French Marigold
Tagetes patula
Last reviewed: October 2026
French Marigold (Tagetes patula) is a annual forb. It blooms in May, June, July, August, September, and October.
Toxicity unknown
French Marigold (Tagetes patula) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
6"–12" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Native alternatives to French Marigold
French Marigold is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
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A compact bushy annual with finely divided foliage and yellow to mahogany flowers from planting until frost. It blooms hard with almost no care and is often used to edge vegetable beds. Deadheading keeps it flowering.
Growing French Marigold
Grow French Marigold in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
French Marigold takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: front yard, foundation bed, border.
Wildlife value
Flowers offer nectar that generalist visitors will use, but as a non-native it feeds no local caterpillars. Treat it as garden interest rather than habitat.
Common questions
- How much sun does French Marigold need?
- French Marigold grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does French Marigold bloom?
- French Marigold blooms in May, June, July, August, September, and October.
- Is French Marigold HOA-friendly?
- French Marigold takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow French Marigold? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.