Tips for Growing African Marigolds

Many gardeners plant marigolds in their veggie patches to repel bugs and other types of pests. But let me tell you – marigolds offer so much more than pretty pest control.

Tagetes erecta, or African marigolds, belong to the same genus as other marigolds, and they share many similar features and care requirements.

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In our guide to growing marigolds, you can read more about these wonderful plants and we share cultivation instructions.

African marigolds can thrive in many types of soil, have a long blooming season, and are incredibly hardy. These marigolds have also been used for thousands of years by Spanish and pre-Spanish civilizations for food, medicine, dyes, and rituals.

In this guide we’ll cover how to cultivate African marigolds in your garden. Here’s the lineup:

I love this plant because of its many different uses. I’ve seen T. erecta used as a garnish for meals and in crafts when dying fabric.

Plus, they have those iconic flower heads that can grow as large as four inches across. There’s something really unique and attractive about a big honkin’ flower head in a bold color!

Let’s get started.

T. erecta is usually referred to commonly as the African marigold, but it is also known as the Mexican, Aztec, American, or big marigold.

Native to Mexico and Central America, these plants are best known for their massive flower heads and long flower stems.

They have a rich history in Mexico as the flower of choice for celebrating the Day of the Dead. In Mexico, these huge marigolds have been grown for hundreds of years to decorate the altars of loved