(Tagetes erecta ‘Naughty Marietta’)
Naughty Marietta Marigold is a compact annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing on banks and slopes throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 6-12” and features divided green foliage and aromatic flower heads with yellow petals with mahogany streaks at their base. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and ladybugs, repels bean beetles, cabbage loopers, and nematodes, is both edible and medicinal, and can be used as a trap crop for aphids.
Genus: Tagetes
Species: erecta
Variety: Naughty Marietta Marigold
Awards: 1947 All-America Selections Winner.
Native to: Guatemala, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest.
Introduced into: Alabama, Andaman Is., Angola, Arkansas, Assam, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bulgaria, California, Cameroon, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Caroline Is., Cayman Is., Chad, Colombia, Connecticut, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Florida, France, Galápagos, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Gulf of Guinea Is., Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Illinois, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Jawa, Kansas, Kazakhstan, Kentucky, Korea, Krym, Laccadive Is., Laos, Leeward Is., Louisiana, Madeira, Marianas, Marshall Is., Maryland, Massachusetts, Mauritius, Missouri, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New York, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is., Niue, North Carolina, North Caucasus, Northern Provinces, Norway, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pakistan, Panamá, Pennsylvania, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Primorye, Puerto Rico, Rodrigues, Romania, Réunion, Sicilia, South Carolina, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Transcaucasus, Trinidad-Tobago, Tubuai Is., Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Utah, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vermont, Vietnam, Virginia, Windward Is., Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: Spring/Summer 50-60 days
Hardiness: Tender, These were originally tropical plants and don’t like cold weather or frost.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Summer
Growing Season: Short, Long
Growing Conditions: Warm, Hot. This tropical plant grows naturally in zones 9 to 11, but can be grown in colder climates as an annual.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 60°F - 95°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F. Don’t plant out until soil is at least 60˚ F, preferably higher.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Warm, Hot). Marigolds need full sun for best growth. They won't grow nearly as well in part shade and flowering will be delayed.
Water: Low. Marigolds are somewhat drought tolerant, but flower best if the soil is slightly moist (not wet though).
Feeder: Light. Marigolds aren't very hungry plants and growing them in rich soil can actually result in lush growth at the expense of flowers.
Suitability: High heat
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes. Marigold is well suited to container growing.
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes
Height: 6" to 12"
Spacing: 5" to 9"
Sow Depth: 1/4"
Produces: divided green foliage and aromatic flower heads that have yellow petals with mahogany streaks at their base.
USDA Zone: 3a-9b
Soil Preparation
Soil pH: 5.5-7.0, Ideal 5.8-6.2. Any well drained garden soil will work. It doesn't need to be very rich as this can result in excessive foliage growth and less flowers.
Soil Preparation:
Compost (Nitrogen), 2 inches apart, in top 6" of soil, 1 time: Incorporate compost into the top 6" of soil.
Start Indoors
Soil temp for germination: 60°F to 90°F, optimal 75°F to 80°F, optimal 75°F
Total weeks to grow transplant: 7 to 8 (Spring/Summer), (Fall/Winter)
Germinate:
2-4 weeks before last frost date: The seed doesn't germinate well in cold soil, so it is often started indoors 4 to 6 weeks before planting out. It transplants well so it can be started in flats. Place seeds 1/4" in deep in soil and keep moist.
Transplant Outdoors
Warm, Hot: This tropical plant grows naturally in zones 9 to 11, but can be grown in colder climates as an annual.
When outdoor temp: 60°F to 95°F, optimal temp 65°F to 70°F
When min soil temp: 60°F. Don’t plant out until soil is at least 60˚ F, preferably higher.
Spacing: 8"-12", 2 plants per sq ft. Sow seeds 2 - 3" apart. Thin to a final spacing of 8 - 12" apart.
Start Outdoors
When outdoor temp: 60°F to 95°F, optimal temp 65°F to 70°F
When min soil temp: 60°F. Don’t plant out until soil is at least 60˚ F, preferably higher.
Seed Depth: 0.0"-0.25". The seed can be sown on the surface, but is generally covered with ¼” of soil.
Spacing: 8.0"-12.0", 2 plants per sq ft. Sow seeds 2 - 3" apart. Thin to a final spacing of 8 - 12" apart.
Summer Crop:
2-12 weeks after last frost date: The seed can be direct sown any time after the soil has warmed up to at least 60˚ F. Plant 1/4" deep and keep soil moist during germination.
Support: No
Water Needs: Low. Marigolds are somewhat drought tolerant, but flower best if the soil is slightly moist (not wet though).
Fertilizer Needs: Light. Marigolds aren't very hungry plants and growing them in rich soil can actually result in lush growth at the expense of flowers.
Support: No
When: Cut in the early morning, just as the blossoms begin to open.
How: Using a sharp blade, cut the stem at the desired length (ideally at the base). Immediately put cut marigolds in a container of moderately warm water. After 2 hours, strip the bottom leaves that are submerged in the water from the plant. Arrange flowers in a vase with fresh water. They should last a week.
Deadheading flowers will extend the blossoming period all the way to the first frost.
