Plant guide

African Marigold.

Tagetes erecta

Pronounced ta-JEE-teez ee-REK-tuh

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

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.

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

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

Safety

Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs, though it may cause mild stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

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

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Tagetes
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Is your african marigold looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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