Tagetes erecta
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Tagetes elongata
- Phonetic Spelling
- tah-JEE-tees ee-RECK-tah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Tagetes erecta, or African Marigold, is a frequently cultivated, tender, flowering, herbaceous annual or houseplant known for its large flowerheads. Tall varieties may need staking, and spent flowers should be promptly deadheaded, as flower heads are heavy and can cause stems to snap. Triploid F1 hybrids (T. erecta x T. patula) combine the large flowers of the African marigold with the more compact size of the French marigold into vigorous plants featuring 2 to 3 inch diameter flowers on stems rising 10 to 18 inches tall. These triploids seem unaffected by high summer heat and generally bloom throughout the summer. The genus, Tagetes, is named for an Etruscan deity, Tages and the specific epithet means erect or upright.
Despite its name, the plant is native to Mexico and uncultivated African Marigolds can be found in pine-oak forests and as escapees from a garden growing along the sides of roads. African Marigold tolerates clay and dry soil but prefers evenly moist, well-drained soil. It does well in full sun, which encourages blooms, but appreciates some light afternoon shade; however, it does not do well in full shade. Leaves and flowers are fragrant when brushed or crushed. You can pinch back young plants to promote bushy growth.
It will grow best from seed that you can start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost date and is also available as plants in six packs from local nurseries. Set plants out after last frost date. Plant taller varieties deep is sites protected from strong wind or heavy rain to minimize the need for stem support. Promptly deadhead spent flowers.
Diseases, Insects and Other Plant Problems:
Possible diseases include botrytis, leaf spot, phytopthora, powdery mildew, and other rots. Potential insects include Thrips, slugs and spider mites. Some cultivars have shown good to excellent resistance to phytophthora and fusarium wilt while other cultivars show poor resistance to abiotic disorder and fusarium wilt. 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:
- Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Antigua Orange'
Good resistance to fusarium wilt. - 'Antigua Primrose'
- 'Antigua Yellow'
Excellent resistance to phytophthora. - 'Atlantis Orange'
- 'Discovery Yellow'
- 'Double Eagle'
- 'Inca Orange'
- 'Inca Primrose'
- 'Inca Yellow'
Poor resistance to abiotic disorder. - 'Indian Yellow'
- 'Maurel Yellow'
- 'Mesa Gold'
- 'Proud Yellow'
Poor resistance to abiotic disorder and fusarium wilt. - 'Safari'
- 'Safari Tangerine'
- 'Sweet Cream'
- 'Antigua Orange'
- 'Antigua Orange', 'Antigua Primrose', 'Antigua Yellow', 'Atlantis Orange', 'Discovery Yellow', 'Double Eagle', 'Inca Orange', 'Inca Primrose', 'Inca Yellow', 'Indian Yellow', 'Maurel Yellow', 'Mesa Gold', 'Proud Yellow', 'Safari', 'Safari Tangerine', 'Sweet Cream'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Antigua Orange'
Good resistance to fusarium wilt. - 'Antigua Primrose'
- 'Antigua Yellow'
Excellent resistance to phytophthora. - 'Atlantis Orange'
- 'Discovery Yellow'
- 'Double Eagle'
- 'Inca Orange'
- 'Inca Primrose'
- 'Inca Yellow'
Poor resistance to abiotic disorder. - 'Indian Yellow'
- 'Maurel Yellow'
- 'Mesa Gold'
- 'Proud Yellow'
Poor resistance to abiotic disorder and fusarium wilt. - 'Safari'
- 'Safari Tangerine'
- 'Sweet Cream'
- 'Antigua Orange'
- 'Antigua Orange', 'Antigua Primrose', 'Antigua Yellow', 'Atlantis Orange', 'Discovery Yellow', 'Double Eagle', 'Inca Orange', 'Inca Primrose', 'Inca Yellow', 'Indian Yellow', 'Maurel Yellow', 'Mesa Gold', 'Proud Yellow', 'Safari', 'Safari Tangerine', 'Sweet Cream'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tagetes
- Species:
- erecta
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Popular in the cut flower trade, the plant was gathered for ceremonial and decorative uses by the Aztecs.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to Guatemala
- Distribution:
- Southern North America
- Wildlife Value:
- attracts butterflies
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is seldom damaged by deer. Some cultivars have good to excellent resistance to phytophthora and fusarium wilt.
- Edibility:
- Sap or juice can cause a rash.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Yellow, orange, mahogany, bronze, creamy white and bicolor; double solitary 2 to 6 inch flowers blooming on slender heads from early summer to early fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Gland-dotted and aromatic; leaves opposite at the bottom and alternate above, pinnately lobed and appearing divided, the lobes narrow and toothed.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- The stem is striated, sometimes ridged, smooth or slightly with villi, cylindrical, oval and herbaceous to slightly woody, with resin channels in the bark, which are aromatic when squeezed.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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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 the aroma of flowers
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Phototoxic thiophene derivatives
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Roots
- Sap/Juice