Also known as Marigold · 258 saves
Tagetes
Tagetes, the genus most gardeners know as marigold. We track 10 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 10 most-saved Tagetes varieties
3 species of Tagetes
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Tagetes in Sow
Save the Tagetes you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Tagetes
Whats common across all Tagetes varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 10 most-grown of them.
The Tagetes year
- DeadheadMay–September90% of varieties
Remove spent blooms regularly to promote continuous flowering until frost
- PlantApril and May70% of varieties
Plant transplants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed
- Check for PestsJune–August60% of varieties
Monitor for spider mites, especially during hot, dry spells
- Pinch TipsApril and May50% of varieties
Pinch back young plants to encourage bushier growth and more blooms
- HarvestJune–September30% 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 |
| Thrips | Petals streaked, flecked or distorted as the buds open | Remove damaged heads and avoid drought stress, which makes plants far more attractive to thrips |
| 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 |
| Botrytis blight | Grey fuzzy mould rotting the dense double flowerheads after wet weather | Pick off affected heads, space plants for airflow and water at soil level rather than overhead |
Making more Tagetes
Seed
- Tuck seeds 1/4 inch deep in moist soil (2 weeks)
- Maintain consistent moisture during germination
- Thin seedlings to proper spacing after emergence
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
Tagetes questions
How many types of Tagetes are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 10 distinct Tagetes varieties. The most popular — ranked by 258 real gardeners — 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.