Marigolds are bright flowering annuals indigenous in Mexico and native to South America, tropical America, and southwestern North America. There are over 50 species of marigolds that grow globally. All marigolds fall into two broad categories: French marigolds (Tagetes patula) and African marigolds (Tagetes erecta). Other varieties include the dwarf and tall marigolds varieties.
French marigolds: Theseare native to Mexico, and they grow as bushy annuals. They bear blooms in shades of red, yellow, and orange. Some examples include Bonanza deep orange and Bonita mixed.
African marigolds: The African marigolds are native to Mexico and Central America. They are taller than the French varieties and more tolerant to dry conditions and extreme heat. The cultivars include Gold coin, safari, and jubilee varieties. They are commonly known as tall marigolds.
Dwarf marigolds: Most dwarf marigolds grow about 6 to 8 inches tall, with a few varieties reaching 12 inches. They have feathery leaves that clump under the double flowers. They produce red, yellow, and orange blooms.
Which Marigold Variety Is Best?
All marigolds protect against nematodes, but French marigolds are the best variety to grow in your garden. It can protect against a broad array of nematodes. They not only protect the plants against these root pests but also kill them.
Many commercial growers opt for these marigolds because of their low-maintenance and incredible beauty. If you live in hot climatic conditions, where these nematodes dominate, planting French marigolds will save you the stress.
Where Do Marigolds Grow Best?
Marigolds love heat, and they perform best in summer conditions throughout their growing periods. They thrive well from zones 2 to 11 USDA. Healthy plants require full sun as shade might lead to legging the plant and reduction in bloom quality and quantity.
They are not selective about soil and can flourish in evenly moist, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic, neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. They grow better in lean soil than in organically-rich soil.
Top 10 Types of Marigolds
1. Bonanza Marigolds
French Marigolds
It is a bushy annual dwarf and a member of the French marigolds’ family. They grow best if you propagate them from spring once the last frost melts away. They are ideal for growing in the typical garden or containers.
They have a mounded growth habit and reach 6 to 8 inches of height and 10 to 12 inches in width
They can withstand any soil but perform best in moist, well-drained clay, loamy, or sandy soil. You can correct the soil with compost before planting
They require full sun exposure for maximum blooming
Bonanza starts bearing flowers about 60 to 70 days from planting
The seedling requires regular watering until it is established
It would help if you pinched young plants to achieve a bushy growth habit
Deadheading prolongs the blooming period
2. French Marigolds (Tagetes patula)
French marigold is a bushy annual that boasts crested, double, or semi-double blooms of 5 cm across. It produces showy blossoms in orange, red, and yellow combinations to cover the lovely aromatic foliage. The foliage and flowers deter insects from the garden with their spicy fragrance. They are easy to grow and perfect for edging, beds, and containers.
They do best in moist, well-drained sand, loam, or clay with neutral, alkaline, or acidic pH
They grow about 15 to 30 cm in height and width
They prefer full sun exposure
They are low-maintenance plants with average water needs
Their blooming reduces with an increase in the summer heat but resumes as the temperatures start dropping. Please pinch off dead flowers to prolong the blooming period
They can tolerate drought, deer, and clay soil
3. Hero Orange French Marigold
Hero Orange French Marigold
Hero orange marigold is a dwarf variety that grows up to 25 cm tall. The double-layer orange bloom is an outstanding feature that distinguishes it from other types. The flower can reach 6 cm when in full bloom.
It takes approximately 1 to 2 years to mature
It thrives best in moist, well-drained loam, clay, or sand with neutral, acidic, or alkaline pH
It loves partial shade or full sun for maximum blooming
It is pest and disease-free
You have to cut it back after flowering
Water freely during dry spells and deadhead regularly to extend the blooming period
4. Lemon Gem Marigold
It is a kind of signet marigold with daisy-like lemon-yellow blooms. They are unusual annuals because they do well in all weather conditions except chilling winters. It has glossy foliage with small leaves and bright yellow fragrant and erect flowers.
