French Marigold Striped Marvel

French Marigold Striped Marvel: variety and characteristics

French Marigold Striped Marvel (Tagetes patula) is an annual flower of the Daisy family (Asteraceae). Each petal is evenly divided by a red and a yellow stripe, creating a completely eye-catching effect.

The bushy, uniform plants produce masses of flowers, excellent for bedding and especially good for cutting, lasting well in water.

Sometimes an all-yellow bloom results from climatic stress, and saved seeds may not come true next year.

The French marigold (tagetes) is one of the easiest and hardiest summer flowers: compact, flowering without a break from June until the frosts, and repelling pests in the vegetable garden.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 81%
• Seeds per packet: 297–403 pcs (1 g)
• Seed origin: China
• Sowing: February and March; seedlings or direct
• Flowering: July – October
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow French Marigold Striped Marvel

French Marigold Striped Marvel seeds are sown in February and March. The plants flower from July to October. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow French Marigold Striped Marvel

• Sowing method: seedlings or direct
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 20–25 cm
• Germination: 5–8 days at 20–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Marigolds are among the easiest plants to grow from seed. They can be sown directly outdoors or in starter pots 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. If starting indoors, sow at a depth of 1/16 below the soil surface, in peat pots. Sowing depth: 3mm. Germination usually takes 7-21 days. Transplant or sow directly outdoors when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed. Note that marigold seeds need a little direct light to germinate properly. Do not cover more than the recommended sowing depth mentioned above.

Sow for seedlings in March–April or directly after mid-May. Undemanding about soil and tolerates drought; remove spent flowers.

Flowering and uses

Ideal for borders, balcony boxes and between vegetables as natural protection.

Frequently asked questions

When should French Marigold Striped Marvel be sown?

The recommended sowing months are February and March. Sowing method: seedlings or direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 297–403 seeds, pack size 1 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 81%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

How quickly do tagetes flower?

About 8–10 weeks after sowing; flowers continuously until the first frosts.

Is it suitable for a balcony?

Yes – the low-growing varieties are ideal for window boxes and pots in the sun.