French Marigold Tagetes patula 'Alumia Vanilla Cream' (Alumia Series)
ABOUT
The Alumia Vanilla Cream, belonging to the Alumia Series, is a variety of French Marigold that boasts distinctive floral characteristics. The flowers present a creamy white to soft vanilla color that sets them apart from the more common bright oranges and yellows typically associated with marigolds. The blooms exhibit a subtle yet elegant charm with a delicate, anemone-like appearance, making them a unique addition to any garden display. The petals are arranged in a layered fashion, creating a full and lush look that adds texture and depth. Along with its visual allure, the Alumia Vanilla Cream also emits a pleasant scent that is known to attract beneficial insects and repel pests, combining beauty with functionality. Overall, the plant exudes a gentle and sophisticated ambiance through its creamy-hued blossoms.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
French Marigold, Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold
Common names
Tagetes patula 'Alumia Vanilla Cream'
ToxicityTo humans
French marigold Tagetes patula 'Alumia Vanilla Cream' is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, like many plants, it can cause minor irritation to those with sensitive skin or allergies. If ingested in large quantities, it might cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but significant poisoning is rare. Generally, the plant is not a cause for concern for humans.
To pets
French marigold (Tagetes patula 'Alumia Vanilla Cream') has a low level of toxicity to pets. Although not considered highly poisonous, ingestion may lead to mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. It is always advisable to prevent pets from ingesting this plant, but serious poisoning is uncommon.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Cream
Height
1 feet (30 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Tagetes patula 'Alumia Vanilla Cream' adds a soft, creamy color to gardens, with its light yellow to off-white flowers creating a visually calming effect.
- Pollinator Attraction: These flowers attract bees and butterflies, which are vital for pollinating garden plants and nearby crops.
- Pest Control: French Marigolds are known to repel certain nematodes and harmful insects, keeping other plants in the garden healthier.
- Companion Planting: They are great companions for vegetable gardens as they help in deterring pests from important food crops.
- Easy to Grow: French Marigolds, including Alumia series, are known for being robust and easy to cultivate, making them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Edging and Borders: Their compact size and dense growth habiti make them ideal for creating defined edges or borders in a garden landscape.
- Continuous Blooming: The plant is valued for its long blooming season, providing flowers from early summer until fall frost.
- Versatile Planting: Ideal for flower beds, containers, and window boxes, offering flexibility in gardening design and space utilization.
- Soil Improvement: When turned into the soil at the end of the season, marigolds can improve soil quality for the next year's plants.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Natural dye – Tagetes patula blooms can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of yellow to orange hues depending on the mordant used.
- Companion planting – This marigold is often planted in vegetable gardens to repel harmful pests like nematodes and to attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and bees.
- Chicken feed additive – The petals can be mixed into chicken feed to enhance the color yolk of the eggs produced due to the xanthophylls present in the flowers.
- Ritual and cultural events – In some cultures, marigold flowers are used in ceremonial events and festivals, including being part of flower carpets or altars.
- Greeting cards and paper making – Dried petals of the marigold can be incorporated into paper production for a decorative element or used directly on greeting cards.
- Photography – The vibrant color and unique form of the marigold can serve as an excellent subject for botanical photography and can help in teaching aspects of macro photography.
- Art projects – The petals can be used in crafting, such as for making natural confetti or for inclusion in resin jewelry and artworks.
- Flavor infusion – While not typical, the flowers can be used to infuse oils with color and a light fragrance, which can then be used in homemade cosmetics or candles.
- Educational gardening – The marigold is an excellent choice for school gardens due to its ease of growth and the ability to demonstrate plant lifecycle and pollination to students.
- Culinary presentation – Fresh petals of marigold can be used as a decorative edible garnish in culinary dishes, adding a touch of color to salads and desserts.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe French Marigold is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe French Marigold is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Life and Vitality: The French Marigold, as with other marigolds, is known for its vibrant colors which symbolize the energy and warmth of life.
- Desire for Riches: In some cultures, marigolds are associated with the pursuit of wealth due to their golden hues, reminiscent of coins or gold.
- Overcoming Grief: Marigolds are often used in Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico to honor and remember the deceased, symbolizing the overcoming of sadness and the celebration of life.
- Beauty and Warmth: Having a cheerful and sunny appearance, French Marigolds embody attributes of positivity and joy, often symbolizing beauty and the warmth of the sun.
- Protection: French Marigolds are believed to have protective qualities, warding off pests in gardens, which extends to symbolizing the warding off of negativity or harm.
WaterFrench marigolds, like the Alumia Vanilla Cream, should be watered deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This typically means watering once every week, but frequency may increase to twice per week during hot, dry periods. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, as this can promote disease. Each plant needs about 16 ounces of water per watering session, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Adjust the amount based on rainfall and temperature, making sure to reduce watering in cooler or rainy weather.
LightFrench marigolds thrive in full sun, meaning they require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for Alumia Vanilla Cream marigolds is in an area with unobstructed sunlight, such as a south-facing garden bed or a sunny window if grown indoors. They can tolerate partial shade but will bloom more profusely with ample sunlight.
TemperatureFrench marigolds prefer warm conditions and should be kept in temperatures between 60°F and 75°F for optimal growth. They can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 35°F, but frost will damage the plants. During the hot summer months, they can withstand temperatures up to around 90°F, as long as they are well-watered.
PruningPruning French marigolds is important for encouraging bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous flowering and reduce self-seeding. Cut back leggy stems to about one-third their length in the summer to rejuvenate the plant. Optimal pruning time is after the main flush of blooms has faded, which is typically mid to late summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFrench Marigold thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, with an optimal pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A mix of loam, peat, and coarse sand or perlite is ideal, providing nutrients and proper drainage.
RepottingFrench Marigold plants, being annuals, do not typically require repotting as they will complete their life cycle in one season.
Humidity & MistingFrench Marigold prefers average ambient humidity levels, without the need for any special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moderately moist.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny spot after frost; water well; deadhead.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleThe French Marigold 'Alumia Vanilla Cream' starts its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in warm, moist soil; this usually occurs in spring when soil temperatures reach 70-75°F (21-24°C). Following germination, the seedling emerges and grows into a vegetative plant, developing a rosette of leaves and then stems. As it matures, the plant begins to form buds, which eventually bloom into the distinctive creamy-white flowers with a hint of yellow that the 'Alumia Vanilla Cream' variety is known for. This blooming period can last throughout the summer and into the fall, depending on the climate and care. After pollination, the plant sets seeds that mature, completing the reproductive cycle. Following seeding or at the onset of colder weather, the annual French Marigold 'Alumia Vanilla Cream' will die, having completed its one-year lifecycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating French Marigold 'Alumia Vanilla Cream' is by sowing seeds. Seed propagation can be started indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area to get a head start on the growing season. Sow the seeds in a well-draining seed starting mix, placing them on the soil surface or covering lightly with about 1/8 inch (approximately 3 mm) of soil, as they need some light to germinate. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged and maintain a temperature around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 24 degrees Celsius) for optimum germination. Seedlings usually emerge in 5 to 14 days. Once the seedlings have developed a couple of true leaves and are large enough to handle, they should be transplanted into individual pots or spaced out in the garden after the risk of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed.
