Do I need to deadhead them?

Yes, removing spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season.

Can I grow them in pots?

They grow quite well in containers as long as the pot has good drainage.

Plant guide

African Marigold.

Tagetes erecta

Pronounced ta-JEE-teez ee-REK-tuh

Also known as African Marigold, American marigold, Aztec marigold, Cempasúchil, Mexican Marigold

Mexican Marigold — Photo by Carlos Domínguez-Rodríguez (CC BY) via iNaturalist

African marigolds are cheerful, sun loving annuals that bring a pop of vibrant color to any garden. They grow tall and produce large, pompon shaped blooms that last all summer long. These plants are tough and handle heat quite well.

Another photo of African Marigold — Photo by Norma Piedra (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 11
Bloom time: Early summer to first frost

Care

Plant these in a spot with plenty of sunshine and well draining soil. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew on the leaves if the air is too humid. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage the plant to keep blooming until the first frost.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Pruning: Regularly remove faded blooms to promote continuous flowering.
Repotting: Since these are annuals, they typically do not need repotting as they complete their life cycle in one season.
Soil: Well draining loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Annual, typically one growing season.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the soil without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs, though it may cause mild stomach upset if ingested.
Children: The plant is not considered dangerous, but the foliage can be bitter if ingested by curious toddlers.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause contact dermatitis in some people.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is generally not considered a major airborne allergen.
Edibility: While the petals are technically edible, they can cause digestive upset if consumed in large quantities.

How to identify it

Large double pompon flower heads
Deeply divided pinnate green leaves
Strongly scented foliage when crushed
Sturdy upright branching stems

Height: 0.3 to 1m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, orange, gold, 5 to 12cm

Problems to watch for

Botrytis BlightCommon
Spider MitesCommon
AphidsUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: These are annuals and will die with the first hard frost, so they do not require winter care.
In containers: They are excellent in containers, provided you use a pot at least 20 cm wide with drainage holes.

Seed starting

Sow seeds in trays 6 weeks before the last frost.
Cover lightly with soil and keep moist.
Provide bright light once seedlings emerge.
Transplant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

Plant them around the perimeter of your vegetable garden to act as a natural pest barrier.

Grows well with

Tomato · They help deter soil nematodes that can damage tomato roots.
Basil · They make a classic pairing that benefits from similar sun and water needs.

Similar species

French Marigold · This is a smaller, more compact relative often used for edging.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Tagetes
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mexico and Central America
Conservation: This plant is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.

They naturally occur in open, sunny areas where they can quickly establish after seasonal rains.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, attracts beneficial insects
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental bedding, companion planting, cut flowers

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to deadhead them?: Yes, removing spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season.
Can I grow them in pots?: They grow quite well in containers as long as the pot has good drainage.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Tagetes honors the Etruscan god Tages, while the specific epithet erecta refers to the plant's upright growth habit.

Good to know

They are often called African marigolds despite being native to the Americas.
The flowers are used in traditional ceremonies in Mexico.
They thrive in the heat of summer when other plants might struggle.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.