Marigold ‘Red Gem’

Tagetes tenuifolia

Features

  • Cut-and-come-again
  • Easy to grow
  • Edible
  • Foliage & Filler
  • Fragrant
  • Heat-loving
  • Suitable for containers

Description

This vibrant miniature-flowered marigold is a must-grow for mixed bouquets. Each plant produces 15 to 20 branching stems that reach over 24 in and are loaded with dozens of penny-size brick-red blooms with glowing orange centers. The ferny foliage is wilt resistant and scented, making it a summer bouquet staple.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 18 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Marigolds can also be direct-seeded once the weather has warmed.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when flowers are about half open and strip off most of the foliage. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.

Details

Description

This vibrant miniature-flowered marigold is a must-grow for mixed bouquets. Each plant produces 15 to 20 branching stems that reach over 24 in and are loaded with dozens of penny-size brick-red blooms with glowing orange centers. The ferny foliage is wilt resistant and scented, making it a summer bouquet staple.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 18 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Marigolds can also be direct-seeded once the weather has warmed.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when flowers are about half open and strip off most of the foliage. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Seed-Saving Mini Course

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In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.