Crackerjack African Marigold Seeds

Tagetes erecta

If you want a large, majestic marigold, Crackerjack is a superior blend with a mounding form, consistent height, and sturdy flower stalks. The 4" blooms in tangerine orange, rich gold, and lemony yellow will brighten up your flower bed, path edges, and large container plantings. They make radiant, long-lasting cut flowers and are so easy to grow from seed. African Marigold petals are edible with a slightly bitter, citrusy/spice flavor. They make a pretty garnish on rice, salads, or desserts. For a dazzling contrast, plant next to blue or dark purple flowers. Be prepared for butterflies to visit!

$1.35 - $1.75 $3.49 ~0.5g (~120 seeds)
4.2
Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars
38

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Features

Family

Family

Asteraceae
Native

Native

Mexico and South America
Life Cycle

Life Cycle

Annual
Plant Height

Plant Height

Tall (Greater than 24")
Flower Color

Flower Color

Orange
Bloom Season

Bloom Season

Summer to frost

Further Information

Plant Characteristics

Plant Characteristics

  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Cut Flower
  • Edible Flower
  • Good for Containers
Growing Conditions

Growing Conditions

Drought Tolerant
Plant Resistance

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

Plant Spacing

A group of 3 seeds every 18"
Light Required

Light Required

Full sun
Plant Height

Plant Height

Tall (Greater than 24")
Planting Depth

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

4.2
Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars
Based on 38 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 25 Total 4 star reviews: 5 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 3 Total 1 star reviews: 3
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Rating
Ratings
Which best describes you as a gardener?
Which best describes you as a gardener?
38 reviews
  • Elvy N.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 3 out of 5 stars
    6/15/26
    Not the variety that I ordered

    Super disappointed to inform that the flowers that grew from these seeds look NOTHING like the ones shown in the packet. So far 3 of my plants have reached maturity and they are all those yellow one row of petals ones.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    6/17/26

    Hey Elvy,

    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 🌻️

  • Katherine H.
    Verified Reviewer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    6/4/26
    Amazing!

    Excellent and quick germination rate! Very tall with large blooms. I tried 5 marigold varieties this year and these were tied at #1 with easiest to grow (spoiler: Botanical Interests’ Signet Gem Blend was the other one!)

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Beginner
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    6/13/26

    Hey Katherine,

    What fantastic results with our Crackerjack African Marigold Seeds! We're thrilled to hear about that excellent germination rate and those tall, large blooms you're getting. It's awesome that they tied for #1 easiest to grow in your 5-variety marigold trial - that's quite the accomplishment! Your garden must be absolutely stunning with all those beautiful blooms. Thanks for sharing your Crackerjack marigold success with us! Keep on growing 🌻️

  • Rebecca B.
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    6/3/26
    Quick to sprout!

    Three days to sprout in north Texas -- wild temp extremes. Planting late so I hope they can cope with our summer

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    6/3/26

    Hey Rebecca,

    Three days to sprout in those wild north Texas temperature swings - that's incredible! Your Crackerjack African Marigold Seeds are definitely off to a strong start. These tough marigolds are known for handling heat pretty well, so we think they'll surprise you with how they cope with your summer weather. Thanks for sharing your Crackerjack marigold sprouting success with us! Keep on growing 🌻️

  • Rachel
    Verified Reviewer
    Rated 2 out of 5 stars
    4/24/26
    None 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? Intermediate
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    5/7/26

    Hey 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 🌻️

  • Robin
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    3/27/26
    Prolific 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? Intermediate
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    3/31/26

    Hey 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 🌻️

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