Botanical profile

Tagetes paprika

Latin name
Tagetes patula 'Paprika'
Common name
Tagetes paprika
Type
Edible and useful annual
Family
Asteraceae

Paprika marigold is a very decorative annual aromatic plant, appreciated for its finely cut foliage and its warm-toned flowers of yellow, orange, coppery red, or paprika, depending on the variety. It brings a vibrant and sunny touch to vegetable gardens, herb gardens, edible containers, flower borders, and patio pots. Its herbaceous and slightly spicy scent also adds sensory interest to the garden, while creating a beautiful natural effect in edible landscapes.

Easy to grow, paprika marigold prefers a full sun, warm, and well-drained location. It grows well in pots and in the ground and requires little maintenance when it receives enough light. Regular watering promotes beautiful flowering, but excess water should be avoided. Removing faded flowers or lightly pruning the plant helps to prolong flowering and maintain a denser, more branched habit.

Both colorful, fragrant, and useful in the garden, paprika marigold attracts pollinators and can be integrated near vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. Its flowers can be used sparingly to decorate salads, summer dishes, desserts, or cool drinks, adding a colorful and original touch. It is an excellent annual for gardeners looking for an easy, bright, edible plant perfect for enriching a decorative vegetable garden or an edible garden.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Spicy orange-red blossoms and edible decorative flowers
Kitchen garden, edible border, container, balcony, edible flowers, pollinator garden
Container growing
Excellent in a pot in well-drained soil
Seasonal care
Remove faded flowers to prolong blooming; harvest petals as needed; protect from cold and pull up after frost
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Non-hardy – grown as an annual in Quebec (zones 10+ only as a perennial)
Exposure
Full sun
Watering
Moderate
Humidity
Low to average moisture; prefers well-drained soil
Fertilization
Light compost for sowing; moderate fertilization in pots
Soil type
Light, fertile, rather dry and well-drained soil
Soil pH
Neutral to slightly alkaline
Minimum temperature
32 °F
Propagation method
Direct sowing or cuttings
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer to Fall
Flower color
Red-orange to paprika orange
Fruiting
Late-season seeds
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Obsolete
Shape
Compact, bushy and branched habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
25 to 45 cm (10 to 18 in)
Width
25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Tomatoes, basil, peppers, marigolds
Plants to avoid
None known
Spacing
25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches)
Harvest period
June to September
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Butterflies
Plants that attract butterflies

Butterflies

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.