Seed Viability in Years: 2 - 4 years
Taste:
Some cultivars have pleasant tasting flowers that are a nice addition to salads. Taste the flowers to see if they are worth eating.
Culinary Use:
The flowers of some types of Marigolds are edible. Basically, if it tastes good, you can use it.
Companions: Due to the possible allelopathic effects, it’s probably best to plant marigolds and vegetables in separate beds. Grow the marigolds as a cover crop and turn them into the soil at the end of the season. The brightly colored flowers are always welcome in ornamental plantings.
Enemies: Marigolds appear to be allelopathic to beans and vegetables of the cabbage family.
Suggested Varieties
(Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield')
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to England, but was first grown in the United States in 1840 by Francis Brill of Jersey City. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features dark-green, conical heads averaging 5" in diameter and weighing 2 to 3 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbits safe (in moderation), can be used as a trap crop for aphids, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Brassica oleracea 'Late Flat Dutch')
Late Flat Dutch Cabbage is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to the Netherlands, but was first offered in the United States by D. M. Ferry & Company in 1924. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features blue-green flat 12” heads that weigh up to 15 pounds. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, can be used as a trap crop for aphids, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre')
Red Acre Cabbage is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to southern Europe, but is commonly grown in the northern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features reddish purple round heads that weight up to 3 pounds. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, can be used as a trap crop for aphids, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Brassica rapa 'Pak Choi')
Pak Choi Chinese Cabbage is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to southern China, but has been commercially grown in the United States for more than 100 years. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-18” and features a head of smooth, dark green leaves with thick white stalks. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, can be used as a trap crop for aphids, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Amana Orange')
Amana Orange Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather perennial vegetable that is native to Iowa, where it was named by Gary Staley after the Amana Colonies of Amana, Iowa. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 60-84” and features globe shaped, reddish orange beefsteak indeterminate tomatoes that average 1-2 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Beefsteak')
Beefsteak Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to New York, where it was bred by Peter Henderson in 1894. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-60” and features indeterminate, globe shaped, slightly ribbed red tomatoes that average 1-2 pounds. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Krim')
Black Krim Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Russia, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 48-72” and features indeterminate, globe shaped tomatoes that vary in color from reddish brown to purplish green, and average 10-16 ounces. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Green Zebra')
Green Zebra Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Washington, where it was bred by Tom Wagner in 1983. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 60-84” and features indeterminate, globe shaped greenish yellow tomatoes striped with green, averaging 3-5 ounces. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Hillbilly')
Hillbilly Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to West Virginia and has been around since the 1800's. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 48-72” and features indeterminate, 1-2 lbs. globe shaped, reddish orange tomatoes that have multicolored red, orange, and yellow flesh. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Italian Roma')
Italian Roma Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to United States where it was developed by the USDA in 1955. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-60” and features determinate, oblong red tomatoes that average 3-5 ounces. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Purple Cherokee')
Purple Cherokee Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 48-96” and features indeterminate, globe shaped reddish purple tomatoes that average 12-16 oz. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Sweetie Cherry')
Sweetie Cherry Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to the United States, where it was first introduced by the Petoseed Company in 1980. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 72-96” and features indeterminate, clusters of round red cherry tomatoes that average 1" in diameter. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum lycopersicum 'Yellow Pear')
Yellow Pear Tomato is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Europe, but was first introduced to North America by the Hudson Bay Company of Vancouver, Canada. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 60-84” and features indeterminate, pear shaped, low acid yellow tomatoes that average 1 ounce. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetics, insecticides, and soap, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Anaheim')
Anaheim Chili Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to New Mexico, where it was developed by Emilio Ortega and brought to Anaheim California in 1896. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 6-8" tapered mildly hot peppers that mature from dark green to dark red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum ' Bolivian Rainbow')
Bolivian Rainbow Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Bolivia, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 1-2" Christmas bulb shaped hot peppers that begin a cream color and turn purple, golden, orange and finally red as they mature. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make an insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum chinense 'Habanero')
Habanero Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to South America, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features extremely hot 1-2" peppers that mature from green to orange to red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make an insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Jalapeno')
Jalapeno Hot Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 20-24” and features 2-3" tapered hot peppers that mature from green to orange/red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Hungarian Yellow Wax')
Hungarian Yellow Wax Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Hungary, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 4-5" tapered mildly hot peppers that mature from dark green to dark red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Long Red Cayenne')
Long Red Cayenne Hot Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to South America, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 22-24” and features 5-6" thin, curled hot peppers that mature from green to red This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Serrano')
Serrano Hot Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 30” and features 2-3" tapered hot peppers that mature from green to orange/red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make an insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Capsicum annuum 'Tabasco')
Tabasco Hot Pepper is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, the plant reaches the height of 48-60” and features 2-3" tapered hot peppers that mature from green to red. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought, is used to make an insect repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum melongena 'Black Beauty')
Black Beauty Eggplant is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to south eastern Asia, but was introduced into the United States by Burpee Seed Company in 1902. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features 8” pear shaped, dark purple eggplant. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Solanum melongena 'Long Purple')
Long Purple Eggplant is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to south eastern Asia, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features 9” cylindrical, smooth, dark purple eggplants. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, and is both edible and medicinal!