General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Annual
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Dry Mesic
Dry
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Neutral (6.6 – 7.3)
Slightly alkaline (7.4 – 7.8)
Plant Height: 12-14 Inches
Plant Spread: 12-14 Inches
Leaves: Fragrant
Broadleaf
Flowers: Showy
Fragrant
Flower Color: Orange
Red
Russet
Yellow
Bloom Size: 1"-2"
Flower Time: Summer
Late summer or early fall
Underground structures: Taproot
Uses: Medicinal Herb
Cut Flower
Will Naturalize
Edible Parts: Flowers
Dynamic Accumulator: P (Phosphorus)
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Other Beneficial Insects: Bumblebees, Wasps, Moths
Resistances: Powdery Mildew
Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Squirrels
Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Sow in situ
Start indoors
Can handle transplanting
Pollinators: Self
Moths and Butterflies
Bumblebees
Bees
Various insects
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots

Image
Common names
  • French Marigold
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Tagetes erecta
  • Synonym: Tagetes patula

Photo Gallery
Location: My Gardens
Date: October 19, 2016
Mixed French Petite Attracts Many Insects #Pollination #Butterfly
Location: My Gardens
Date: October 6, 2015
Still Going Strong Like Energizer Bunny #Pollination & #Butterfli
Location: My Gardens
Date: August 18, 2015
Attractive To #Bees #Pollination
Location: My Gardens
Date: July 28, 2015
Close Up View Single Bloom
Location: My Gardens
Date: August 18, 2015
Loved By #Bumble #Bees #Pollination
Location: My Gardens
Date: October 19, 2016
Mixed French Petite Attracts Many #Insects #Pollination #Bees
Location: My Gardens
Date: August 18, 2015
Attracts #Bees & Other #Insects #Pollination
Location: My Gardens
Date: August 16, 2015
Photo In Partial Shade
Location: In my garden, Falls Church, VA
Date: 2017-08-10
Location: My Gardens
Date: October 19, 2016
Mixed French Petite Attracts Many Insects
Location: My Gardens
Date: July 29, 2015
Close Up View
Location: In my garden, Falls Church, VA
Date: 2017-08-11
My Favorite Marigolds

Courtesy of Diane's Flower Seeds

 Photo Courtesy of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Used with permissi
  • Uploaded by Joy

Courtesy Sustainable Seed Company
  • Uploaded by vic
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by Samlav (Mentor on the Lake, Ohio - Zone 5b) on Feb 19, 2018 5:12 PM concerning plant:
    Tagetes patula, French marigolds, are easy to grow from seed, and they produce an abundant amount of seeds. I have had many self-sow in my garden as well. They germinate quickly in warm weather, and when they are 1-2 inches tall they are ready for easy transplanting, about 10-12 inches apart. They do not need to be deadheaded, but are more prolific if they are. They produce many blossoms per plant and are heat tolerant with a little water when the soil gets dry.

    Their lacey leaves produce a chemical, alpha-terthienyl, that deters: nematodes, slugs, tomato horned worms, leaf hoppers, bean beetles, mosquitos, and white fly. They can be a great companion plants for: tomatoes, potatoes, bush beans, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, squash, eggplant and kale. The plant makes an effective pest spray and cover crop. Deer and rabbits avoid them. Conversely, they attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, so it is important to grow them organically.

    They provide bright, showy color in the landscape as a border, in planters, and for a vegetable garden. I prefer the petite variety since I like the look of neat, tidy borders. They demand your attention in a variety of colors. They commonly come in colors such as vanilla, yellow, orange, russet, red, and bi-color yellow and orange. The more recent and rare colors developed are strawberry-blonde, rose pink, and even blue! As a cut flower, they last in a bouquet and the many varieties offer different heights.

    Historically, the French popularized these flowers. They were originally brought from Mexico and Central America, and thus the common name "French Marigolds" originated. Shakespeare wrote of them in "A Writer's Tale." He wrote, "The Marigold that goes to bed wi' the sun, and with him rises weeping."

    If you have not cultivated tagetes patula yet, you really must give these beautiful, beneficial flowers a try!

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