Tagetes

( tah - JEE - teez )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Marigold, this genus of annuals and perennials needs full sun and regular water to perform well. They are mostly native to Mexico and Central America, and range in height from 6 inches to over 6 feet tall. Flowers range in color from pale yellow through maroon, and leaves are usually strongly fragrant. Take care when planting Marigolds in the garden, as they can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested in moderate amounts, and are considered invasive in some areas of the world.

Tagetes Species and Varietals

The genus Tagetes is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes 50 species. The best growing zones for Marigold vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Tagetes erecta (American Marigold, African Marigold, Aztec Marigold, Big Marigold, Cempaxochitl, Cempasuchil)
This annual species grows in all zones, and most have double flowers. It is native to Mexico, and reaches between 8 and 36 inches tall when mature. Avoid overhead sprinkling for the taller varieties, as doing so can cause mold issues. Dig holes extra deep to make taller types stand better, stripping off the bottom few inches of leaves and planting the naked section in the soil. Choice selections are outlined below.

'Antigua'
10-12 inch tall plants.

'Guys and Dolls'
Plants grow to 12-14 inches.

'Inca' and 'Inca Ii'
12-14 inches tall.

'Perfection'
16-20 inches tall.

'Climax'
This species reaches 2.5 to 3 feet tall.

'Sweet Cream'
Cream colored flowers on a 16-inch tall plant.

'Odorless'
To 2.5 feet tall.

'Zenith'
Long bloom season on a 12-15 inch tall plant.

Tagetes filifolia (Irish Lace)
This species is an annual and grows in all zones. It forms a mound of bright green aromatic foliage that looks a bit like a small fern when out of bloom. Flowers are small and white, and this plant is commonly used as an edging flower. These plants are native to an area that spans from northern Mexico through Argentina. Despite its common name, this plant does not grow in Ireland.

Tagetes foetidissima (Flor de Muerto, Death Flower)
These branching annual plants can reach up to 40 inches tall when fully grown, and produces green foliage. Flowers are small and yellow, produced in clusters towards the ends of stems. These plants are unpleasantly aromatic, and are considered an agricultural weed in some areas of the globe.

Tagetes lemmonii (Tagetes palmeri) (Copper Canyon Daisy, Lemmon's Marigold, Mountain Marigold, Mexican Marigold)
This species is a perennial and is a bit shrub-like, growing best in zones 8-10, 12-24 and H1. Leaves are very fragrant and flowers are golden orange. Blooms pop throughout the year, peaking in winter and springtime. These plants are damaged by frost. Prune to improve shape and remove dead foliage. This species tends to be short-lived and needs moderate to regular water.

Tagetes lucida (Mexican Marigold, Mexican Tarragon, Sweetscented Marigold, Mexican Mint Marigold, Sweet Mace, Texas Tarragon, Pericon, Yerbaniz, Heribanis)
This perennial grows best in zones 8-10 and 12-24, and is often grown as an annual in all zones. It reaches 3 feet tall and wide, with dark green leaves that have the scent (and flavor) of licorice. Yellow flowers are inconspicuous and bloom in spring and fall. This species needs moderate to regular water.

Tagetes mendocina
Native to Argentina, these plants produce white or yellow flowers that are relatively small compared to those of other species in the genus. Plants typically reach over 6 feet tall and can grow in a variety of different soil types. They are considered an invasive species in some areas of the world.

Tagetes minuta (Muster John Henry, Southern Marigold, Khakibos, Stinking Roger, Wild Marigold, Black Mint, Huacatay, Wakataya)
This species is considered a culinary herb in Latin America, sold as Black Mint Paste. Plants are native to the southern part of South America.

Tagetes patula (French Marigold)
This species is an annual and grows well in all zones. Height varies depending on the selection. Blossoms can be fully double or single, and flower color ranges from yellow to brown. Varieties are listed below.

'Janie'
To 8 inches tall with double blooms.

'Bonanza'
This variety reaches 10 inches tall and has a range of colors.

'Little Hero'
10-12 inch tall plant in a range of colors.

'Aurora'
This strain has larger flowers that are semi-double.

Tagetes tenuifolia (Tagetes signata) (Signet Marigold, Golden Marigold, Lemon Marigold)
This species is an annual that grows well in all zones, and is not commonly grown. Flowers are single and relatively small, but blooms are profuse. Foliage is finely cut, and the flowers attract beneficial insects to the garden. Flowers can be used as a garnish and have a lemony flavor, hence the common name Lemon Marigold.

Caring for Tagetes

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are easy to grow from seed, and will sprout in a few days in warm soil. They can also be purchased as starts or specimens from a reputable nursery. Grow these flowers in full sun; ideally they need between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day to perform and bloom well. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Marigolds like regular waterings and do not like to have dry feet. Do not allow soil to stay dry for more than a few days at a time to avoid wilting and plant decline.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Do not fertilize Marigods, as they actually grow better in leaner soils. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Annual species are typically pulled at the end of the season to be replaced in the next. Perennial species can be cut back in early springtime to encourage a bushier growth habit to form and to trigger vigorous new growth and flowering.

Propagation

Tagetes, or Marigold, can be propagated by division, cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division or cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Marigold, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Tagetes by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Tagetes by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.