{"name":"Marigold","type":"flower","scientific_name":"Tagetes","family":"Asteraceae","native_name":null,"also_known_as":["African marigold","French marigold","signet marigold","cempōhualxōchitl","pericón","huacatay"],"slug":"tagetes","region":"North America","countries":[{"name":"Mexico","code":"MX","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/countries/mexico"},{"name":"Bangladesh","code":"BD","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/countries/bangladesh"},{"name":"Bolivia","code":"BO","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/countries/bolivia"},{"name":"Chile","code":"CL","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/countries/chile"},{"name":"Ecuador","code":"EC","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/countries/ecuador"},{"name":"India","code":"IN","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/countries/india"},{"name":"Peru","code":"PE","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/countries/peru"},{"name":"Ukraine","code":"UA","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/countries/ukraine"}],"cities":[{"name":"Andhra Pradesh","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/cities/andhra-pradesh-in"},{"name":"Telangana","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/cities/telangana-in"},{"name":"West Bengal","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/cities/west-bengal-in"}],"native_range":"Mexico and Latin America","national_flower_of":[],"scent":null,"kinds":["Wildflower","Garden flower","Cut flower"],"colours":["Yellow","Orange","White","Maroon and dark"],"seasons":[],"months":[],"months_apply":null,"used_for":["Weddings","Worship and offerings","Festivals","National and state emblems","Food and drink","Perfume and scent","Traditional medicine","Dye and colour","Home and everyday"],"faiths":[],"flowers_used":[],"flower_days":[{"name":"Day of the Dead","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/days/day-of-the-dead"},{"name":"Pohela Falgun","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/days/pohela-falgun"},{"name":"Diwali","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/days/diwali"}],"known_for":["national flower","edible","dye","perfume","invasive"],"tagline":"A group of bright annual and perennial flowers known worldwide as marigolds","summary":"Marigolds (Tagetes) are a group of about 50 species of flowering plants, grown for their golden, orange, yellow, or white blooms. Native to Mexico and parts of Latin America, marigolds are widely cultivated for decoration, rituals, food color, and as herbs in many countries.","key_facts":["Tagetes includes about 50 species of marigolds.","Marigolds are central to Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico.","The petals are used as a food color in the European Union.","Marigolds are widely grown for garlands in India and Bangladesh.","Some species are used as herbs and for making tea."],"sections":{"what_it_looks_like":"Marigolds in the Tagetes genus range from small plants about 10 cm tall to those reaching over 2 meters. Their leaves are usually divided and green, and the flowers appear in shades of yellow, orange, gold, white, and sometimes have maroon markings. The flower heads are made up of both ray and disc florets, and can be up to 6 cm across. Some types have a strong, musky scent, while others are bred to have little or no fragrance.","origin_and_history":"Tagetes plants were first known to the Nahua people, who called them cempōhualxōchitl. They are originally from Mexico and other parts of Latin America. The name Tagetes was chosen by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century, drawing on earlier botanical works and Etruscan myth. Over time, marigolds spread to many parts of the world, both as garden plants and as naturalized wildflowers.","bloom_and_growing":"Most marigolds are grown as annuals, though some perennial species are now popular. They grow in many soil types, but do best in well-drained ground. Marigolds are usually started from seed, and can tolerate dry conditions. Their fibrous roots help them thrive in a range of environments. Some species, like T. minuta, are even used to reclaim disturbed land.","uses":"Marigolds are used in many ways: as decorations for weddings and festivals, in garlands, and for daily rituals in South Asia. In Mexico, Tagetes erecta is central to Day of the Dead altars. The petals of some species are used as a food color in Europe and as a flavoring or herb in South America. Marigold oil is used in perfumes, and some types are brewed as herbal teas.","kinds_and_varieties":"The most familiar marigolds in gardens are African marigolds (Tagetes erecta), French marigolds (Tagetes patula), and signet marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia). T. minuta, known as huacatay, is valued as a herb in South America. T. lucida, or pericón, is used for tea and as a tarragon substitute. Many cultivars have been developed for different flower sizes, colors, and scents.","meaning_and_culture":"Marigolds are deeply woven into the traditions of several countries. In Mexico, they are a symbol of remembrance for the dead. In India and Bangladesh, they are part of wedding and festival decorations. Ukraine regards marigolds as a national symbol, appearing in songs and stories. The flower's bright color and easy growth have made it a favorite for rituals, gardens, and art."},"faq":[{"a":"Marigolds in the Tagetes genus originally come from Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Over time, they have spread to gardens and wild areas around the world.","q":"Where do marigolds come from?"},{"a":"People use marigolds for decoration at weddings and festivals, in religious rituals, as food coloring, as herbs for cooking and tea, and in perfumes. Some species are also used in traditional medicine.","q":"What are marigolds used for?"},{"a":"Marigold flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, gold, and white, sometimes with maroon highlights. The blooms can be small or several centimeters across, and the plants range from short to over two meters tall.","q":"What do marigold flowers look like?"},{"a":"Yes, marigolds are important in Mexican, Indian, Bangladeshi, and Ukrainian traditions. They are used in Day of the Dead altars, wedding and festival garlands, and are a national symbol in Ukraine.","q":"Are marigolds important in any cultures?"},{"a":"No, there are many species and varieties of Tagetes. Some are grown for their large flowers, others for their scent or use as herbs. African, French, and signet marigolds are the most common types in gardens.","q":"Are all marigolds the same?"}],"sources":[{"title":"Tagetes on Wikipedia","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagetes"},{"title":"Encyclopaedia Britannica","url":"https://www.britannica.com/plant/marigold"},{"title":"Día de Muertos: cuál es el origen y significado de la flor de cempasúchil, la reina de los altares en México","url":"https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-54756885"},{"title":"USDA Plants Database","url":"https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/TAGET"},{"title":"Plants of the World Online","url":"https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A325872-2"},{"title":"Where it has been recorded","url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/3088468"},{"title":"Sightings and photos by naturalists","url":"https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/72389"},{"title":"More photos on Wikimedia Commons","url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tagetes"},{"title":"Wikidata record","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q147552"}],"photo":{"url":"https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Aksamitn%C3%ADk_-_Czech_Republic_03_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Aksamitn%C3%ADk_-_Czech_Republic_03_%28cropped%29.jpg","author":"Pohled 111","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","source":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aksamitn%C3%ADk_-_Czech_Republic_03_(cropped).jpg"},"attribution":{"based_on":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagetes","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"},"last_refreshed":"2026-10-03T11:52:04.029Z","url":"https://phool.cleartrust.cc/f/tagetes","note":"Pages take their facts from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata, rewritten in Phool's own words with AI assistance; they may contain mistakes. Cite the url and keep the attribution. Not medical or foraging advice.","published_by":"Phool, a ClearTrust publication"}