Tagetes tenuifolia aka Slender Leaf Marigold

Taxonomy

Tagetes tenuifolia, also known as signet marigold, golden marigold, or lemon marigold, is an annual herb that can grow up to 50 cm (20 inches) tall. It is widespread across Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Peru. The plant has deeply divided leaves that are less than 3 cm (1.2 inches) long and produces many small bright yellow flower heads in a flat-topped array. Each flower head has 5 ray florets and 7-9 disc florets. Lemon marigold is often grown for its ornamental value and its foliage, which is more aromatic than most other plants. It can be started from seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date.

Common names

Slender Leaf Marigold, Signet Marigold, Striped Mexican Marigold

How to care for Slender Leaf Marigold

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Slender Leaf Marigold is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

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

Soil

Slender Leaf 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

Slender Leaf Marigold requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Signet Marigold is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Slender Leaf Marigold to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Slender Leaf Marigold is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

The Slender Leaf Marigold does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The Slender Leaf Marigold should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Slender Leaf Marigold as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Slender Leaf Marigold’s native range is the Americas.


More info:
Wikipedia