African Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is a flowering plant native to Mexico. It is commonly referred to as the African marigold. Its bright colors make it an ideal addition to a garden. It is easy to grow and requires no special care. There are many different varieties of the plant.
Plant Tagetes erecta
This beautiful plant can grow from seed or from cuttings. This flowering plant prefers a sunny location and needs at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. It also needs regular watering, and its roots are well developed. Proper watering will help to reduce pests and improve flower quality.
African marigolds have a strong scent and are effective in deterring pests. Their petals can be used as a natural food colorant and are also used to color egg yolks and poultry skin. Researchers have also found that African marigolds can be grown commercially. In one study, five cultivars were tested. One cultivar, E-1236, was consistently the top producer over three seasons. It also produced the highest quantities of lutein in the 1998 and 1999 growing seasons.
The flowering plant Tagetes erecta has large, orange or yellow blossoms. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 to 11. It requires full sunlight and well-drained soil to grow.
Plant Tagetes erecta ‘Discovery Orange’
Tagetes erecta ‘Disccovery Orange’ is an excellent choice for your flowerbed. It produces large orange flowers all summer long and is a native of Mexico and Central America. It is also known as the African marigold. This plant is often used in mixed plantings, borders, or mass plantings.
Plant Tagetes erecta ‘Crackerjack’
African Marigold Plant Tagetes erecto ‘Crackerjack’ has large, bright flowers. They make excellent cut flowers and have a citrusy, spicy taste. They can even be used as a garnish on rice. This plant grows from two to three feet tall and produces flowers from midsummer to first frost.
This variety produces big, showy flower puffs with flowers that are four to five inches long. It is a tender annual and needs some protection from wind. It is best planted in a sheltered area and staked to keep it from toppling over. The plant also looks particularly attractive when grown in mass.
African marigolds are edible, but they can also be used as a natural dye. Their scent is pungent enough to scare away unwanted pests. They are also poisonous to harmful root knot nematodes. You can also use their blooms as a garnish in salads and cocktails.
