African Marigold
Tagetes erecta
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Pl. 08D1 — Tagetes erecta
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IOverview
Overview
African Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is an annual forb/herb native to regions of Central and southern Mexico, including Guatemala. Known for its ornamental value and culinary uses, this plant thrives in full sun with a preference for dry to moist conditions. It can grow up to 1 meter tall and 0.7 meters wide, making it a striking addition to any garden. The edible parts include the flowers, which are often used in cooking. African Marigold is adaptable to various soil types—light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay)—and is hardy across zones 2 through 11. Its distinctive feature lies in its vibrant golden and orange blooms, which not only attract pollinators but also add a pop of color to landscapes.
Quick answers
What is African Marigold?
African Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is an annual forb/herb native to regions of Central and southern Mexico, including Guatemala. Known for its ornamental value and culinary uses, this plant thrives in full sun with a preference for dry to moist conditions.
What is African Marigold used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of African Marigold
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: African Marigold appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
African Marigold support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
African Marigolds thrive in full sun and are adaptable to various soil types, including light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay). They prefer dry to moist conditions but can tolerate drier soils once established. These plants are hardy in zones 2-11, making them suitable for temperate regions. For propagation, start seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost or direct sow after the danger of frost has passed. African Marigolds grow up to 1 meter tall and spread to 0.7 meters wide, making them a vibrant addition to any garden. The edible parts include the flowers, which can be used in various culinary applications.
Light
Full sun
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
2-11
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.0 m × 0.7 m
For first-time growers
How to grow African Marigold for the first time
8steps
Start with African Marigolds for a low-maintenance, colorful addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, planting soil, containers if needed.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, when temperatures are consistently above 15°C.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil; for containers, choose a pot at least 30 cm deep with drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 2.5-5 cm deep in the garden bed; space seedlings 30-45 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged, and protect from strong winds.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun exposure, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and pinch back for bushier growth.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune regularly to encourage more blooms; cut back spent flowers to promote new growth.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soil, not providing enough sunlight, neglecting regular pruning.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Flowers
Edible uses: Colouring, Condiment
Other uses:CompanionDyePest controlDynamic accumulatorFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
7 native · 23 introduced
Distribution
7 native · 23 introducedDistribution across5 continents· 7 native· 23 introduced
Europe1 region
introduced (1)Spain
Asia1 region
introduced (1)India
Americas4 regions
native (1)Guatemala
introduced (3)Costa RicaDominican RepublicEl Salvador
Africa6 regions
introduced (6)AngolaBeninCabo VerdeCameroonDjiboutiEthiopia
Oceania1 region
introduced (1)Fiji
Broader regions
native:Mexico Central, Mexico Southwest, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Northeast
introduced:Baltic States, Caroline Is., California, Cook Is., East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Florida, Galápagos, Gulf of Guinea Is., Connecticut
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
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