African marigolds are popular flowers known for their bright, vibrant colors and easy care requirements. When growing these annuals, one of the most important considerations is choosing the right size plant for your needs African marigolds come in a range of sizes, from petite dwarf varieties under a foot tall to giant varieties over three feet tall. Read on as I walk you through the different sizes of African marigold plants, and provide tips on selecting the perfect size for your garden.
An Overview of African Marigold Sizes
African marigolds, scientifically known as Tagetes erecta, display marigold flowers with large, pom-pom like double blooms. These cheerful flowers come in colors like yellow, orange, creamy white and deep rusty red hues.
There are three main sizes of African marigold plants:
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Dwarf varieties – These compact marigolds grow 6 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 6 to 10 inches wide. The small plants work wonderfully for edgings, containers, and small garden spaces.
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Medium varieties – Reaching 12 to 24 inches tall and 10 to 15 inches wide, medium African marigolds offer versatile size for flower beds borders and mixed plantings.
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Tall varieties – The tallest African marigolds grow 24 to 36 inches tall with a 12 to 18 inch spread. These make dramatic accents in gardens and borders.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Size
When deciding which size of African marigold is right for you, keep these key factors in mind:
Garden Space
Take into account how much room you have available when choosing marigold size. Compact varieties are great choices for small yards, borders, containers and hanging baskets. Medium sizes work well in most garden settings. Reserve the giant varieties for the back of borders or beds where they can shine.
Design Needs
Think about the visual impact you want to achieve. Low growing dwarf marigolds make great edging plants and accent annuals. Medium varieties blend nicely in mixed beds and add pops of color. Tall types make excellent backdrop plants and dramatic focal points.
Maintenance Requirements
Larger African marigold plants need a bit more care in terms of staking and deadheading spent blooms. Compact types usually require less maintenance.
Sunlight Levels
Some marigold varieties have differing light requirements. Be sure to choose a size suitable for the sunlight exposure in your garden. Most do best in full sun.
Growing Tips for African Marigolds
Once you’ve selected the ideal African marigold for your needs, follow these simple tips for successfully growing these flowering annuals:
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Plant in a spot with full sun and fertile, well-draining soil
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Space plants 10-12 inches apart to allow air circulation.
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Water at soil level to keep foliage dry and prevent disease.
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Pinch back tips to encourage bushy, compact growth.
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Stake tall varieties if needed for support in windy areas.
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Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering season.
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Watch for aphids, spider mites and slugs which may attack plants.
Unique African Marigold Varieties to Try
Many cultivars of African marigolds exist, but a few unique types stand out:
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‘Crackerjack’ – 24-36 inches tall with giant 3 to 5 inch blooms in bright yellows and oranges.
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‘Discovery Orange’ – 1 foot tall plants covered in bold, 3-inch orange flowers.
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‘Taishan Gold’ – 12 inch tall marigolds with bright yellow blooms that resist wet weather well.
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‘Discovery Yellow’ – Compact 1 foot tall plants display loads of 3-inch sunny yellow blooms.
The Perfect Size for You
African marigolds are available in a diverse range of sizes, allowing you to select just the right plant for your specific needs. Take stock of your garden conditions, and match a marigold variety that will perform well and provide the visual impact you desire. With so many sizes and flower colors, African marigolds are sure to beautify your garden beds, containers, and borders with their lively blooms.
Good performers Marigold Big Duck Orange, a 2019 Top Ten Performing Annual in the U of MN WCROC annual flower trial
Annual marigolds are evaluated as part of the U of M flower trials and research. Located at the WCROC in Morris, MN, the Horticulture Display Garden serves as an All-America Selections (AAS) Display Garden and Trail Grounds and provides the public an opportunity to view the newest superior performers.
The following annual marigold cultivars were rated good to excellent in our recent trials:
- BigTop® series
- Big Duck series
- Proud Mari series
- French Bonanza series
- All marigold types should be grown in garden beds, but Signet marigolds can be grown in containers. They require full sun all day long so keep that in mind when choosing their location.
- Marigolds can be direct seeded in the garden once soil temperatures reach 65 degrees. Larger transplants can be planted when the danger of frost is gone.
- French and Signet marigolds can be spaced fairly close together to form more of a hedge while African varieties should be spaced at least a foot apart due to their large size.
Why YOU Should Plant Marigolds. EVERYWHERE.
FAQ
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