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French marigold (Tagetes patula)

Tagetes patula is an annual herb with a compact, clumping, spreading habit.

LightFull sun is considered best; sources differ on partial sun, with some accepting it, while dark conditions are unsuitable.
WaterKeep the soil evenly moist but well drained, watering after it has dried somewhat and avoiding prolonged wetness that can cause root rot; established plants have some drought tolerance.
TemperatureSources differ on the minimum temperature, with the limited accounts placing it at about 1 °C.
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Overview

Tagetes patula is an annual herb with a compact, clumping, spreading habit.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on its native range: Mexico is central to the accounts, with some sources specifying Mexico and Guatemala and others extending the range to Nicaragua or from tropical America to Bolivia. It can grow in well-drained soils from sandy to clayey, and records also place it in farmland, vegetable gardens, gardens, parks, forest edges, and other human-influenced environments. It prefers sunny environments without severe frost, has low cold tolerance, and is commonly grown as a warm-season annual flowering plant.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, placing it at about 10–50 cm, while mature spread is 10–50 cm. The aromatic leaves are deeply divided or deeply pinnately divided; they are described as lance-shaped, with oil glands and a distinctive odor. The flower heads are mainly yellow or orange, with red and brown tones also occurring; cultivated forms may have single, semi-double, or double flowers, which are mostly bisexual. Flowering is mainly from spring through autumn, while some climatic conditions have a more restricted flowering period and another account describes flowering from summer to early autumn; the plant is reported to form achenes that mature and fall soon after flowering begins.

Light

Full sun is considered best; sources differ on partial sun, with some accepting it, while dark conditions are unsuitable.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but well drained, watering after it has dried somewhat and avoiding prolonged wetness that can cause root rot; established plants have some drought tolerance.

Temperature and dormancy

Sources differ on the minimum temperature, with the limited accounts placing it at about 1 °C.

Growing medium and mounting

Well-drained sandy, loamy, or clay soils are suitable, and acidic, neutral, or alkaline soils are accepted; for garden cultivation, moderately fertile, well-drained soil is preferred.

Feeding

Agricultural guidance generally recommends supplemental feeding during the growing period.

Propagation

It is reported to be propagated by seed or cuttings, with seed germination under suitable warmth and cuttings rooting after a period of time.

Common problems

Spider mites and thrips are reported as possible pests. Powdery mildew, gray mold, leaf spot, and rots are reported as possible diseases. Prolonged wet soil is reported to encourage root rot, and growth may deteriorate in low temperatures. It has weak cold tolerance and is sensitive to frost; freezing temperatures may be fatal.

Identification

Tagetes patula is relatively compact, low, and spreading, with deeply divided leaves that have a noticeable aromatic or distinctive odor and flowers commonly ranging from bright yellow and orange to red and brown; compared with Tagetes erecta, it is generally shorter and more spreading.

Photos

Tagetes patula
📷 unknown · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Tagetes patula
📷 inyucho, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY · source

Sources