Red Cherry French Marigold Seeds

Tagetes patula

French Marigold "Red Cherry"

100 Seeds 

Tagetes patula ‘Red Cherry’ (French marigold) is an annual prized for its compact habit and abundant cherry‑red to deep‑orange double blooms. Native to Mexico and Central America, this cultivar is widely grown in borders, containers, and as a low, colorful edging that blooms from late spring through frost.

Plant in full sun for best flowering and compact form; it tolerates light afternoon shade but will produce fewer blooms. Prefers well‑drained, moderately fertile soil—amend very poor soils with a little compost but avoid over‑fertilizing, which encourages foliage over flowers. Marigolds tolerate heat and dry spells once established but do not like waterlogged conditions.

Seeds germinate readily with warmth and light. Start indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost or direct‑sow after danger of frost when soil has warmed. Sow seeds on or just under a thin layer of soil and keep evenly moist; germination typically occurs in 7–14 days. No cold stratification is needed.

‘Red Cherry’ stays compact, usually 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) tall with a similar spread—space plants about 8–12 inches apart for a full display and good air circulation. As an annual it completes its life cycle in one season and will self‑sow only rarely in cooler climates.

This marigold is excellent for borders, mass plantings, and containers, and its long season of bloom makes it useful for casual, short‑term cut flowers. It attracts pollinators and many beneficial insects and is commonly used as a companion plant to help deter certain pests in vegetable beds.