Tagetes patula
Tagetes patula is the French marigold, a compact annual native to Mexico and Guatemala. It is valued for a bushy habit and abundant single to double blooms in yellow, orange, red, and bicolors. Plants grow best in full sun and evenly moist, well‑drained soil. Flowering runs from early summer to frost with deadheading. Bloom may slow during the hottest weeks, then resume as nights cool. Across North America it is treated as a warm‑season annual. Short, sturdy stems can be cut for small bouquets.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: French marigold (species)
- Height × spread: 6-12 in × 6-9 in (15-30 cm × 15-23 cm)
- Bloom window: June to frost
- Color & flower form: Yellow, orange, red, and bicolor; single to double 1-2 in
- Fragrance: 2 noticeable
- USDA hardiness: grown as annual in most of North America
- Breeder / Year / Origin: Linnaeus, 1753, Mexico and Guatemala
- Cut‑flower notes: Short stems; arrange as posies; vase life about 5-10 days
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- More compact, mounded habit than African marigold.
- Broader color range and bicolors.
- Earlier and more continuous bedding color in small spaces.
- Suited to edging and container culture.
Strengths
- Reliable season‑long color with minimal care.
- Performs well in containers and along edges.
- Deer tend to avoid foliage.
- Uniform growth for mass planting.
Care in one minute
- Full sun; average, well‑drained soil.
- Water regularly in dry spells; avoid soggy soil.
- Light fertilizer at transplant; avoid excess nitrogen.
- Pinch once to encourage branching; deadhead to keep blooms coming.
- No overwintering outdoors in cold zones.
Watch‑outs
- Flowering can pause in peak summer heat.
- Powdery mildew or Botrytis may develop in wet, humid periods.
- Spider mites and thrips can appear in hot, dry weather.
Best uses (tags)
containers, edging, borders, pollinators, bedding
Provenance note
: Described by Linnaeus in 1753; native to Mexico and Guatemala; widely bred for bedding performance.
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden – Tagetes patula profile
- Clemson University HGIC – Marigold
- NC State Extension – Tagetes (genus) profile
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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