African Marigold
Tagetes erecta 'Crackerjack'
flowerAfrican marigold of the Crackerjack type is a tall, robust annual carrying big, fully double pompom blooms in gold, orange, and yellow from summer to frost on 2 to 3 foot plants. Easy and dependable, it is both a bold bedding flower and a classic vegetable-garden companion.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Bloom
~75 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
12-18 in. apart
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Planting Depth
Seed 1/4 in. deep
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Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 11
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Light feed at planting; avoid excess
Fertilizer
Balanced; low needs
🌱 Growing Guide
Sow seed directly after the last frost or start indoors a few weeks earlier, barely covering it, and grow in full sun in average, well-drained soil. Marigolds are tough and low-care; avoid rich soil and excess nitrogen, which favor leaves over flowers. Deadhead spent pompoms to keep the plant blooming hard into fall, and stake the tallest plants.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 22
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Projected first bloom
Jul 6
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Tomato — Marigold roots suppress root-knot nematodes and the scent helps deter some pests
- Pepper — Shares full sun while marigold deters aphids and nematodes
- Beans — Marigolds are reputed to help repel beetles around legumes
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Most common in hot dry spells; rinse foliage and avoid drought stress
Hose off clusters and let ladybugs build up; marigolds also pull aphids off neighbors
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Cut blooms for the vase when fully open, in the morning, and strip the lower leaves, which can smell strong. Constant cutting and deadheading keep the plant flowering; let a few heads dry on the plant to save seed.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
A celebrated companion plant whose roots suppress root-knot nematodes; the flowers feed bees and butterflies and the pungent foliage helps deter several garden pests.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
Low toxicity. Marigold sap can cause a phototoxic skin reaction - redness, burning, and blistering - where it touches skin that is then exposed to sunlight, and the strong scent of the flowers can irritate the eyes and nose, so wear gloves if you are sensitive when handling or deadheading. The petals are sometimes used as an edible garnish, but the plant is grown as an ornamental and companion plant rather than for eating.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.