French marigold varieties

French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are compact annuals. Clemson Cooperative Extension gives them 6 to 18 inches, with single, anemone or crested flowers in yellow, orange and mahogany red. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
16
Height
0½–3 ft (15–91 cm)
Hardiness
Grown as an annual in every zone
Form

16 French

Compare all 16 side by side

All 16 french marigold varieties

A Bonanza marigold flower up close on the plant Bonanza Compact French marigold series with double crested blooms on 6 to 10-inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall6–10 in (15–25 cm)
A Boy O Boy marigold flower up close on the plant Boy O Boy Dwarf crested French marigold mix on 8-inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall8 in (20 cm)
A Disco marigold flower up close on the plant Disco Dwarf French marigold mix with single 2-inch blooms in warm colors. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall8–10 in (20–25 cm)
A Durango marigold flower up close on the plant Durango Compact French marigold series with 2 to 2.5-inch blooms on 8 to 12-inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall8–12 in (20–30 cm)
A Harlequin marigold flower up close on the plant Harlequin Tall heirloom French marigold with single golden-orange blooms striped mahogany. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3 ft (91 cm)
A Janie marigold flower up close on the plant Janie Dwarf French marigold series with double 1 to 2-inch blooms on 8 to 10-inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall8–10 in (20–25 cm)
A Lemon Drop marigold flower up close on the plant Lemon Drop Compact French marigold with 1-inch double lemon-yellow flowers, under 12 inches tall. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall 6–12 in (15–30 cm) (estimated)
A Mr. Majestic marigold flower up close on the plant Mr. Majestic Dwarf French marigold with single blooms striped mahogany and gold. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall9–12 in (23–30 cm)
A Naughty Marietta marigold flower up close on the plant Naughty Marietta Short French marigold with single deep yellow blooms marked maroon. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall 8–12 in (20–30 cm) (estimated)
A Petite marigold flower up close on the plant Petite Dwarf French marigold mix with double gold, orange and yellow blooms. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall6–12 in (15–30 cm)
A Queen Sophia marigold flower up close on the plant Queen Sophia French marigold with fully double mahogany-red blooms edged in gold. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall10–12 in (25–30 cm)
A Red Cherry marigold flower up close on the plant Red Cherry Compact French marigold with deep red petals backed in yellow. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall6–10 in (15–25 cm)
A Safari marigold flower up close on the plant Safari Dwarf French marigold mix about a foot tall in orange, scarlet, yellow and tangerine. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall 12 in (30 cm) (estimated)
A Sparky Mix marigold flower up close on the plant Sparky Mix Open-pollinated French marigold mix, double yellow to red flowers on 10-12 inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall10–12 in (25–30 cm)
A Strawberry Blonde marigold flower up close on the plant Strawberry Blonde Dwarf French marigold with double blooms that shift from red to apricot and peach. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall8–10 in (20–25 cm)
A Super Hero marigold flower up close on the plant Super Hero Dwarf French marigold mixture with densely double 2-inch blooms on 10 to 12-inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall10–12 in (25–30 cm)

How to choose

  1. Check the Height column for edging and containers.

  2. Look at the Color column. Many French marigolds are bicolored, and we record both colors.

  3. Plan to deadhead. Clemson Cooperative Extension advises removing old flowers as they fade for continued bloom.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Bonanza French 6–10 in (15–25 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Boy O Boy French 8 in (20 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Disco French 8–10 in (20–25 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Durango French 8–12 in (20–30 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) Full sun
Harlequin French 3 ft (91 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Janie French 8–10 in (20–25 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Lemon Drop French 6–12 in (15–30 cm) (estimated) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Mr. Majestic French 9–12 in (23–30 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Naughty Marietta French 8–12 in (20–30 cm) (estimated) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Petite French 6–12 in (15–30 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Queen Sophia French 10–12 in (25–30 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Red Cherry French 6–10 in (15–25 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Safari French 12 in (30 cm) (estimated) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Sparky Mix French 10–12 in (25–30 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Strawberry Blonde French 8–10 in (20–25 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Super Hero French 10–12 in (25–30 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start French marigolds?

Clemson Cooperative Extension suggests starting seed indoors four to six weeks before planting out at 70 to 75 °F, or sowing outdoors after frost danger passes. Seed germinates in 5 to 7 days.

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