215 · Marigold Petite

About this plant

A dwarf French marigold in the 6-to-8-inch range, mounding tidily and covering itself with small double flowers in gold, orange, and mahogany-red bicolors. A warm-season annual that handles desert heat and stays neat with occasional deadheading. Ideal for pots, border fronts, and tucking among vegetables, and pollinators visit the flowers.

Planting it at home

When to plant out

Wait until after our last frost (about mid-February) and warm soil — usually March. Until then keep the pot in a sunny, sheltered spot and bring it in on cold nights.

Where

Containers, Raised bed

Spacing

8–12"

Size

6–18"

Support

Bush / compact — little or no support

Care

Sun

Full sun (6–8 h)

Water

Moderate

Feed

A light flower fertilizer every 3–4 weeks while blooming (general guide).

Deadhead

Cut off spent flowers to keep new blooms coming.

Good to know

Caution

Petals only are edible. Do not eat leaves or stems.

Grown from

Seed — sown by FHCG volunteers

Life cycle

Annual

Heirloom or hybrid

Heirloom — saved seeds grow true

Pollinators

Moderate

Days to bloom

56-63 days from transplant

Heat (our summer)

Moderate–High

Cold

Tender (frost-sensitive)

Color

Yellow

Edible

Petals only, bitter; use sparingly as a garnish.