Marigold Sugar & Spice – “Tagetes patula”

Spicy-sweet pom-poms in shades of gold and burgundy!

Tagetes patula ‘Sugar and Spice’ is a dazzling French marigold mix that bursts with vibrant double blooms in warm tones of orange, gold, lemon, and rich mahogany red. Compact yet floriferous, these marigolds bloom non-stop through summer and autumn, filling borders, pots, and bouquets with cheerful colour and a spicy scent. Their long vase life and ability to dry well make them excellent for florists, while in the garden they double as hardworking pest deterrents and pollinator magnets. Tough, heat-loving, and easy — this marigold mix is pure sunshine in bloom!

🌱 How to Grow:

Sowing Time (South Africa):
Spring through midsummer (September–January).
Sow directly into beds or pots, or start in trays for transplanting.

Germination:
5–7 days at 18–25 °C.
Sow 3–5 mm deep, keep soil moist until seedlings emerge.

Transplanting:
Transplant when seedlings are 5–7 cm tall.
Space 20–25 cm apart for bushy plants and maximum blooms.

🌞 Position:
Full sun — marigolds thrive with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

🪨 Soil:
Well-draining, moderately fertile soil.
pH: Neutral to slightly acidic (6.0–7.0).
Too much fertility = more leaves, fewer flowers.

💧 Watering:
Moderate watering.
Water deeply once or twice weekly; allow topsoil to dry slightly between waterings.

🌼 Flowering Time:
Blooms 8–10 weeks after sowing.
Flowers continuously through summer into early autumn.

📏 Height & Spread:
25–35 cm tall.
20–30 cm wide.
Bushy, compact plants smothered in blooms.

🌿 Top Tips:
✔️ Deadhead regularly to encourage non-stop blooms.
✔️ Companion plant in the veg garden — helps repel pests like nematodes and aphids.
✔️ Great in pots, edging, or mass plantings for a carpet of colour.
✔️ Cut when flowers are half-open for longer vase life.
✔️ Heat- and drought-tolerant once established.

🐝 Pollinator Friendly:
Bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects love the flowers.

🔥 Why Grow ‘Sugar and Spice’?
✔️ Vibrant double blooms in fiery tones
✔️ Compact, bushy, and floriferous
✔️ Edible petals add colour to salads
✔️ Pest-deterring companion plant
✔️ Florist-friendly — great fresh or dried