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Tagetes tenuifolia Signet, Signet Marigold

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

Introduction

There are two basic types of marigolds: the large-flowered American (also referred to as African) marigold tagetes erecta and the smaller-flowered French marigold tagetes patula. A less well-known species, Tagetes tenuifolia, has smaller flowers and leaves than most other marigolds. Yellow, orange, golden, or bicolored flowers are held either well above the fine-textured, dark green foliage or tucked in with the foliage, depending on the cultivar. They brighten up any sunny area in the landscape and attract attention. As flowers die, they hang on the plants and detract from the appearance of the landscape bed. Cut them off periodically to enhance appearance. Marigolds may be used as a dried flower and are planted 10 to 14 inches apart to form a solid mass of color. Some of the taller selections fall over in heavy rain or in windy weather.

Full Form - Tagetes tenuifolia: Signet, signet marigold.
Figure 1. Full Form - Tagetes tenuifolia: Signet, signet marigold.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS

General Information

Scientific name: Tagetes tenuifolia

Pronunciation: tuh-JEE-teez ten-yoo-iff-FOLE-lee-uh

Common name(s): signet, signet marigold

Family: Compositae

Plant type: annual

USDA hardiness zones: all zones (Figure 2)

Planting month for zone 7: Jun

Planting month for zone 8: May; Jun

Planting month for zone 9: Mar; Apr; Sep; Oct; Nov

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: Feb; Mar; Oct; Nov; Dec

Origin: native to North America

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Uses: container or above-ground planter; edging; border; attracts butterflies; accent

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Credit:

Description

Height: 1 to 2 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Plant habit: round

Plant density: dense

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite

Leaf type: odd-pinnately compound

Leaf margin: serrate

Leaf shape: oblong

Leaf venation: not applicable

Leaf type and persistence: not applicable

Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: not applicable

Fall characteristic: not applicable

Flower

Flower color: orange; yellow; golden; bicolored

Flower characteristic: showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: no fruit

Fruit length: no fruit

Fruit cover: no fruit

Fruit color: not applicable

Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable

Current year stem/twig color: green

Current year stem/twig thickness: thin

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in full sun

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; acidic; loam

Soil salt tolerances: unknown

Plant spacing: 12 to 18 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable

Winter interest: not applicable

Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding

Pest resistance: very sensitive to one or more pests or diseases which can affect plant health or aesthetics

Use and Management

Provide fertile soil and at least six hours of sun. Marigold holds up well during the hot summer days in north Florida if watered regularly. Mites and worms destroy the foliage in central and south Florida during the summer. Too much watering may cause dwarf types to rot. Too much nitrogen or shade causes leafy plants with few flowers. Marigold is suitable for summer use throughout the southeastern part of the country. Large plants may be transplanted if enough of the root system is dug up.

The seed germinates in one week at 70°F to 75°F. If the growing area is too hot the plants become leggy. Some horticulturists recommend setting the plants a little deeper than they were in the pot.

Many cultivars have been developed for flower color and plant size. One or more are usually available at local garden centers.

Pests and Diseases

Mites are the most frequent pest on marigolds, especially during hot weather. The leaves lose their green color and severe infestations cover the plant with fine webbing.

Tarnished plant bug causes distorted flowers and leaves.

Leafhopper causes cupping and in-rolling of leaf margins. The petioles are twisted, and the underside of infected leaves turn purplish as they are exposed to the sun. The branch tips and leaflets wilt, and the leaflets turn yellow and dry. New shoots develop below the point of attack. Dwarf varieties are more severely infested than taller types. The repeated killing of the branch tips delays flowering.

Greenhouse leaf tier webs the leaves or flower buds together. The insect feeds on the undersides of the leaves.

Slugs may be detected by the silvery slime trails they leave. Slugs can be controlled with slug baits used according to label directions.

Leafminers also can destroy the foliage.

Predatory mites and wasps have been used successfully for pest control.

Botrytis blight causes the flowers to turn brown and decay, especially in wet weather. A gray mold forms on the fading flowers. Pick off and destroy the infected flowers.

The same wilt that attacks China aster may infect marigold, particularly French and dwarf types. Infected plants wilt and die. Remove and destroy infected plants.

A leaf spot causes oval to irregular, gray to black spots on the leaflets. The spots may be speckled with black fruiting bodies. The disease starts on the lower leaves and progresses upward. Varieties of African marigolds are most susceptible.

Stems infected with wilt and stem rot turn brown and shrivel at the soil line. The foliage wilts and the plant dies. African types are most susceptible. Remove and destroy infected plants.

Publication #FPS-572

Release Date:February 12, 2024

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About this Publication

This document is FPS-572, one of a series of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1999. Revised October 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Edward F. Gilman, professor emeritus; Ryan W. Klein, assistant professor, arboriculture; and Gail Hansen, professor, sustainable landscape design; Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Gail Hansen de Chapman
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