Tagetes minuta aka Wild Marigold

Taxonomy

Tagetes minuta, also known as Southern Cone Marigold, is a tall upright marigold plant with small yellow flowers, native to the southern half of South America. Since Spanish colonization, it has been introduced around the world and has become naturalized in various regions. The plant has numerous local names such as Huacatay or Wacatay in the Andes, chinchilla, chiquilla, chilca, zuico, suico, or anisillo in other regions. It is also known as muster John Henry, khakibos, stinking roger, wild marigold, and black mint. In Peru, Ecuador, and parts of Chile and Bolivia, T. minuta is used as a culinary herb and is sold in Latin grocery stores in a bottled, paste format as black mint paste. It has pinnate leaves that are divided into linear or narrowly lance-shaped, toothed, mid- to dark green leaflets, and clusters of tiny, light yellow flowers in summer. The miniature version of this plant is a warm-season annual that grows less than 12 inches tall. It works well as edgings for walkways, flower beds, borders, and window boxes and can be planted 6 to 12 inches apart in a sunny location with enriched soil. Southern Cone Marigold is a super rare houseplant that needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. This plant likes soil that is well-draining and shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Wild Marigold, Marigold, Aztec Marigold, Muster John Henry

How to care for Wild Marigold

Difficulty

Wild Marigold is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Wild Marigold should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Wild Marigold loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Wild Marigold requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Wild Marigold will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Wild Marigold to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

Humidity

The Wild Marigold is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The Wild Marigold should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Wild Marigold’s native range is the Americas.


More info:
Wikipedia