French Marigold Tagetes patula 'Safari Mixture'
ABOUT
The 'Safari Mixture' marigold is known for its vibrant and richly colored flowers that dazzle in shades of orange, gold, yellow, and deep rust red, often with multiple colors blended together in a striking display. Each flower features a dense cluster of small, tubular blooms that come together to form a rounded head known commonly as a pom-pom. The petals are often velvety to the touch and can display a variety of patterns, from solid hues to a bicolor combination with contrasting edges or centers. The foliage of the Safari Mixture marigold provides a lush green backdrop with leaves that are finely divided and fern-like in appearance with a slightly serrated edge giving them a frilly look. This marigold has a bushy growth habit, presenting a full and rounded shape that adds substance to garden beds and containers. The leaves emit a distinct fragrance when touched or crushed, a scent that's characteristic of the marigold family and often used as a natural pest deterrent. Overall, the Safari Mixture marigold is a cheery and bold addition to any garden space, offering a prolonged season of bloom and an eye-catching spectrum of warm colors.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
French Marigold, Marigold 'Safari Mixture'
Common names
Tagetes patula 'Safari Mixture'.
ToxicityTo humans
French marigold is generally considered to be non-toxic to humans. However, like any plant, individual sensitivities can vary and ingestion in large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset. If symptoms of discomfort or allergic reactions occur after handling or ingesting the plant, medical attention should be sought.
To pets
French marigold is not typically toxic to pets. Nonetheless, some animals may experience mild digestive upset if they consume a large amount of the plant. Symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea could occur. Monitoring your pet and consulting a veterinarian if symptoms are severe or persist is recommended.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
10-12 inches (25-30 cm)
Spread
6-8 inches (15-20 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The 'Safari Mixture' marigold has bright, bold colors that can add visual interest and vibrancy to any garden or landscape.
- Pest Repellent: Marigolds are known to repel certain pests, making them a great choice for companion planting to protect other plants in the garden.
- Ease of Growth: Marigolds are generally easy to grow and can thrive in a variety of soil types, making them accessible to beginner gardeners.
- Edging and Borders: Their uniform growth habit and colorful flowers make them ideal for creating attractive edges and borders in garden beds.
- Compact Size: The 'Safari Mixture' marigold is relatively compact, which means it can be grown in smaller spaces or containers.
- Pollinator Attraction: Marigolds attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which help pollinate other plants in the garden.
- Season-Long Bloom: These plants can produce flowers throughout the growing season, providing long-lasting color and interest.
- Drought Resistance: Marigolds are somewhat drought-resistant and can survive in dry conditions better than many other plants.
- Low Maintenance: They require minimal care beyond the occasional watering and deadheading to encourage more blooms.
Medical Properties- Antimicrobial: Compounds in Tagetes patula have been studied for their potential antimicrobial properties against certain bacteria and fungi.
- Anti-inflammatory: Some research suggests that extracts from Tagetes patula may have anti-inflammatory effects.
- Antioxidant: The plant contains flavonoids and other compounds that may act as antioxidants.
- Antiparasitic: In some traditional medicine practices, Tagetes patula is used to treat parasitic infections.
- Nematicidal: Extracts from the plant have been used to control nematode pests, which may be beneficial in a medicinal context for treating parasitic nematode infections.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Chicken Feed Additive: French marigold petals can be used as a natural feed additive to enhance the egg yolk color due to their lutein content.
- Dye Production: The flowers can be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics, giving a range of colors from yellow to orange.
- Companion Planting: French marigolds can be planted in vegetable gardens to help repel harmful insects and nematodes from crops like tomatoes.
- Garden Aesthetics: Their vibrant colors are used in landscape design to create visually appealing patterns and borders.
- Rituals and Ceremonies: In some cultures, French marigolds are used as decorations for religious events and festivals.
- Crafts and Decor: Dried flowers of French marigolds are incorporated into potpourri mixes or used to make natural wreaths and ornaments.
- Biological Pest Control: The plant can serve as a habitat for beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help control pest populations.
