Petite French Marigold Seed Mix Tagetes patula. 100 Seeds
This charming dwarf marigold mix features a joyful combination of golden orange, bright yellow, and red. These compact plants are dense and short, providing plenty of blooms without occupying much space in your garden. Growing this classic flower is a breeze, making it a fantastic option for novice gardeners. Check out what other marigold seeds you can add to your home flower garden!
Originally from Mexico and Central America, the French Petite Marigold flowers made their way to Europe with explorers and quickly became favored as ornamental plants. Their beauty often led to them being used to decorate statues of Mary, which is how they got the nickname "Mary's gold." Gardeners frequently plant this species alongside vegetables, as it helps ward off diseases and pesky pests. The genus name "Tagetes" is derived from Tages, an ancient deity who emerged from the earth. Meanwhile, the species name "patula" comes from the Latin term for "spreading wide," which describes the way the blossoms open up.
Latin Name: Tagetes patula
Species Origin: Introduced US Flower
Type: Garden Flowers
Life Cycle: Annual
USDA Zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
US Regions: California, Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast
Seeds per Ounce: 8,500
Stratification: No Stratification
Germination Ease: No Stratification
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height: 9 Inches
Color: Yellow
Bloom Season: Blooms Early Summer, Blooms Late Summer, Blooms Early Fall
Uses: Cut Flowers
Sowing: In spring, directly sow the French Marigold seeds just beneath the soil's surface. Keep the soil lightly moist until they germinate. You can also start this plant indoors 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost; these seeds thrive in high humidity and around 70 degrees F. Germination typically happens within 5-10 days.
Growing: Water the seedlings occasionally until they’re established; mature plants can handle some drought, but giving them water during particularly dry spells will boost their blooms. Pinch back the growing stems to promote bushiness. Deadheading will encourage ongoing blooming. The French Petite Marigold is great for attracting bees and butterflies and will self-seed under good conditions. It’s a fantastic option for borders or container gardening.
Harvesting: For cut flowers, pick stems with flowers that have just opened. Remove any foliage that will be submerged in water, and place them in water right away.
Seed Saving: Let the flowers drop their petals and form spiky seed heads. When they’re ripe, the heads will turn brown or dark brown and can be easily broken apart to access the narrow, sharp seeds. Take the ripe seed heads and lay them out to dry away from direct sunlight. Once fully dried, break apart the heads to separate the French Marigold seeds from the husk. Store the cleaned French Petite Marigold wildflower seed mix in a cool, dry spot.
