Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Asteraceae
Native
Mexico
Life Cycle
Annual
Plant Height
Short (Under 12")
Flower Color
Yellow
Bloom Season
Summer to frost
Further Information
Plant Characteristics
- Cut Flower
- Edible Flower
- Good for Containers
Growing Conditions
Drought Tolerant
Plant Resistance
- Deer Resistant
- Rabbit Resistant
About Lemon Drop French Marigold Seeds
Tagetes patula
1" lemon-yellow, double flowers.
Planting Marigold
Plant Spacing
A group of of 3 seeds every 6"
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Short (Under 12")
Planting Depth
¼"
Planting Details
| Seed Depth | ¼" |
|---|---|
| Seed Spacing | A group of of 3 seeds every 6" |
| Thinning | When 1" tall thin to 1 every 6" |
| 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. |
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: 2 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 1
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
26 reviews
- Margaret V.CA, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars5/30/26I’m using it like another type of alyssum
I planted this in a quart bowl from my dishes, putting potting soil, 5 seeds, and some water on the sunny window sill. It was so cute. But later, I put it in a container that had survived the winter but the petunias grew leggy—to hide the dead 14th branches. Worked great. Then I took one of the plants (5 seeds made 5 plants, but I left them together to give more foliage), and put it in a 6 inch pot that had just 1 pink poker statice plant I had grown from seed in it. The statice foliage always dies out or has trouble. The marigold covered up the dead-looking statice foliage. I’m going to use this like alyssum, as a fast growing filler that covers a multitude of sins. It’s really really cute, too.```
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised BedBIBotanical Interests6/3/26Hey Margaret,
What a creative and resourceful approach to gardening! I love how you've discovered the perfect way to use these Lemon Drop French Marigolds as a "filler with benefits" - that's such a smart gardening hack!
It sounds like you've really figured out their versatility, from that adorable quart bowl start on your windowsill to using them strategically to cover up those less-than-perfect spots in your containers. Five plants from five seeds is fantastic germination, and keeping them together for that fuller foliage effect was a brilliant move.
Your comparison to alyssum is spot-on - these marigolds really do make excellent fast-growing fillers that can transform a tired-looking container into something beautiful again. Plus, you get those lovely bright blooms as a bonus!
Thank you for sharing your innovative gardening solutions and for that wonderful 5-star rating! Your "covering a multitude of sins" approach is going to inspire so many fellow gardeners. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Margaret C. R.WY, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/26/26Growing Great!
I sowed these seeds in two of Epic's 6-cell seed starting trays on 3/17. Germination rate was so good that on 4/6 I pricked out extra seedlings and I now have 4 dozen plants in 6-cell trays. Most of them have flower buds now (4/26) some of which should open within a week. Since I live in Zone 5b it will be at least 4 weeks until I can plant these outside. So far, I couldn't be happier with how well these are performing. The seedlings are sturdy and healthy. I'm looking forward to their cheery yellow flowers!
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? In GroundBIBotanical Interests5/8/26Hey Margaret,
We love that you got such fantastic germination with our Lemon Drop French Marigold Seeds that you ended up with four dozen healthy plants - that's amazing! It sounds like you're going to have the most beautiful display of cheery yellow marigolds. Thanks for sharing your fantastic growing success with us! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Lethea B.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/25/26Cheerful little flowers and easy to grow
I really love these Lemon Drop marigolds and find the cheerful little flowers are very easy to grow and care for. I appreciate a flower so pretty can help reduce nematodes in my garden, it’s a win-win for me!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/3/26Hey Lethea,
We love to hear you're loving your Lemon Drop French Marigolds! Those cheerful little blooms really do bring such joy to the garden with their bright, sunny faces. It's such a wonderful bonus that something so beautiful is also working hard behind the scenes to help protect your garden from nematodes! Nature really gave us the perfect win-win with marigolds. We love that you're getting to enjoy both the gorgeous flowers and the natural pest control benefits. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with these fantastic little workhorses! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Janie S.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/21/26Marigolds
Plant around tomatoes
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/3/26Hey Janie,
Thank you so much for the 5-star review! You're absolutely right - marigolds are fantastic companion plants for tomatoes! Those Lemon Drop French Marigolds will help deter pests while adding beautiful bright yellow blooms to your garden. Your tomatoes are going to love having such helpful neighbors. Keep on growing 🌻
- LouAnnRated 5 out of 5 stars4/18/265 Stars
Love, love, love these seeds! I’ve been buying them for years and have great results.