- Soil Health Indicator: The growth of French marigolds can indicate the health of the soil, particularly in terms of nematode infestation.
- Natural Mulch: When left to decompose on the soil, the plant can act as a mulch, providing nutrients and improving soil structure.
- Photography and Art: The bright and colorful flowers are often used as subjects in photography and botanical illustrations.
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 - Tagetes patula, commonly known as French marigold, often symbolizes the sun and its life-giving energy due to its vibrant and lively colors.
- Passing through Life - The French marigold is associated with the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, as it is commonly used in Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico to honor departed souls.
- Desire for Riches - Its golden hues can represent a wish for prosperity and wealth.
- Overcoming Challenges - The hardy nature and resilience of French marigolds suggest the ability to overcome difficulties and challenges in life.
- Protection - These flowers are believed to hold protective qualities and are often planted to repel harmful insects and pests, thus symbolizing safety and defense.
- Beauty and Creativity - With their beautiful range of colors and patterns, French marigolds represent the beauty of nature and human creativity in gardening and floral design.
- Healing - Marigolds have been used in traditional medicine for healing, symbolizing health and the healing process.
WaterFrench marigolds prefer evenly moist soil, so it's crucial to water them deeply and thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This might mean watering once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. A good method is to pour water directly onto the soil at the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease. Providing about one inch of water per week during dry conditions will keep them thriving. During extreme heat, increase watering slightly, but always check the soil moisture first to prevent overwatering.
LightFrench marigolds thrive best in full sun, meaning they require at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The ideal spot for these flowers would be in an area that receives unfiltered sunlight for the majority of the day. They can tolerate some light shade, especially in hot climates, but their blooming may be reduced in less than full sun conditions.
TemperatureFrench marigolds perform well in a range of temperatures, but the ideal temperature is between 60°F and 75°F. They can survive minimum temperatures of around 35°F, but frost can damage or kill the plants. They can handle some heat, but extreme temperatures over 90°F may stress the plants, so it is preferable to provide some afternoon shade in hotter regions.
PruningPruning French marigolds is important to encourage bushier growth and to prolong the flowering period. Pinching off the tops of the plants when they are young will help them to branch out. Regularly deadheading, or removing spent blooms, will promote continuous blooming. The best time for pruning is when you notice the first set of true leaves, and continue pruning as needed throughout the season to keep the plants tidy and flowering.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFrench Marigold thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. An ideal soil mix consists of equal parts garden soil, peat moss or compost, and perlite or vermiculite. The optimum pH for French Marigold is between 6.0 and 7.5, slightly acidic to neutral.
RepottingFrench Marigolds, being annuals, typically do not require repotting. They are sown or planted anew each growing season, so repotting is usually not part of their care routine.
Humidity & MistingFrench Marigold does well in average humidity conditions typical of outdoor environments. It does not have specific humidity requirements but performs best if not subjected to excessively high humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light, water when dry, keep in warm spot.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, after frost risk.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleFrench Marigold 'Safari Mixture' begins its life cycle as a seed, often sown indoors before the last frost or directly into the garden in spring. Once germination takes place, seedlings emerge and start to develop the distinct, ferny foliage typical of Marigolds. As the plant matures, it produces sturdy stems and a bushy growth habit, along with multiple flower buds. The flowers bloom from early summer to fall, showcasing a vibrant mix of yellows, oranges, and reds, which attract pollinators. After pollination, these flowers can produce seeds, which are encased in dried flower heads. When the growing season comes to an end, French Marigold 'Safari Mixture' completes its life cycle as it senesces and can be removed from the garden, or left to self-seed for the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
Propogation: The most popular method for propagating the French Marigold 'Safari Mixture' is through seeds. Seed propagation for French Marigolds typically begins in early spring, around 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. To propagate, seeds should be sown in a light seed-starting mix, barely covered with soil since they need light to germinate. They should be kept moist and warm, ideally at a temperature of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-24 degrees Celsius), and placed in a well-lit area but out of direct sunlight. Germination usually occurs within 5 to 7 days. After the seedlings develop a couple of sets of true leaves and are sturdy enough, they can be transplanted to their final location outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.
