Tagetes
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- TAG-e-teez
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Tagetes, or marigolds, is a genus in the sunflower or aster family that includes 49 species of flowering, herbaceous plants with a shrubby form that are native to Central and South America and have been introduced throughout the world. Depending on their environment and whether they are grown as an outdoor or indoor plant, Marigolds can be annuals or perennials. The plants give off a strong aroma when crushed and marigold flowers are bitter with a spicy, herbal flavor. The 'Lemon Gem' and 'Tangerine Gem' cultivars, however, are quite flavorful. The flowers can be made more palatable if you remove the bitter, white base of the petal. The plant is often used in tea, to color foods, and as a substitute for tarragon; however, it can be harmful if eaten in large amounts. The juice, sap, or thorns of these plants may cause a painful skin rash or irritation. Wash the affected area of skin with soap and water as soon as possible after contact.
The name Tagetes comes from the name of an Etruscan seer supposedly born from the plowing of the earth and refers to the ease with which plants of this genus come out each year either by the seeds produced in the previous year, or by the stems which regrow from the stump already in place. The common name, marigold, is a shortened form of "Mary's gold". Depending on species, Marigolds can range from 4 inches high to as much as 7 feet. Again, depending on the species, Marigolds grow well in almost any sort of soil with good drainage, and some cultivars are known to have good tolerance to drought. They can grow in full or partial sun, but full sun encourages blooms.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Marigolds can be susceptible to leaf spot and flower blight. Slugs can also be a problem.
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 landscapes:
- Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County Vegetable Garden and Pollinator Plants Flower Bonanza Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:














- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tagetes
- Species:
- spp.
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape in flower gardens as tender, herbaceous annual.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico, Central and South America
- Distribution:
- United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia
- Wildlife Value:
- Seldom damaged by deer. Butterflies feed on this plant.
- Edibility:
- 'Lemon Gem’ and ‘Tangerine Gem’ have the best flavor; remove the bitter, white base of the petal. May be harmful if eaten in large amounts. Used in tea, coloring foods, substitute for tarragon.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herb
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Achenes black, narrowly cylindrical; pappus of 1 to 3 setae and 7 to 9 much shorter scales with ciliate margins.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Depending on species, flowers can be solitary or in dense corymbs, terminal, heterogamous; phyllaries in a single row (rarely in 2 rows), the margins connate, glandular; receptacle epaleate.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Denticulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves of various species can be opposite or alternate, usually pinnate, sometimes simple, and gland-dotted.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Recreational Play Area
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- 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 aroma of flowers.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Phototoxic thiophene derivatives
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots