Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Tagetes patula or French marigold

The genus Tagetes, family Asteraceae, includes about 50 species of perennial and annual herbaceous plants native to Mexico, Central and South America. Some species are: Tagetes patula, Tagetes erecta, Tagetes lucida, Tagetes tenuifolia, Tagetes lucida.

Common name: French marigold. This species is native to Mexico and Guatemala.

They are annual herbaceous plants that reach 50 cm (1.64 feet) in height. The leaves are odd-pinnate with dark green lanceolate leaflets with dentate margins. The showy, scented flowers are yellow, orange-red or multi-colored. They bloom in summer and fall.

They are used in borders, in flowerbeds and in pots for balconies, terraces and patios. They are ideal for making floral decorations.

Tagetes patula needs full sun exposure and a warm or temperate climate. They are usually grown as annuals but in frost-free regions they can live for several years.

The soil can be a normal, well-drained garden soil with coarse sand and abundant organic matter.

Water regularly so that the substrate is always slightly damp. They do not resist drought.

Fertilize with mineral fertilizer every 20 days during the summer and fall.

Prune the flowers to favor the appearance of more flowers. Store the flowers in a dry place to obtain seeds that can be planted in spring in the final location.

They do not usually present serious pest and disease problems.

They are propagated from seeds sown in a glass seedbed in late winter or spring in the final location.

Images of the plant Tagetes patula or French marigold