Easy-to-grow marigolds attract pollinators and other beneficial insects, and perhaps thwart some pests, while adding bright spots of color to your vegetable garden. Shouldn’t be planted near any legumes.

Botanical Information

Taxonomy

• Family: Sunflower Family, Asteraceae
• Genus: Tagetes
• Species: 
  • T. erecta (African marigold)
  • T. patula (French marigold)

History

Native to North and South America, but have become naturalized world-wide.

Physical Description

• Growth Habit: small bush
• Height: Vary in size from 4 in. to 7 ft. high, depending on the species
  • African marigolds: 36″ to 48″ tall
• Leaves: green pinnate leaves
• Flowers: typically 1/2″ to 2″ wide, with either ray or disc florets (see below for colors available)
• Most are annuals

Varieties & Cultivars

Categories or Types of Marigolds

• African marigold: T. erecta
• French marigold: T. patula
  • single or double petals, some with stripes of color
  • best choice for butterfly gardens
• Signet marigolds: hybrids derived from T. tenuifolia; sometimes referred to as T. signata
  • Dwarf variety (8-12″) 
  • many tiny flowers
  • citrus-scented foliage
  • blooms well into fall (not day-length sensitive)
• Mountain marigold: T. lemmonii
  • native to southern Arizonia canyons
  • attracts butterflies
  • not pretty-smelling…and strong
• T. minuta are used for cooking or oil production, and are considered invasive in some regions
• Mexican Tarragon: T. lucida
  • not considered a marigold, but is in the marigold family

Colors Available

• golden
• yellow
• orange
• red
• white
• maroon

Varieties

Growth Requirements

Climate & Temperature Requirements

Air Temperature

Soil Temperature

Humidity

Day Length or Light Requirements

Site Conditions Favored

Soil Requirements

Soil Texture

pH

Nutrient Requirements

Propagation

Methods of propagation

Seed

Division

Cuttings

Transplanting or Potting Up

Seed Saving

Planting Out

Bed Prep & Soil Amendments

Bed Spacing

Row Spacing

Planting Depth

Alternative Bed Methods

Container Gardening

Routine Cultivation & Maintenance

Water Requirements

Fertilization Recommendations

Mulching & Weeding

Pinching or Pruning & Dividing

Support

Winterizing

Companion Planting

Helpful Companions

Harmful Companions

Due to antibacterial thiophenes exuded by the roots, Tagetes should not be planted near any legume crop.

Companion to..

Pests, Diseases & Problems

Common Pests

Common Diseases

Symptoms

Whole Plant

Leaves

Stem/Trunk

Flowers

Fruit

Roots

Harvesting & Storage

Edible Parts of the Plant

Yield

Days to Harvest / Harvest Timing

Harvest Methods

Storage of harvest

Fresh

Canned

Frozen

Pickled

Dried

Cooking

Nutritional Benefits & Values

Toxicity

Cooking

Preparation

Cooking Methods

Recipes (link to …/category/recipes/tag/[plantname])

Resources

Information for this article was taken from these sources. (link to …/category/resources/tag/[plantname])