accentuated with marigolds. Turns out, adding marigolds to bouquets is pretty common in the West and they look absolutely breathtaking. That intense, cheerful splash of colour elevates everything it touches. It pairs seamlessly with soft pinks and yellows, yet strikes an even more gorgeous contrast when set against whites, cool lilacs, lush greens, or vibrant, multi-hued arrangements.In India, genda is almost too familiar. We grow up seeing marigolds used in torans, at temples, and in weddings, so we often associate them with tradition and rituals rather than modern romance.“It is deeply rooted in our religious and cultural traditions,” explains Manu Mahalwar, founder of Blooming Tales. “So when people see marigolds, they instinctively think of garlands, mandap decor, and temple offerings rather than a contemporary hand-tied bouquet.”Anshul Chawla of 1 Magnolia Lane puts it even more bluntly: genda is almost too common and that works against it. Because it is everywhere and comes with a low price tag, Indian consumers struggle to view it as a luxury material. The consumer mentality is such that, instead of appreciating the creativity, people question the use of a flower that feels cheap and easily accessible. This clashes with the traditional mindset of paying a premium for a fancy bouquet.Nevertheless, his team of bouquet designers has created some amazing floral arrangements featuring marigolds. “But they have mostly been for Diwali, which again syncs with the traditional appeal of marigolds,” he says. Flower arrangement ft. marigolds by 1 Magnolia Lane. Anuja Joshi, founder of Interflora, agrees that the intense familiarity actually blinds us to the flower’s artistic potential. “In the West, where the flower doesn't carry quite the same everyday associations, there is perhaps more freedom to look at it simply as a beautiful floral material for its colour, texture, and form,” she points out.The wholesale nightmare: Where have all the stems gone?Beyond perception, there is a massive logistical hurdle holding back a genda revolution: the supply chain itself.If you walk into a wholesale phool mandi anywhere in India, marigolds are traded almost exclusively as loose flower heads meant for threading onto strings. Long, sturdy stems - the absolute backbone of bouquet-making - are virtually non-existent in the commercial market.“Thank God you brought this up!” exclaims Manu. “In the flower market, marigolds with stems are not found. God knows why! The challenge for Indian florists is that without a proper stem, you can’t treat them in the same way as you would a rose or carnation. But if you procure them directly from a farmer with stems, it completely changes the possibilities.” In Indian flower markers, marigolds are either sold as strings or as loose flowers with barely-there stems. (Photo: Pexels) Chawla also says local markets simply lack the supply chain for long-stemmed marigolds. Attempting to artificially lengthen them with wires or fake stems strips away the longevity: “If we use artificial stems, then there won’t be life.”But marigolds in bouquets do look stellarAt the same time, florists agree that marigolds possess a visual superpower that modern floristry is missing out on. With their densely layered, ruffled petals, they bring instant volume, rich earthy character, and a pop of unmistakable energy."They have the potential to be much more versatile,” says Manu. A stunning marigold bouquet by Manu Mahalwar of Blooming Tales. "The majority of people in India have simply never experienced marigolds presented in a modern bouquet," says Manu. "Once people start seeing them styled differently and it becomes a trend, why can't it become popular here as well? It’s simply time we looked at genda beyond the garland,” he adds.Joshi, meanwhile, suggests stepping away from traditional festive palettes and pairing different varieties - from soft, creamy yellows to deep, burnt oranges - with unexpected colors and delicate textures to create striking contrast.As she sums it up: “Sometimes, the most interesting floral design comes from taking something we think we already know, and showing it to someone in a completely new way."Next time you’re picking out a bouquet, don't be afraid to add a burst of radiant marigold. Trust us—your arrangement will thank you for the extra splash of joy.- EndsPublished By: Medha ChawlaPublished On: Sep 10, 2026 07:39 IST