African marigold is a bold, sun-loving annual that brings unmistakable drama to the summer garden with enormous pompom-like flowers reaching 2 to 4 inches across in shades of golden yellow, deep orange, and cream. Native to Mexico and Central America, these plants grow from 1 to 4 feet tall depending on variety, and their pinnate foliage releases an aromatic fragrance when brushed or crushed. Hardy in zones 2 through 11, African marigolds bloom reliably from June until frost, requiring only moderate water and low maintenance while attracting butterflies and hummingbirds with their showy, fragrant flowers.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
48in H x 24in W
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High
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These are the marigolds that make neighbors stop and look twice. The flowers are genuinely enormous, with mostly double-globular blooms that can reach 4 inches in diameter on plants that may tower to 4 feet tall. Unlike their smaller cousins, African marigolds deliver bold color impact and fragrance that's noticeable from across the garden. Their tolerance for clay soil, heat, and neglect means even beginning gardeners can succeed, while deer and most insects leave them untouched.
African marigolds serve primarily as ornamental annual flowers in gardens, borders, and containers. Their large, showy blooms and long bloom season from June through frost make them popular choices for creating bold color statements in annual beds and cutting gardens, though their substantial height and flower size distinguish them from the more delicate French marigold varieties.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date in soil kept between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When seedlings are ready to transplant, plant taller varieties deep by stripping off a few of the lower stem leaves and setting plants below the remaining leaf scars; this minimizes the need for stem support later.
Set plants out after the last frost date, as African marigolds are frost-tender and cannot tolerate cold. Space plants according to their mature width of 12 to 24 inches. Pinch young plants to promote branching and fuller growth.
Pinch young plants early in the season to encourage branching and a fuller, bushier growth habit. Deadheading spent flowers promotes continued blooming through frost, though this is optional since African marigolds bloom prolifically without it.
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“Tagetes erecta originates from Mexico and Central America, where these striking plants have been cultivated for centuries. They were later brought to Africa by Spanish explorers, which led to the common name "African marigold" despite their true New World heritage. This origin story reflects how colonial plant trade routes reshuffled common names across continents, causing lasting confusion about where these beloved flowers actually came from.”