Question
My 7 year old planted a merigold plant and brought it home in a dixi cup...I would like to know if it would grow indoors as a houseplant in a hanging pot?...See I do not have much of a Lawn where I live and I would like to keep my sons plant growing...I am so proud of what he has started would hate to see it die.  

Answer
To help you, I must first be the teacher. The first lesson is about types of plants. You already know that there are indoor plants (houseplants) or, outdoor plants. A Marigold is an outdoor plant. There are also upright plants, and hanging plants. A Marigold is an upright plant. There are plants that like full sun, and plants that like shade. Marigolds like full sun. There are annual plants that only live for one year and die after the first frost, and perennials that come back every year. Marigolds are annuals. Even if you brought it into the house in the winter, before the frost, it would not live. It is possible to save the seed and try to plant it in the spring, in a sunny window.
I would put the Marigold in a nice shallow pot with room enough for some white Alyssum, and some purple Bacopa. Put the Marigold in the center. Plant the Alyssum around it, and the Bacopa hanging over the edge. Place the pot in the sun, and water it generously when it is dry. Take off the spent flowers, so it will produce more flowers, and check it everyday to see if it is doing well.
It is good to encourage children at an early age to learn about growing plants. I hope I was able to teach you both something about Marigolds. I suggest using all of the many resourses to find out about other favorite plants. Remember, for a plant to do well, it needs to have the conditions that are best suited for the type of plant that it is.

bakerplanter