Species French marigold
orange flowers with green leaves and stems

French marigold

Tagetes patula ( syn. T. erecta )

The French marigold (Tagetes patula) is a species of bright, compact garden flower found in many parts of the world. It is a hardy annual that prefers sunny, well-drained areas, and can reach up to 12 inches in height. Its spreading green bushy foliage is covered with a bright array of small, vivid yellow and orange double-petalled flowers. The French marigold is an excellent choice for both ornamental and edible gardens. When the flowers are dried or consumed fresh, they have a sweet, minty, pungent taste with hints of citrus and spice. This sturdy annual blooms in late summer and fall, and with proper care can return year after year.

Cycle:

Annual

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

9

Flowers:

Showy, Yellow, Orange Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Well-drained

Fruits:

brown,black Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

red,yellow,orange,maroon

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water French marigolds regularly at least once a week. Water is best applied early in the morning or later in the evening. Before watering, check the soil moisture level by putting your finger in the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil is dry, give the plant enough water to moisten the soil down to the bottom of the pot. Do not overwater the plant, as too much water can cause root rot. During hot weather, marigolds may need to be watered more often to keep them looking their best.

sunlight

Tags patula (syn. T. erecta) is an annual flowering plant that is happiest when grown in full sun. Marigold requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day, with some varieties requiring up to 10 hours per day. It's best to plant them in an area with direct morning light and indirect or filtered afternoon sunlight. Avoid shady locations that will cause the plants to become leggy or spindly. If possible, Marigold should be planted in a location that receives consistent sunlight exposure throughout the day.

pruning

French marigolds (Tagetes patula (syn. T. erecta) should be pruned regularly to encourage new growth and stronger stems. This can be done with pruning shears and by lightly cutting back any dead or wilted stems. Pruning should be done monthly or more often during periods of peak growth. Removing spent blooms encourages further blooms and helps maintain the plant's bushiness. It is also important to watch for signs of disease or stress and prune away any affected stems or leaves. As a general rule, try to keep the plant’s height to a maximum of about 12 inches. This will ensure there is enough energy to sustain an abundance of blossoms.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

French marigolds typically start flowering in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

French marigolds typically start flowering in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits of Tagetes patula is in July and August.

Hardiness Map