French marigold Tagetes patula
French marigold (Tagetes patula) is an annual flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It grows 20–35 cm (8–14 in) tall and 20–35 cm (8–14 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan French marigold in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
French marigold at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 20–35 cm (8–14 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–35 cm (8–14 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | about 6–9 weeks after planting, for 13–19 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 60 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is French marigold toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: sap, foliage
Tagetes can cause mild stomach upset and skin irritation.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with French marigold
Good neighbours
- good With Tomato: Evidence is mixed: French marigold may suppress some root-knot nematodes when grown as a cover crop, not as an interplant. Evidence D
See French marigold in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (12 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (86 plants)
- Longwood Gardens (20 plants)
Questions about French marigold
- How far apart should I plant French marigold?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–35 cm (8–14 in).
- Does French marigold need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does French marigold need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is French marigold?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does French marigold flower?
- About 6–9 weeks after planting, for 13–19 weeks.
- Is French marigold poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Tagetes can cause mild stomach upset and skin irritation.
- What grows well with French marigold?
- Evidence is mixed: French marigold may suppress some root-knot nematodes when grown as a cover crop, not as an interplant.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus
- German chamomile Matricaria chamomilla