How to grow and care for French Marigold?

French marigolds are a garden favourite for their distinctly coloured flowers and are simple to grow and care for. These heat-loving annuals bloom till winter and survive the entire growing season. French marigolds are often seen in warm oranges, yellows and reds. Some feature a single row of petals, but others have pom-pom-like, petal-packed doubled blooms. Furthermore, a new marigold hue or petal type is introduced each year.

See also: How to grow and care for Lilacs?

 

French Marigold: Overview

Genus Name	Tagetes patula
Common Name	French Marigold
Plant Type	Annual
Soil	Ordinary
Soil Drainage	Moist but well-drained
Light	Sun
Height	6 to 24 inches
Width	6 to 18 inches
Flower Colour	Orange, Red, Yellow
Foliage Colour	Blue/Green
Characteristics	Fragrant, Showy
Season Features	Fall Bloom, Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom
Special Features	Fragrance, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance
Propagation	Seed
Problem Solvers	Deer-resistant, Drought Tolerant
Flowering	May to September
Attracts	Butterflies, Hummingbirds

 

Where to grow French Marigolds?

Planting is crucial since it dictates how the plant will develop and when the French marigold will bloom. French marigolds grow best in all light and thrive in hot weather. While they are slightly more tolerant of wet weather than African marigolds, they do not bloom well in chilly, moist places. These annuals are bright additions to garden beds, borders, and good container plants. Gardening of French marigolds bought in containers (pots available at horticultural stores) often begins in April or May.

 

When and how to plant French Marigolds?

French marigolds can be bought from nursery plants or produced from seed. Plant nursery plants at the beginning of the spring, after the last frost, at a position with all the light and well-draining soil. Based on the variety, French marigold plants must be planted somewhat below where they are in their nursery pots and placed 9 to 18 inches apart.

Start planting French marigold seeds four to six weeks before the beginning of winter in a seed-starting mix. Cover them with a bare 1/4 inch of dirt and wet them. They require a warm environment of 21°C to 23°C to germinate. Seedlings appear within a week or two of being seeded. After the last frost, put them in the garden. After all the risk of frost has gone, the seed can also be planted straight into a garden bed.

 

How to care for French Marigold?

Light

French marigolds thrive in full sunlight, which is required to produce massive, dense flowers and luxuriant foliage. If placed somewhere other than the full sunlight, the plant will live, but its flower yield will decline.

Water and soil

French marigolds thrive in well-drained soil that does not remain wet for lengthy periods of time. Compost should be added to the soil to improve drainage.

Humidity and temperature

French marigolds thrive in hot summer weather. The plant produces the most flowers when the temperature is between 20℃ and 24℃, although it will continue to bloom outside of this range, but not as abundantly. They can withstand a wide variety of humidity. They may acquire powdery mildew if the weather is particularly humid.

Fertiliser

Dig in a slow-release powdered fertiliser to support the plants unless the garden soil is rich or can be modified before planting. They will not require any more fertiliser than that. Overfertilization increases foliage but not flowers. If your plants require a boost in the middle of the season, apply a low-nitrogen liquid plant fertiliser according to the package directions.

Pruning

Annual marigolds do not require trimming, but when the blooms fade, pull them off to direct the plant’s energy toward producing new flowers rather than seeds.

 

French Marigold: Benefits 

Medicinal

Many civilisations employ infusions of dried leaves or florets for medicinal purposes. According to research, T. Patula essential oil may be used as a residual insecticide against bed bugs. The essential oil is being studied for its antifungal action, which includes the treatment of candidiasis and fungal diseases in plants. 

Culinary

A common spice is dried and crushed flower petals. The spice adds a distinct, earthy flavour to Georgian cuisine, notably complementary to cinnamon and cloves flavours. It is also a key ingredient in the spice blend Khmeli Suneli, which is to Georgian cooking what garam masala is to North Indian cooking – and with which Georgia shares features of Mughlai cuisine.

Colouring

The flower petals can also be utilised to colour human foods. Colourless animal-based fabrics (wool, silk) are coloured with a golden yellow dye, while cotton and synthetic textiles require a mordant.

Fragrance

When the plant is in bloom, it is collected and processed for its essential oil. The oil is employed in fragrance.

 

French Marigold: Pest and diseases

When French marigolds are grown in partial shade, they are susceptible to fungal infections such as powdery mildew. Marigolds are also susceptible to spider mites in the dry summer heat, so keep an eye out for fine webbing and treatment with insecticidal soap as required.

 

French Marigold: Toxicity

French Marigolds are less toxic to humans. However, due to the phototoxic thiophene derivatives, some toxicity symptoms can be skin redness, burning pain and blisters if broken skin comes into contact with the cell sap and sunlight. It can also cause nose and eye irritation from the aroma of flowers. Cats, dogs, and other animals are also sensitive to these flowers. Marigolds can cause irritation, diarrhoea and vomiting in dogs, so keep them away from them as much as possible.

 

FAQs

Is it possible to eat French marigolds?

French marigolds are medically edible.

Are the petals of French marigolds poisonous?

According to research, the French marigold is only slightly harmful unless a substantial portion of the plant and bloom is consumed.

Are French marigolds beneficial to the garden?

French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are an excellent plant to cultivate.

What do you know about French marigolds?

The term French marigolds comes from its prominence in French gardens.

Do French marigolds germinate?

French marigolds extend horizontally, resulting in a modest, broader ground cover.

How much room do French marigolds require?

The room with 8-10 inch spacing is sufficient for French Marigold.

When does the French marigold bloom?

Spring, Summer, and Fall are the seasons when French Marigolds bloom.

Is it challenging to cultivate French marigolds?

No, the seeds of French marigolds are simple to cultivate.

Which soil is ideal for growing French marigolds?

Marigolds prefer full sun and thrive on well-drained, loamy soil.

What are the requirements for growing French marigolds?

Full sun in well-drained, reasonably productive, dry, damp soils is required to grow French Marigold.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected]