Marigold
(African Marigold, Aztec Marigold)
Tagetes erecta. ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE).
Planting and Growing Marigold
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow marigold in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of marigold
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for marigold
- Season of bloom and planting time for marigold
- When, how deep, and where to plant marigold
- How to plant marigold
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of marigold
- Landscape and container uses of marigold
- Comments about marigold and its features
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Growing Marigold
Many cultivars of mounding, bushy annual herbs, to 3 ft. (90 cm) tall. Opposite, smooth, deep green, feathery, deeply lobed, toothed, fragrant leaves, to 3 in. (75 mm) long.
See also Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis, a related plant with similar care needs.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many showy, cream, gold, white, yellow, round, wavy-fringed flowers, to 2-1/2-in. (63-mm) wide, in summer–autumn.
Best Climates
Self-seeding, zones 3–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Average. 6.5–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full sun, 8–16 in. (20–40 cm) apart, after frost hazard has passed. Start seed indoors 6–8 weeks before final frost for early blooms; transplant when frost hazard has passed.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep evenly moist. Fertilize monthly. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom. Propagate by seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for beds, borders, containers in cottage, formal, small-space, wildlife gardens. Attracts birds, butterflies. Aphid, leafhopper, and powdery mildew susceptible.