 |
|
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:EugeneZelenko |
 |
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:BotBln |
Translate this page:
Summary
Bloom Color: Orange, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics

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
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
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
Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.
An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.
Read More
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
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
Shop Now
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
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
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 :
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.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
71181
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
Add a comment |
If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.
* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.
To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.
|
|