Where to buy seeds
Some links are affiliate links — Verdantly may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more.
Hawaii African Marigold is a sun-loving annual that produces exceptionally long flower stalks crowned with large, deep orange blooms from summer through fall. Growing 24 to 36 inches tall, this open-pollinated Tagetes erecta reaches full maturity in 80 to 89 days, making it one of the quickest African marigolds to flower. These hardy, low-maintenance plants thrive in full sun and reward gardeners with continuous blooms, whether you're filling borders, cutting arrangements, or brightening a cottage garden.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
36in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The defining feature of Hawaii African Marigold is those extra-long flower stalks that hold blooms well above the foliage, creating an elegant, almost architectural presence in the garden. Deep orange flowers on plants reaching up to 3 feet tall make a bold statement, and they keep flowering reliably from summer straight through fall without fussing. Hardy and direct-sowable after frost, these marigolds are genuinely easy to grow yet deliver the dramatic visual impact of a more demanding perennial.
Hawaii African Marigolds are grown primarily for their ornamental value, particularly as cut flowers. The long stems make them exceptional for fresh arrangements, and the continuous flowering habit supplies steady material for bouquets from midsummer onward. In the garden, they work as tall border plants, backdrop plantings, and focal points that add warm color to mixed beds and cottage gardens.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
For earliest blooms, start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow at a shallow depth on moist seed-starting mix, keeping soil temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit until germination. Transplant seedlings into individual pots once they develop true leaves, hardening them off gradually before moving outdoors.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space plants 12 inches apart with 24 inches between rows. They'll establish quickly and begin flowering within weeks of transplanting.
Direct sow seeds after the last frost date once soil has warmed. Sow shallowly where you want plants to grow, keeping soil moist until germination occurs. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart as they grow.
Cut flower stems early in the morning when buds are just beginning to open or blooms are fully open, using sharp scissors or pruners. Make cuts above a leaf node to encourage branching from that point. With around 8,000 seeds per ounce, mature seed heads can be harvested in late fall if you wish to save seeds for next year; allow the seed pods to dry on the plant or on a screen indoors.
Pinch back young plants when they're 4 to 6 inches tall to encourage branching and bushier growth. Deadheading spent flowers throughout the season keeps the plant flowering prolifically, extending bloom time through fall.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“The Hawaii African Marigold carries its name from its origin point, part of a long breeding tradition in Tagetes erecta selection that focuses on desirable traits like tall stalks and prolific flowering. As an open-pollinated variety, it represents gardeners' decades-long work selecting and saving seeds from plants with the strongest stems and largest blooms, allowing this cultivar to reach modern gardeners as a stable, reliable strain.”