Practical
Plants

Tagetes tenuifolia

Lemon Marigold

an annual member of the Tagetes genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Tagetes
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.8 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flowers of some cultivars have a pleasant citrus-like flavour and can be used sparingly as a flavouring in salads, sandwiches, wines etc or used as a garnish[3].

Product or use
Condiment

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil, effective against nematodes and to some extent against keeled slugs, they also have an effect against some persistent weeds such as couch grass[[2][5][6]. The plant also has an effect on asparagus beetle and bean weevils. These secretions are produced about 3 - 4 months after sowing. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[1].

Environment

Range
C. and S. America - Mexico to Guatemala.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[4]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[3]. The bruised foliage is perhaps more refreshingly aromatic than any other plant[7]. The lemon verbena-like smell remaining on the fingers for an hour or more after touching the plant[7]. Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[4]. Plants are prone to slugs, snails and botrytis[4]. Grows well with tomatoes[5].

References

  1. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩

  2. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

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