Tagetes minuta
wild marigold
Overview
Tagetes minuta is a tall, strongly aromatic annual herb native to the temperate grasslands of southern South America, growing 2–6.5 feet (0.6–2 m) tall and occasionally taller in rich soil. The erect, branching stems carry finely divided, fern-like leaves 2–6 inches (5–15 cm) long, dotted with oil glands that release a pungent scent when crushed. Small flower heads 0.2–0.5 inch (5–12 mm) long are grouped in dense, flat-topped clusters at the stem tips; each head holds a few pale yellow to cream ray florets and yellow disc florets. Slender dry seeds with bristles follow. The plant grows quickly from seed in a single season and self-sows freely, and it has naturalized as a weed across warm and temperate regions worldwide, including much of Australia, Africa, and southern Europe. Tagetes minuta is the source of tagetes oil, used in perfumery and flavoring, and its leaves are used as a culinary herb in Andean cooking. Root compounds suppress some soil nematodes, so it is sometimes grown as a cover or rotation crop. It can crowd out other plants and is regulated as a weed in some regions.
Native Range
Native to the temperate lowlands and grasslands of southern South America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. It has naturalized widely as a weed across Australia, Africa, Asia, and southern Europe.Suggested Uses
Tagetes minuta is grown as an aromatic herb for Andean cooking, as a source of tagetes essential oil, and as a cover or rotation crop where its roots help suppress soil nematodes. In vegetable gardens it is sometimes planted among crops for the same nematode-reducing effect.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 6'6"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs from late summer into autumn, roughly February to May in the southern hemisphere and mid to late summer in the northern hemisphere. Flowering is followed quickly by abundant seed. In its weedy range it completes flowering and seeding before the first frosts kill the plant.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale yellow to creamFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Tagetes minuta grows in full sun on most well-drained soils and germinates readily once soil warms in spring. It is an annual that needs regular moisture for fast growth but tolerates short dry periods once established. The plant requires no fertilizing in average soil and often grows most strongly on disturbed or cultivated ground. It self-sows heavily, and seedlings can become weedy if flower heads are not removed before seed sets. The whole plant dies with the first hard frost at the end of the season.Pruning
Pinching the growing tips early produces branching and a bushier shape. Removing flower heads before seed ripens limits self-sowing. No other pruning is needed for this annual.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons