Where to buy seeds
Some links are affiliate links — Verdantly may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more.
Naughty Marietta is a dwarf French marigold hybrid that brings bold garden drama in a compact 4-8 inch frame. Its distinctive sun-gold centers ringed with deep maroon petals make it a standout choice for borders, containers, and mass plantings across hardiness zones 2-11. Reaching maturity in just 50-65 days, this annual thrives in full sun with moderate water and neutral soil, performing reliably through variable weather conditions.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
8in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The golden centers and maroon petals create a striking two-tone effect that catches the eye without demanding much from the gardener. Naughty Marietta is considerably shorter than African marigold cousins, making it far more useful for tight spaces like pots and low borders where taller varieties would overwhelm. Its hybrid vigor means consistent performance across unpredictable seasons, and seeds germinate readily when soil temperatures reach 70-80°F.
Naughty Marietta is a bedding plant grown primarily for its ornamental flowers. Its compact, bushy habit and consistent blooming make it well suited for edging garden beds, filling containers, and creating bright borders throughout summer and into fall. The flowers themselves are valued for visual impact rather than culinary or medicinal use.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your average last frost date. Maintain soil temperatures of 70-80°F for reliable germination. Sow at a depth of 1/4 inch.
Transplant outdoors 1-2 weeks after your average last frost date, once soil temperature reaches 70°F. Space plants 8 inches apart in rows that are also 8 inches apart.
You can sow directly outdoors 1-2 weeks after your average last frost date when soil temperature reaches 70°F, though starting indoors is recommended.
No formal pruning is necessary for Naughty Marietta. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage bushier growth and more prolific blooming throughout the season.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.