This species boasts some of the largest blooms in the marigold fellowship .
African Marigolds , orTagetes erecta , have a long history , from their utilisation as a topical agent and dye among the Cherokee tribe to their use in the Day of the Dead observances of Mexican culture . It is also celebrate as thesymbolic birth flowerfor October . But despite their common name of African marigolds , these plant are actually aboriginal to the Americas and are much taller than their cousins , theFrench marigolds .
African marigolds have long been planted aseasy - to - get annualsrequiring picayune maintenance . In warm colours of creamy white , yellow , orange , and rusty red , African marigolds can append a welcome punch of colour all season long . Even without the blooms , they have attractive inscrutable green foliage .
Credit: Laurie Dickson
Where to Plant African Marigold
African marigoldsgrow in USDA hardiness geographical zone 2 to 11 . In zona 10 and high , they may bloom well into fall , but in Zones where temperatures come down below freeze down sooner , their lifetime may be shorter .
These big pom - pom efflorescence are perfect for garden beds , itinerary edge , and container — especially where sunlight is plentiful . select an area that is sunny and protected from strong fart with well - draining , rich soil .
How and When to Plant African Marigold
Plant African marigolds in the spring after thedanger of frosthas pass off . You cansow seedsdirectly in the undercoat once the soil is lovesome or — even better — start them indoors about 4 to 6 week before the last rime .
If planting seedlings , space them about 10 to 12 inches aside and water soundly . Once established , pinch the plants off to keep them from sending up undivided leggy shoot . This will encourage the plants to grow lavish and bushy . Use your forefinger and quarter round to twinge the top of the rise tip .
African Marigold Care
African marigold are gentle to grow and require only a little sun and water supply ( and occasionally some support ) . They are so childlike to manage for that the gay rosiness are often number as easyplants for beginning gardeners .
Light
Marigolds perform well in full sun , hold open magniloquent plants sturdy and help them take shape big , dense bloom and foliage . However , inpart shadeor more , all parts of the plant are more susceptible to fungous diseases , such as powdery mold .
Soil and Water
African marigolds need well - drained grunge that wo n’t stay wet for long because they are susceptible to rot and other land - bear fungal issues . They can abide many types of soil , from dry to clay , but for optimum maturation and blooms , place for a territory pH between 6.0 and 7.5 .
When you irrigate your African marigold , avoidwetting the foliage — specially after in the day — to help oneself prevent rot and fungous issues .
Temperature and Humidity
African marigolds are fairlydrought - tolerantand seem happiest in dry , hot conditions since dampish , cool weather run to cause fungous disease and decomposition . In most zones , they will not hold out past fall when temperatures drop to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and tank .
Fertilizer
Make certain your African marigold plants have a near amount of organic matter mixed into their soil . Inpoor soils , they may benefit from even fertilizer applications or a single software of a slow - liberation fertilizer . For the amount to use , follow the production recording label directions .
Pruning
Deadheading the plants will encourage them to continue blooming for a more extended period . Deadheading also helps the plants focus their vigour on flower production versus seed production .
The skilful time to harvest marigold forarrangements or craftingis when the flowers are first starting to open . Cut the root at a 45 - degree angle just above the leafage lymph gland and put the stem in cool water immediately . Be sure to strip off the leaves as they can emit an unpleasant odour .
Potting and Repotting African Marigold
African marigoldsgrow easily in container , but you will want to be certain to prefer a pot with good drainage that is at least 10 inches in diam and deep enough to appropriate staking . It ’s also a in force estimation to choose a heavy - bottomed peck to prevent the tall plant from tipping over .
Since African marigold will only last one growing time of year , repotting is not necessary , but you could use the same pot from season to season .
Pests and Problems
African marigolds are susceptible to aphids and wanderer mite in the dry heat of the summertime , so keep an eye on for the tell - tale signs and process with insecticidal soap as needed . They may develop fungous diseases ( like powdery mildew ) if the soil or leaf is too wet .
Slugs and snails also like to munch on marigolds , especially on clouded days . Check regularly anddispose of the critter , or sprinkle crush eggshell around the base of the plant as a barrier .
How to Propagate African Marigold
Because African marigold grow so readily , propagation is rarely done , but you canpropagate from stem cuttingsif you care .
you could also amass seeds at the end of the class to practice next give . To do this , go out some spend blooms on the flora and let them fully mature , dry , and drip into the grease to seed . take note that the seminal fluid will produce plants that are genetically dissimilar from the parent , so there may be some variability in flower coloring and plant maturation .
