# Marigold (*Tagetes erecta*) Marigolds are bright orange and yellow flowers that are fun to grow! They bloom all summer and are great for attracting pollinators. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens and outdoor spaces - **Also known as:** African Marigold, French Marigold, Tagetes ![Marigold](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424274/objects/4915.jpg) ## Appearance The Marigold has bright, cheerful daisy-like or carnation-like flowers, typically in warm shades of orange, yellow, and red. Its feathery, dark green leaves emit a distinct, pungent aroma, setting it apart from many other garden blooms. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Tagetes ## Interesting facts - Ancient Aztecs honored marigolds, using them for medicine and rituals. - Marigold petals are sometimes fed to chickens to make egg yolks brighter! - Marigolds are vital to Mexico's Día de Muertos celebrations! - The petals of many marigolds are safe to eat and tasty in salads! ## Special abilities - **Pest Shield:** Marigold roots release special chemicals that help protect nearby plants from tiny underground worms called nematodes. - **Sun Beacon:** Its vibrant orange and yellow flowers act like bright signals, attracting helpful bees and butterflies for pollination. - **Golden Colorant:** The petals contain natural pigments, allowing Marigolds to be used to safely add golden color to food or fabrics. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-90 cm - **Spread:** 15-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-10 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer to Fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Annual - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** [Monarch Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Sips nectar from vibrant flowers - **Eats:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Can sometimes munch on leaves - **Eats:** Green Peach Aphid (*Myzus persicae*) — Feeds on plant sap and leaves ## Traits - [Annual](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/annual): Annual plants complete their entire life cycle, from germination to seed production, within a single growing season. - [Herbaceous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbaceous): Herbaceous plants are non-woody plants with soft stems that typically die back to the ground at the end of the growing season. - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Marigold? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Marigold? 15-90 cm ### How wide does Marigold spread? 15-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Marigold? 1-10 cm ### When does Marigold bloom? Summer to Fall ### Is Marigold edible? Yes ### Is Marigold toxic? None ### What is Marigold's lifecycle? Annual ## Where to spot - [Optikpark Rathenow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/optikpark-rathenow) — Brandenburg, DE · Park - [Dornburger Schlossgärten](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dornburg-castle-gardens) — Thüringen, DE · Park - [Tonami Tulip Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tonami-tulip-park) — JP · Park [View all places to see Marigold](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/marigold) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Marigold: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/marigold)