Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Asteraceae
Native
Mexico and South America
Life Cycle
Annual
Plant Height
Tall (Greater than 24")
Flower Color
Orange
Bloom Season
Summer to frost
Further Information
Plant Characteristics
- Attracts Butterflies
- Cut Flower
- Edible Flower
- Good for Containers
Growing Conditions
Drought Tolerant
Plant Resistance
- Deer Resistant
- Rabbit Resistant
About Crackerjack African Marigold Seeds
Tagetes erecta
4" blooms in tangerine orange, rich gold, and lemony yellow.
Planting Marigold
Plant Spacing
A group of 3 seeds every 18"
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Tall (Greater than 24")
Planting Depth
¼"
Planting Details
| Seed Depth | ¼" |
|---|---|
| Seed Spacing | A group of 3 seeds every 18" |
| Thinning | When 1" tall thin to 1 every 18" |
| Germination | 5–14 days |
| Start Indoors | RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date. |
| Direct Sow | 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 70°–80°F. |
| Growing & Harvesting | For the longest vase-life, harvest in the morning, choosing flowers that are half-open. Change vase water frequently. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 23 Total 4 star reviews: 5 Total 3 star reviews: 1 Total 2 star reviews: 3 Total 1 star reviews: 3
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
35 reviews
- RachelVerified ReviewerRated 2 out of 5 stars4/24/26None are like the packet describes
Very disappointing. I have 10 of these planted throughout the garden. All look different and none are like the packet describes. 2 are producing attractive flowers but no where near 4inch size. the rest are a bit straggly and not worth cutting. I had expected much better.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/7/26Hey Rachel,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- RobinRated 5 out of 5 stars3/27/26Prolific Grower!
I had a lot of success growing this variety. I started them indoors in seed trays, then transplanted in the garden. They grew so fast and so big! I did not read the seed packet well enough to know just how tall these would get. I planted them around my veg garden and had to cut them back so the tomato plants could get sun! Lesson learned! I used the cuttings in flower arrangements. That being said, the flower heads were large and attracted many butterflies and bees. I will definitely plant these again, just not around the veg patch.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests3/31/26Hey Robin,
What a fantastic adventure with your Crackerjack African Marigold Seeds! We love hearing about those "oops" moments that turn into great learning experiences - sounds like these beauties really lived up to their reputation for getting big and tall! It's so smart that you turned those cuttings into flower arrangements instead of just composting them. And how wonderful that they brought so many butterflies and bees to your garden - that's exactly what we love to see! Your plan to give them their own space away from the veggie patch next time sounds perfect. These marigolds definitely deserve room to show off their full glory! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Rachell C.Rated 5 out of 5 stars1/21/26Huge and Beautiful
These were the absolute best flowers I have ever grown. They are so big, stunning, and they are truly the best pest deterrent for my tomatoes. Excited to grow them again this summer!
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerBIBotanical Interests1/22/26Hey Rachell,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your amazing experience with our Crackerjack African Marigold Seeds! We're absolutely thrilled to hear they were the best flowers you've ever grown - what an incredible compliment! It's fantastic that you're experiencing both their stunning beauty and their fantastic pest-deterrent qualities for your tomatoes. We love that these big, gorgeous blooms are working double duty in your garden! We're so excited that you're planning to grow them again this summer - they're going to be just as spectacular! Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your wonderful success with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Cary R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars11/30/25Giant!!
I loved these!!! I grew them in 6 spots in my garden and I can’t believe how beautiful and different each plant was. Blooms varied from the big fluffy marigolds to single petal, bright yellow to deep orange. They were also giant - so tall! The bees loved them. I can’t wait to plant these again next year!!!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests12/1/25Hey Cary,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your amazing experience with our Crackerjack African Marigold Seeds! Your photo is incredible. They are giant for sure! We absolutely love hearing that you grew them in 6 different spots and got such beautiful variety - from those big fluffy blooms to the single petals in all those gorgeous shades from bright yellow to deep orange! And how exciting that they grew so tall and giant for you! Marigolds are such wonderful pollinator magnets, we love h hearing the bees love them too. It sounds like you created an absolutely stunning display in your garden! We can't wait for you to grow them again next year. Thanks for sharing your beautiful growing success with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- KRISTINA S.Verified BuyerRated 2 out of 5 stars10/19/256 seeds sprouted and then died
Dry disappointed
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests10/29/25Hey Kristina,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️