Types of African Marigold
It seems that new change of African marigold with improved plant growth are always being introduce . Breeders have focused on creating denser plants with great , frillier flower .
‘Discovery Orange’ marigold
Tagetes erecta’Discovery Orange ' bears boldorange flowersthat gain 3 inches blanket on compact , 1 - foot - tall plants .
‘Discovery Yellow’ marigold
Tagetes erecta’Discovery yellowish ' bears big , 3 - inch - all-encompassing brightyellow flowerson compact , 1 - foot - tall plant all summertime .
‘Taishan Gold’ African marigold
Tagetes erecta’Taishan Gold ' is a vigorous selection with unassailable root word that hold up better to wet weather than other variety . It grows 12 inches tall and 10 inches wide .
‘Crackerjack’ African marigold
Seeds of Change
Tagetes erecta ' Crackerjack ' is a late - season bloomer that maturate big , bright yellowish or orange threefold blooms that can get as large as 3 or 5 inches in diam . It grows grandiloquent at 24 to 36 inches and may postulate to be staked because of itsheavy flower head .
African Marigold Companion Plants
French Marigold
Just as you ’d await from something called French , these marigolds are the fancy ones . French marigold tend to be frilly and some boast a classifiable " crest eye . " They get on to roughly 8 - 12 inches high with a chic , neat , footling growth habit and graceful dark green foliage . They do well in full sun with moist , well - enfeeble soil and will bloom all summer long . They may reseed , come back yr after yr , in place where they ’re glad .
Coreopsis
One of thelongest drawers in the garden , tick-weed produces ( ordinarily ) sunny yellow daisy - corresponding flush that attract butterflies . Coreopsis bears golden - yellow , pale yellow , pink , or bicolor flowers , depending on the variety . It will bloom from early to midsummer or longer if it ’s deadheaded .
Mexican Sunflower
Attract butterflies and have fun doing it withbig , bold , beautiful Mexican helianthus . Plant it from seed straightaway in the ground and watch it soar upwards . It can strike up to 5 pes in just weeks with bighearted , riotous foliage and smaller but still showy flowers in sunset colour that butterfly love . Put a cluster of these bodacious beauties in the back of the mete for height and drama . Many of the improbable type need staking to keep them erect . Plant them outdoors in a sunny spot with well - drained soil after all peril of hoarfrost has hap .
Garden Plans
Children’s Vegetable Garden
Marigolds add some cheery color to this dry pint - size garden plan — perfect for budding gardener who need to get their handwriting foul while reap the benefits of growing ( and feeding ) their own produce .
French Kitchen Garden
This garden — inspired by honest-to-god - world monastery gardens — play a H.M.S. Bounty of produce and herbaceous plant as well as some elegant eatable flowers like marigold and , nasturtiums .
Frequently Asked Questions
The three common types of marigolds are African , French , and signet . Signet marigold are the smallest of the lot , often measuring only 6 column inch marvellous or smaller . They have a unmarried run-in of petal and are only about 1 inch wide . French marigold — which derive their name from their celebrity in French gardens — are typically about 6 to 12 in marvelous with dual and single bloom of youth that measure up to 2 inches all-encompassing . African marigold are the enceinte and can climb to heights of 2 to 3 feet tall with twofold pom - pommy efflorescence value about 5 inches in diameter .
Marigolds have a musky , pungent olfactory perception that is enticing to some and offensive to others . The smell — which comes from the foliage and not the flower — has been compare to wet hay , wet widow’s weeds , and cat urine . The smell comes from terpenes in the leave which by nature repel insects and dissuade cony and deer from nibble on the flush . To belittle the smell when using marigolds as cut flowers , be trusted to remove all of the foliage from the theme .
African marigolds symbolise different things in different country . It ’s generally thought of as an picture of love and Passion of Christ , but in Hindu traditions , its watch as an indicator of bright , positively charged vigor , while in Christian cultures it constitute interior power and great riches .
Credit: Laurie Dickson
Shetty , L. J.Abrief review on Medicinal Plant Tagetes erecta . Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science . 5 ( Suppl 3 ) ; 2015 : 091 - 095 . From https://japsonline.com/admin/php/uploads/1686_pdf
Marigolds - Dia De Los Muertos / Day of the Dead - Research Starters at Our Lady of the Lake University , https://libguides.ollusa.edu/diadelosmuertos/marigolds
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Graham Jimerson
Credit:Seeds of Change
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Credit: Scott Little
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Illustration by Gary Palmer
Credit: Illustration by Helen Smythe
