Photo: en:User:Saranphat.chaCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Wild Marigold Plant Care
Tagetes minuta L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tagetes minuta is a tall upright marigold plant from the genus Tagetes, with small flowers, native to the southern half of South America. Since Spanish colonization, it has been introduced around the world, and has become naturalized in Europe, Asia, Australasia, North America, and Africa. Tagetes minuta has numerous local names that vary by region. In the Andes it is known as Huacatay or Wacatay, and in other regions it is common as chinchilla, chiquilla, chilca, zuico, suico, or anisillo. Other names include muster John Henry, southern marigold, khakibos, stinking roger, wild marigold, and black mint.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Wild Marigold?
Water Wild Marigold every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 3 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Wild Marigold Native To?
What Is the Wild Marigold?
Wild Marigold (Tagetes minuta) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Tagetes genus. Wild Marigold is native to the south western half of South America. Wild Marigold is also known as Mustard Cabbage, Black Jack, Kutsa.
Wild Marigold displays a bushy annual growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Wild Marigold produces bright, daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wild Marigold?
Tagetes minuta requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Wild Marigold Need?
Wild Marigold thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wild Marigold Prefer?
Tagetes minuta grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Wild Marigold prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wild Marigold?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Wild Marigold to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wild Marigold?
Feed Wild Marigold every 3 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 3 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Wild Marigold?
Annual repotting in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Wild Marigold?
Wild Marigold can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to marigold plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Wild Marigold Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wild Marigold, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Wild Marigold?
Wild Marigold is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Wild Marigold Need?
Wild Marigold grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Wild Marigold is native to the south western half of South America. In cooler regions, grow Wild Marigold as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Wild Marigold is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Tagetes genus — compare its care with other Tagetes species on PlantoScan.
Tagetes is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Wild Marigold thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Tagetes Species
Other Tagetes species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Tagetes minuta L., family Asteraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 887 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wild Marigold, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: en:User:Saranphat.cha, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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