African marigold varieties

African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are the larger marigolds. Clemson Cooperative Extension describes plants up to 36 inches with large double flowers from midsummer to frost. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
15
Height
0½–4 ft (20–122 cm)
Hardiness
Grown as an annual in every zone
Form

15 African

Compare all 15 side by side

All 15 african marigold varieties

A Antigua marigold flower up close on the plant Antigua Compact F1 African marigold with 3-inch double blooms in yellow, gold and orange. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall10–16 in (25–41 cm)
A Cempasúchil marigold flower up close on the plant Cempasúchil Tall Mexican marigold with large deep orange to yellow blooms. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) (estimated)
A Climax marigold flower up close on the plant Climax Tall Burpee African marigold with 4 to 5 inch double blooms in yellow and orange. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3 ft (91 cm)
A Crackerjack marigold flower up close on the plant Crackerjack Tall African marigold mix with 4-inch double blooms in orange, gold and yellow. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2–3 ft (61–91 cm)
A Discovery marigold flower up close on the plant Discovery Dwarf African marigold with 2 to 3 inch double orange and yellow blooms. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall8–10 in (20–25 cm)
A Eskimo marigold flower up close on the plant Eskimo Compact white African marigold with fully double creamy white flowers, 12 to 18 inches. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall12–18 in (30–46 cm)
A French Vanilla marigold flower up close on the plant French Vanilla White African marigold with rounded 3-inch flowers that age from vanilla white to yellow. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall 12–16 in (30–41 cm) (estimated)
A Inca II marigold flower up close on the plant Inca II Compact F1 African marigold with 4 to 5 inch double blooms in yellow, gold and orange. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall12–14 in (30–36 cm)
A Kilimanjaro White marigold flower up close on the plant Kilimanjaro White White African marigold with 3-inch fully double creamy white blooms. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall1½–2 ft (46–61 cm)
Lady Upright African marigold with fully double bright yellow blooms. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall 1½–2½ ft (46–76 cm) (estimated)
A Perfection marigold flower up close on the plant Perfection Mid-height F1 African marigold with 3.5-inch rounded yellow or orange blooms. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall14–16 in (36–41 cm)
A Sugar & Spice White marigold flower up close on the plant Sugar & Spice White African marigold with 3-inch cream blooms fading to white with pink flecks. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½ ft (76 cm)
A Taishan marigold flower up close on the plant Taishan Dwarf African marigold with 3 to 4 inch blooms in yellow, gold and orange. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall10–12 in (25–30 cm)
A Vanilla marigold flower up close on the plant Vanilla F1 African marigold with fully double creamy white blooms on 16-inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall16 in (41 cm)
A White Swan marigold flower up close on the plant White Swan Tall cut-flower African marigold with cream to pale yellow double blooms. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½–3 ft (71–91 cm)

How to choose

  1. Compare the Height column. Tall plants suit the back of a bed and cutting; shorter series suit pots.

  2. Check Days to bloom. Clemson Cooperative Extension puts their flowering from midsummer, later than French marigolds.

  3. Plan for sun. Clemson Cooperative Extension calls for full sun, 6 or more hours a day.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Antigua African 10–16 in (25–41 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Cempasúchil African 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) (estimated) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Climax African 3 ft (91 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Crackerjack African 2–3 ft (61–91 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Discovery African 8–10 in (20–25 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Eskimo African 12–18 in (30–46 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
French Vanilla African 12–16 in (30–41 cm) (estimated) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Inca II African 12–14 in (30–36 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Kilimanjaro White African 1½–2 ft (46–61 cm) 3–10 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Lady African 1½–2½ ft (46–76 cm) (estimated) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Perfection African 14–16 in (36–41 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Sugar & Spice White African 2½ ft (76 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Taishan African 10–12 in (25–30 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Vanilla African 16 in (41 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
White Swan African 2½–3 ft (71–91 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

Do African marigolds come in white?

Clemson Cooperative Extension lists a creamy-white African marigold, so pale shades exist within this group. Use the Color filter to find them.

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