PlantFiles: African Marigold, Aztec Marigold, Big Marigold, Crackerjack Marigold
Tagetes erecta

I received my seeds in trade here on DG and did not know quite what to expect. The plants are 4 feet tall covered with single orange blossoms and lots of foliage. The branches were so heavy that they broke off the main stem and fell but continued to grow, rooting along the stem where they fell. I would say stake these plants early and support the lower branches. My plant's main stem is 1" in diameter. Plant toward the back of the bed due to their height.

If anything will grow in hot humid Southern Georgia, this will! These flowers just bloom constantly, wave after wave. I planted the "Flower Power" variety, neon yellow, sun orange, and a couple of red-orange bushes came up. The only thing that has hurt them so far is a torrential storm that tore through and snapped some of the main stems on a few bushes. My advice would be to stake them for support, but other than that- they are problem free and well worth the money.

Expect disease and insect attack when this plant grown in shade. This plant requires full sun and heat. Adding humus or compost will greatly fertile them and help build resistance against disease and insect.

Help!! I am new to gardening having just lost my husband who loved African Marigolds I.. He left some for me to grow and they have been growing nicely but now I notice something is eating then.. I find silvery slime extracts on the leaf ( what are left of them) and I think I have discoved some type of black worm on the leaf.. Can some tell me how to treat this problem please...

I'm so pleased to have found this beauty detailed here in the Plantfiles! I scattered a marigold mix last year and was amazed at the variety in colour and size. These African Marigolds grew to about 3' tall with huge bright yellow flowers, one type with close curled petals and one with more open, longer petals, and one bright orange variety. I LOVE these Flowers!

I love African Marigolds because the flowers are so large and long lasting. 'French Vanilla Improved' has a more compact habit than many of the earlier "white" marigolds and has had some of the strong odor bred out of it. It is great for bouquets or mixing with other plants in the border.

I just saw some huge specimens of this plant growing in the ground at a local plant nursery here in Northcentral Florida, zone 8b. You could see their bright yellow flowers from several hundred yards away. This is just a strikingly beautiful plant. We've had a very long, mild and sunny Fall, with no frost yet, so these guys have had plenty of time to get large.

These are sold as "Crackerjack Marigold" by many seed companies. They grow best direct seeded.

These do great in the Southern USA. They bloom from March thru late fall. They are also great as a companion plant for tomatoes as they are a natural insect repellant.

The African marigolds are the tallest of all the marigold species. Most have large fully double blooms in bright orange, gold or yellow. They do best in full sun and when the nights are warm.