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Tagetes patula - L.

Common Name French Marigold, Dwarf French Marigold
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 2-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats The pine-oak forest zone[181]. Naturalized in California where it grows on waste ground[71].
Range Southern N. America - Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Tagetes patula French Marigold, Dwarf French Marigold


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Tagetes patula French Marigold, Dwarf French Marigold
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Summary

Bloom Color: Orange, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Tagetes patula is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Colouring  Condiment  Drink

The flowers are used in refreshing drinks[177, 183]. The leaves are used as a food flavouring[183, 238]. No further details are given. The essential oil is used as a food flavouring, though it is inferior to the oil obtained from T. minuta[238]. The dried flowers are an adulterant of saffron(Crocus sativus), used for colouring foods yellow[183, 238].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Aromatic  Digestive  Diuretic  Dysentery  Sedative

The whole herb is aromatic, digestive, diuretic and sedative[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of indigestion, colic, severe constipation[238], coughs and dysentery[218]. Externally, it is used to treat sore eyes and rheumatism[238]. The leaves are harvested as required for immediate use during the growing season, whilst the flowering plant can be dried and stored for later use[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Companion  Dye  Essential  Insecticide  Repellent

Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Foundation, Massing, Seashore, Specimen. A very ornamental plant[1]. Special Features: North American native, Fragrant foliage, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers. Secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil, effective against nematodes and to some extent against keeled slugs[18, 20, 200, 218]. These secretions are produced about 3 - 4 months after sowing[200]. The whole plant is harvested when in flower and distilled for its essential oil[218, 238].The oil is used in perfumery, it is blended with sandalwood oil to produce 'attar genda' perfume[238]. About 35 kilos of oil can be extracted from 1 hectare of the plant (yielding 2,500 kilos of flowers and 25,000 kilos of herbage)[218]. The whole plant contains substances that are toxic to cockroaches[218]. The growing plant repels whitefly and can be grown near tomatoes to keep that crop free of the insect[18, 20]. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[169]. It is used to colour foods and textiles[238]. The flowers are sometimes used as an adulterant of saffron (obtained from Crocus sativus)[238]. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Dynamic accumulator  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[188]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[188]. A good butterfly plant[30]. Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[188]. The bruised leaves emit a refreshing pungent smell[245]. Plants are prone to slugs, snails and botrytis[188]. The French marigold is often used as a companion plant, especially for growing amongst tomatoes and potatoes where it helps to repel pests[238]. See 'Other uses' below for more details.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Tagetes erectaAfrican Marigold, Aztec marigold, Big Marigold, American MarigoldAnnual1.0 2-11 MLMHNDM333
Tagetes filifoliaIrish LaceAnnual0.4 8-11  LMHNDM102
Tagetes lucidaMexican Tarragon, Sweetscented marigoldPerennial0.8 8-11  LMHNDM433
Tagetes micranthaLicorice marigoldAnnual0.3 7-9  LMHNDM013
Tagetes minutaMuster-John-HenryAnnual1.2 8-11  LMHNDM223
Tagetes tenuifoliaLemon Marigold, Striped Mexican Marigold, Signet MarigoldAnnual0.8 2-11 MLMHNDM203

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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