They are not soil-fussy and can thrive in any well-draining soil type with 5.0 to 8.5 pH
It grows about 0.75 feet tall
It is a low-maintenance plant with moderate water needs
It needs full sun exposure to bloom from late spring to early fall. At least six hours of direct sunlight continuously every day
It is tolerant to deer, drought, rabbits, humidity, seashore, and slope
5. Mexican Marigold
Mexican Marigold
Mexican marigold is a sprawling evergreen shrub popular for its bright blooms and aromatic foliage. It produces five cm-across bright daisy-like flowers with golden petals and a dark yellow central disc. It has highly fragrant leaves that emit a pleasant pungent smell when crushed. They shun deer and attract bees and butterflies with this musky fragrance.
It is a low-maintenance plant with low water requirements
It does best in moist, well-drained soil with acidic, alkaline, or neutral pH
It grows about 1120 to 180 cm tall and 180 cm to 3 meters wide
It blooms best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Full shade makes the plant leggy and lowers the quality and quantity of bloom
It can withstand drought but performs best with irrigation
It is tolerant to drought, heat, deer, and poor soils
You can trim to shape the shrub, but this might interfere with the bloom period
Pot marigold is an annual plant famous for its abundant blooming and cheerful bright blossoms. The gorgeous blooms not only adorn the land with beauty, but they are also edible. They are a perfect addition to soups or any rice dish for color and flavor. You can use fresh petals or dried ones.
It is native to southern Europe
It is easy to grow with low-maintenance and average water requirements
It thrives, attaining a mature size of 1 to 2 feet tall and 1 to 1.5 feet wide
It withstands cold weather but is intolerant to extreme heat conditions
It loves well-drained soil with a neutral, acidic, or alkaline pH
It needs full to partial sun to bloom in spring, summer, and fall
It is deer and rabbit tolerant but attracts butterflies
7. Red-crescent Marigold (Tagetes lunulata)
It is an annual or perennial herb native to tropical America. It releases a strong aroma when crushed. It has simple, alternate leaves that are sometimes dotted. It is native to Guatemala and Mexico, with many species, spread globally.
They bloom best in full sun exposure
They are low-maintenance plants and need watering once per week once established
Avoid nitrogenous fertilizer as it may make the plant bushy and reduce flowers
Deadheading red crescent marigolds encourage branches and promote blooming
Grow them in well-drained soil with acidic or neutral pH
8. Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia)
Signet Marigolds
It is a showy annual marigold with tiny, numerous brilliant blossoms covering the lacy foliage. It is a compact vigorously-growing bush with fragrant foliage and blooms that release a lemon fragrance when disturbed. It grows well in well-drained acidic, neutral, or alkaline soil.
It requires low-maintenance and average water
It needs full to partial sun to bloom throughout summer and fall
It is deer, drought, and rabbit resistant and attracts butterflies
It requires pinching off dead flowers to encourage continuous blooming
9. Southern Cone Marigold (Tagetes minuta)
Southern cone marigold is considered invasive in some regions. It has tall stems that bear small flowers. It is native to Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia. It has edible leaves that the natives of these regions crush into a paste they use to cook ocopa potato dishes. When fresh, its flavor is a mixture of mint, citrus, sweet basil, and tarragon.
They grow best as outdoor plants in full sun
They love well-drained acidic, alkaline, or neutral soil
Only water the plant if the soil is dry
10. Sweet Mace Marigold (Tagetes lucida)
Sweet Mace Marigold
It is a bushy perennial with long aromatic, linear green leaves and clusters of tiny golden-yellow flowers. Mexican natives use leaves as a substitute for tarragon in cooking. It takes 2.5 years to achieve a mature size of 0.5-1 meter in height and 0.1-0.5 meters wide
It does well in well-drained acidic, alkaline, or neutral soil
It blooms best in full sun to bloom in summer and autumn
It helps to cut back the plant after blooming
Below are more marigold varieties.
Common name
Botanical name
Bloom season
Queen Sophia marigolds
Tagetes patula ‘Queen Sophia.’
It bears yellow or rich maroon flowers from early summer until frost.
Safari scarlet marigold
Tagetes patula ‘Safari Scarlet.’
They produce bold scarlet flowers with a golden eye from late spring to late summer.
Yellow jackets marigolds
Tagetes patula ‘Yellow Jacket.’
It displays yellow blossoms from June to October.
Irish lace marigold
Tagetes filifolia
It blooms from early summer until frost.
Court Jester marigold
Tagetes patula nana
It displays its lovely blooms continuously until frost.
Derek Bruce has interests in many diverse subjects, including gardening, electric vehicles, creative writing and science fiction. "Really look at a flower and you will see the whole Universe!"
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