Also known as Marigold · 218 gardener saves
Tagetes: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Tagetes, the genus most gardeners know as marigold. We track 9 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 9 most-saved Tagetes varieties
Of 9 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedAfrican Marigold
Tagetes erecta 'Villandry'
#2 most savedAfrican Marigold 'White Swan'
Tagetes erecta 'White Swan'
#3 most savedDwarf African Marigold
Tagetes erecta 'Dwarf Jaguar'
Mexican Marigold
Tagetes lemmonii
African Marigold
Tagetes erecta 'Day of the Dead Orange'
African Marigold
Tagetes erecta 'Hot Sun'
African Marigold 'Harlequin'
Tagetes erecta 'Harlequin'
Mexican Marigold South American Marigold Sweet Marigold
Tagetes lucida
African Marigold Day of the Dead Marigold
Tagetes erecta 'Day of the Dead Golden Yellow'
How to grow Tagetes
What the Tagetes varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Tagetes year
- DeadheadMay–September89% of varieties
Remove spent blooms regularly to promote continuous flowering until frost
- PlantApril and May78% of varieties
Plant transplants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed
- Check for PestsJune–August67% of varieties
Monitor for spider mites, especially during hot, dry spells
- Pinch TipsApril and May56% of varieties
Pinch back young plants to encourage bushier growth and more blooms
- HarvestJune–September33% of varieties
Cut flowers when fully open for best vase life
Do
- Water deeply once a week during dry spells 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
- Deadhead flowers regularly for prolonged bloom
- Fertilize monthly during the growing season
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t plant in shady areas; it needs full sun
- Refrain from heavy fertilization late in the season
- Don’t fertilize with high nitrogen during flowering
What goes wrong with Tagetes
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Spray with water or insecticidal soap |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and brown roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
Making more Tagetes
Cuttings
- Select healthy stem cuttings in spring
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks until roots develop
Seed
- Tuck seeds 1/4 inch deep in moist soil (2 weeks)
- Maintain consistent moisture during germination
- Thin seedlings to proper spacing after emergence
Tagetes questions
How many types of Tagetes are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Tagetes varieties. The most popular — ranked by 218 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Tagetes grow in?
Across its varieties, Tagetes covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Tagetes bloom?
Most Tagetes varieties bloom in mid-summer, early summer, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Tagetes should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Tagetes shows up in
Design with Tagetes in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
