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Tagetes patula

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
tah-JEE-tees PAT-yoo-luh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

French Marigolds are compact bushy annuals from Mexico and the flowers come in various combinations of reds, oranges, and yellows. They need sun to partial sun in well-drained dry to moist soil. They will bloom the season-long if kept deadheaded of spent blooms. They are drought tolerant once established. The flowers and foliage have a pleasing or not so pleasing aroma and have been used to deter insects in the garden.

Great for beds, containers, or as an edging plant. They will attract pollinators to the garden. If planted in with the vegetables, chop up the plants and work into the soil once they are killed by frost to help deter nematodes. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Not generally a problem but can be susceptible to powdery mildew, Botrytis, leaf spot, and rots.  Spider mites and thrips may also be a problem.  Some cultivars have shown good resistance to abiotic disorder. See Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot in the Landscape.

 VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Pond Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alumia vanilla cream'
  • 'Aurora orange'
  • 'Bolero'
  • 'Bonanza deep orange'
  • 'Bonita mixed'
  • 'Brocade Mix'
  • 'Golden Boy'
  • 'Ground Control'
  • 'Janie Deep Orange'
    Good resistance to abiotic disorder.
  • 'Janie Spry'
    Good resistance to abiotic disorder.
'Alumia vanilla cream', 'Aurora orange', 'Bolero', 'Bonanza deep orange', 'Bonita mixed', 'Brocade Mix', 'Golden Boy', 'Ground Control', 'Janie Deep Orange', 'Janie Spry'
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#summer annual#red flowers#yellow flowers#fragrant leaves#orange flowers#edging#bicolor#dye plant#deer resistant#long bloom time#fantz#butterfly friendly#wilson mg plant sale 2021#container plant#annual#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alumia vanilla cream'
  • 'Aurora orange'
  • 'Bolero'
  • 'Bonanza deep orange'
  • 'Bonita mixed'
  • 'Brocade Mix'
  • 'Golden Boy'
  • 'Ground Control'
  • 'Janie Deep Orange'
    Good resistance to abiotic disorder.
  • 'Janie Spry'
    Good resistance to abiotic disorder.
'Alumia vanilla cream', 'Aurora orange', 'Bolero', 'Bonanza deep orange', 'Bonita mixed', 'Brocade Mix', 'Golden Boy', 'Ground Control', 'Janie Deep Orange', 'Janie Spry'
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#summer annual#red flowers#yellow flowers#fragrant leaves#orange flowers#edging#bicolor#dye plant#deer resistant#long bloom time#fantz#butterfly friendly#wilson mg plant sale 2021#container plant#annual#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tagetes
    Species:
    patula
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The plant is used in herbal medicine. The scent of foliage deters insects, roots exude a chemical that repels soil nematodes. The flowers can be used as a yellow dye.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico, Guatamala
    Wildlife Value:
    Deer Resistant
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Some cultivars have shown good resistance to abiotic disorder.
    Edibility:
    Flowers are used to make refreshing drinks and the leaves are used for flavoring.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Saucer
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1-2 inch wide flower heads are single, semi or fully double, or crested blooms that come in various color combinations of yellows, reds, and oranges.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Pinnately compound leaves are up to 6 inches long and have varying numbers of lance-shaped leaflets that are 2 or fewer inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Allelopathic
    Contact Dermatitis
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Skin redness, burning pain, and blisters when broken skin is in contact with cell sap plus sunlight; nose and eye irritation from aroma of flowers.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Phototoxic thiophene derivatives
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Roots