French Marigold
Tagetes patula • Asteraceae
🌱 Seed Category
Flower
🌍 Origin Region
Mexico and Central America; globally adapted as annual bedding plants
📅 Days to Maturity
50-60 days from sprout to first bloom. Continuous blooming throughout the summer until first hard frost.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-11 as a summer annual. Not frost-hardy.
About This Seed
Seeds are long, needle-like, bicolored (black base with a tan/straw-colored tuft or pappus), roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length. The resulting plant is a bushy, compact annual (6-12 inches tall) with feathery, pinnate green foliage and vibrant double or semi-double blooms in orange, yellow, and mahogany.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring through Summer; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost or direct sow after frost
Germination
Germinates in 5-10 days at 70-75°F (21-24°C). High germination rate. Light is not required for germination but seeds should be covered lightly. No pre-treatment needed.
Planting Instructions
Planting depth: 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Spacing: 6-10 inches apart. Prefers well-draining garden soil but is highly adaptable. pH range: 6.0 to 7.0.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (6+ hours per day). Moderate water needs; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Highly drought tolerant once established.
Companion Plants
Excellent companion for Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants (for pest control). Avoid planting near Legumes (Beans/Peas) as they may stunt some legume growth.
Special Characteristics
Natural pest repellent (contains thiophenes that deter nematodes), edible petals, highly attractive to ladybugs and bees, deer resistant, heat tolerant.