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
-
Tagetes erecta is a frequently cultivated tender, herbaceous annual or houseplant. Tall varieties may need staking, and spent flowers should be promptly deadheaded, as flower heads are heavy and can cause stems to snap. Tolerates clay and dry soil but prefers moist, well-drained soil. Tolerates full sun but appreciates some light afternoon shade. Leaves and flowers are fragrant when brushed or crushed. Pinch young plants to promote bushy growth.
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 2-3” diameter flowers on stems rising 10-18” tall. These triploids seem unaffected by high summer heat and generally bloom throughout the summer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is susceptible to powdery mildew, Botrytis, leaf spot, and rots. Watch for spider mites or thrips.
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- Raised Beds
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Antigua Orange'
- 'Antigua Primrose'
- 'Antigua Yellow'
- 'Atlantis Orange'
- 'Discovery Yellow'
- 'Double Eagle'
- 'Inca Orange'
- 'Inca Primrose'
- 'Indian Yellow'
- 'Maurel Yellow'
- 'Mesa Gold'
- 'Safari'
- 'Safari Tangerine'
- 'Sweet Cream'
- 'Antigua Orange'
- 'Antigua Orange', 'Antigua Primrose', 'Antigua Yellow', 'Atlantis Orange', 'Discovery Yellow', 'Double Eagle', 'Inca Orange', 'Inca Primrose', 'Indian Yellow', 'Maurel Yellow', 'Mesa Gold', 'Safari', 'Safari Tangerine', 'Sweet Cream'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Antigua Orange'
- 'Antigua Primrose'
- 'Antigua Yellow'
- 'Atlantis Orange'
- 'Discovery Yellow'
- 'Double Eagle'
- 'Inca Orange'
- 'Inca Primrose'
- 'Indian Yellow'
- 'Maurel Yellow'
- 'Mesa Gold'
- 'Safari'
- 'Safari Tangerine'
- 'Sweet Cream'
- 'Antigua Orange'
- 'Antigua Orange', 'Antigua Primrose', 'Antigua Yellow', 'Atlantis Orange', 'Discovery Yellow', 'Double Eagle', 'Inca Orange', 'Inca Primrose', 'Indian Yellow', 'Maurel Yellow', 'Mesa Gold', 'Safari', 'Safari Tangerine', 'Sweet Cream'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tagetes
- Species:
- erecta
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to Guatemala
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
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
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- 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
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Yellow, orange, mahogany, bronze, creamy white and bicolor; double solitary 2-6 in. flowers blooming on slender heads
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- gland-dotted and aromatic; leaves opposite or alternate above, pinnately lobed and appearing divided, the lobes narrow and toothed
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
-
-
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
