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Tagetes erecta (African Marigold)

African Marigold, Aztec Marigold, American Marigold, Big Marigold

Tagetes erecta, African Marigold, Aztec Marigold, Big Marigold, Yellow Annuals, Orange Annuals, Summer Flowers

Noted for its large blossoms, Tagetes erecta (African Marigold) is a bushy annual boasting huge double flowers, up to 2-4 in. across (5-10 cm) in shades of yellow, orange, and white. Blooming from early summer until frost, the showy blossoms are borne atop the foliage of pinnate leaves divided into lanceolate leaflets. Both flowers and foliage are aromatic when crushed or brushed. Easy to grow and low maintenance, African marigolds are excellent for beds, borders, and containers.

  • Grows up to 1-4 ft. tall (30-120 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm)
  • Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Some light afternoon shade is tolerated in hot summer areas. Adaptable to poor soils, African Marigold is drought tolerant once established. Site tall varieties in locations sheltered from strong winds.
  • African Marigolds are excellent additions to the landscape as bedding, edging plants, or in containers on the deck or patio. They are a good choice for hot, dry garden conditions where French Marigolds (Tagetes patula) might struggle.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew, Botrytis, leaf spots, rots, spider mites, and thrips. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
  • African Marigolds may be grown from seeds or live plants. Sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed or indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the last spring frost date.
  • Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering.
  • Foliage may aggravate skin allergies. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
  • Native to Mexico, Central America.

Popular African Marigolds

  • Antigua Series: 12-16 in. tall (30-40 cm) with fully double flowers, 3 in. wide (7 cm), covering the entire plant, in shades of gold, orange, primrose, yellow, and a mix.
  • Big Duck Series: 15 in. tall (37 cm) with large flowers, 3-4 in. across (7-10 cm) bloom heavily until the very end of the growing season. Extremely heat tolerant. All-America Selections (AAS) award for their garden performance.
  • Crackerjack Series: 36 in. tall plants (90 cm) with large blooms in shades of gold, orange, primrose, and yellow.
  • French Vanilla:18-24 in. tall plants (45-60 cm) with pure creamy white flowers, 3 in. wide (7 cm).
  • Gold Coin Series:18-24 in. tall plants (45-60 cm) with large (5 in. across or 12 cm) double blossoms in gold, yellow, and orange.
  • Inca II Series: 12-14 in. tall (30-35 cm) with large, double flowers in shades of gold, orange, primrose, yellow, and a mix.
  • Jubilee Series: 24 in.tall plants (60 cm) with dense, double flowers in shades of yellow and orange.
  • Marvel II Series: 16-18 in. tall (40-45 cm) with large flowers on well-branched plants that hold up well to weather. The series is offered in gold, orange, yellow, and a mix.
  • Safari Series: 8-10 in. tall plants (20-25 cm) with carnation-like, large flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm), in shades of maroon, yellow, and orange.

Marigold: Plant Care and Growing Guide

Learn how to plant, grow and care for Marigolds and add a bright pop of color all summer long.
Read More

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3, H1, H2
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Tagetes
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 4'
(30cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Clay Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Tagetes Patula 'Legion of Honor', French Marigold 'Legion of Honor', Dwarf Marigold 'Legion of Honor', yellow Marigold, Red Marigold
Tagetes Patula 'Konstance', French Marigold 'Konstance', Dwarf Marigold 'Konstance', Red Annuals, Orange Annuals, Summer Flowers
Tagetes erecta Big Duck Orange, African Marigold Big Duck Orange, Aztec Marigold Big Duck Orange, Big Marigold Big Duck Orange, Orange Marigold, Orange Marigolds
Tagetes erecta Garuda Deep Gold, African Marigold Garuda Deep Gold, Aztec Marigold Garuda Deep Gold, Big Marigold Garuda Deep Gold, Yellow Marigold, Yellow Marigolds
Tagetes erecta Big Duck Yellow, African Marigold Big Duck Yellow, Aztec Marigold Big Duck Yellow, Big Marigold Big Duck Yellow, Yellow Marigold, Yellow Marigolds
Tagetes erecta Big Duck Gold, African Marigold Big Duck Gold, Aztec Marigold Big Duck Gold, Big Marigold Big Duck Gold, Yellow Marigold, Yellow Marigolds

Recommended Companion Plants

Salvia Farinacea, Mealy Cup Sage, Mealycup Sage, Farinaceous Sage, Blue Salvia, Blue Sage, Salvia earlei, Salvia farinacea var. farinacea, Salvia farinacea var. latifolia
Verbena Bonariensis, Tall Verbena, Purpletop Vervain, Brazilian Verbena, Upright Verbena, Purple summer flowers, Drought Tolerant plant, purple flowers
Cleome Hassleriana 'Rose Queen', Spider Flower 'Rose Queen', Spider Plant 'Rose Queen', Pink Queen 'Rose Queen', Cleome spinosa 'Rose Queen', Cleome 'Rose Queen', Tall Annual Flowers, Tall Flowers, Pink annuals, Pink Flowers
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3, H1, H2
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Tagetes
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 4'
(30cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Clay Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Tagetes
Guides with
Tagetes
Not sure which Tagetes to pick?
Compare Now

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