French marigold

Mexican marigold (Eng.)

This low-growing, low maintenance plant produces a profusion of flowers in a summer and autumn garden. Red, orange and yellow blooms, and blends thereof create a stunning display when mass planted. The pungent fragrance repels harmful insects and is successfully used as a companion plant in a vegetable garden. The fragrance is more herbal than floral.

Planning

Difficulty

Easy

Flowering time

Summer, Autumn, Spring

Fruiting time

Autumn

Harvesting

Collect the marigold flower heads. Dry them out and gently remove the seeds. Store dry until the following season.

Propagation

Seed

Sow seeds directly into the garden after the last frost. Plants will self-seed from season to season. Replant seedlings where they are needed.

Special features

Pot plant

Is a very successful pot plant.

Drought resistant

Can be used in a water-wise garden

Attracts useful insects

Attracts bees and butterflies

Repels harmful insects

Kills nematodes in soil, repels whitefly

Geography

Origin

America, Mexico and Guatemala

Natural climate

Temperate

Environment

Light

Full Sun

Soil moisture

Moist

Soil type

Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil PH preference

Neutral

Frost hardiness

Hardy

Uses

Medicinal

Used as a digestive, diuretic and a sedative.

Edible

The flowers are edible and can be used in salads.

Personality

Family

Asteraceae

Flower colour

Ranges from deep red, through orange and yellow., Yellow

Scent

Strong

Problems

Powdery mildew

Erysiphaceae

Thrips

Phlaeothripidae/Thripidae/Aeolothripidae

Leaf Spot (Fungal)

Fusarium oxysporum

Botrytis

Botrytis cinerea

Companion plants

TOMATO

Solanum lycopersicum

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata