Description
Plant Details
Botanical Name: Tagetes erecta
Common Names: African marigold, Aztec marigold
Host Plant to: Generalist garden insects; occasionally larval food for some moths (not a primary butterfly host)
Nectar Plant to: Bees (honey & native), butterflies, hoverflies
Plant Life Cycle: Warm-season annual (tender perennial in frost-free zones)
Light Requirements: Full sun (6–8+ hrs)
Soil Type: Well-draining; adapts to average or slightly poor soils; avoid waterlogged sites
Moisture Requirements: Moderate; keep evenly moist to establish, then fairly drought-tolerant
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9–11 as tender perennial; grown as an annual in most regions
Plant Height: 18–36 inches (taller cultivars up to ~40″)
Plant Spacing: 12–18 inches (large varieties 16–20″)
Bloom Time: Late spring/early summer to frost
Bloom Color: Rich gold, yellow, orange; some creamy/“vanilla” selections
Special Features: Heat-tolerant, long bloom, deer- and rabbit-resistant, aromatic foliage that helps deter some pests (including soil nematodes), great for cut flowers; good for companion planting (veg beds, borders)
Description
If you want bold color that shrugs off heat, African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are hard to beat. They like full sun, average soil, and just enough water to keep them moving—once established they’re pretty forgiving. The plants throw sturdy stems topped with big, carnation-style blooms in golds and oranges (and some creamy whites), and they’ll keep going right up to frost.
They’re a classic for mixed borders and veggie patches because the fragrant foliage helps discourage certain pests, and the flowers keep pollinators cruising through the garden. I tuck them along paths and between tomatoes or peppers; they don’t fuss about soil and they hold their shape even in blazing weather.
Maintenance is easy: deadhead the spent blooms and you’ll get a steady flush of new flowers. If plants stretch mid-season, a light trim will bring them back compact and bushy. The only things they truly dislike are soggy soil (hello root rot) and deep shade. Give them sun, drainage, and the occasional drink, and they’ll deliver non-stop color with very little effort.
