Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Goku122 assumed (based on copyright claims).CC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Signet Marigold Plant Care
Tagetes tenuifolia Kunth
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tagetes tenuifolia, the signet marigold, golden marigold or lemon marigold, is a species of the wild marigold in the family Asteraceae. It is widespread across most of Mexico as well as Central America, Colombia, and Peru.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Signet Marigold?
Water Signet 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.
What Is the Signet Marigold?
Signet Marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Tagetes genus. Signet Marigold is native to Mexico, Guatemala. Signet Marigold is also known as Lemon marigold, Mint marigold, Tagetes jaliscensis.
Signet Marigold displays a bushy annual growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Signet Marigold produces bright, daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Signet Marigold?
Tagetes tenuifolia 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 Signet Marigold Need?
Signet Marigold thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Signet Marigold Prefer?
Tagetes tenuifolia grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Signet Marigold prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Signet Marigold?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Signet Marigold to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Signet Marigold?
Feed Signet 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 Signet 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 Signet Marigold?
Signet Marigold can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to marigold plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Signet Marigold Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Signet 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 Signet Marigold?
Signet 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 Signet Marigold Need?
Signet Marigold grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Signet Marigold is native to Mexico, Guatemala. In cooler regions, grow Signet Marigold as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Signet 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.
Signet Marigold thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Tagetes tenuifolia Kunth, family Asteraceae (first published in Nov. Gen. Sp. [H.B.K.] 4(16): 153 (ed. fol.). 1818 [1820 publ. 26 Oct 1818] ; later publ. 4(16): 196 (ed. qto.). 1820. [31 Jul 1820]) — World Flora Online record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Signet 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: No machine-readable author provided. Goku122 assumed (based on copyright claims)., 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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