French marigold
Tagetes patula
Some types suppress root-knot nematodes when grown as a solid planting.
Hardiness: zones 2 to 11
Light: full sun
Size: about 1 ft tall, 1 ft wide
From: Mexico
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: pollinators.
Native to: Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean. Hardy in zones 2 to 11.
The story
French marigolds are Mexican. The Aztecs grew them, Spanish ships carried them to Europe, and they picked up the name in French gardens. In Mexico their cousin cempasúchil still lights the way home on the Day of the Dead.
Planting
Sow after the last frost or set out young plants, in full sun and ordinary soil.
Growing
Deadhead for more flowers. To work against root-knot nematodes, plant a whole bed solid for two months and then dig the plants in; a few along the edge will not do it.
Harvest and use
Hoverflies and small butterflies visit the single-flowered kinds. Petals are edible and color rice like a poor man's saffron.
What to watch for
Slugs when young. Spider mites in hot, dry weather.
See if French marigold fits your yard
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More helper plants for soil, wildlife and biomass
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home