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Marigold French Bonita Mix

Tagetes patula 'Bonita Mix'

These compact French marigolds are garden workhorses, producing masses of 2-inch ruffled blooms in warm shades of yellow, orange, and red-bronze throughout the growing season. Beyond their cheerful appearance, they're prized by organic gardeners for their natural pest-repelling properties, helping to deter nematodes, aphids, and other unwanted insects. Their neat 8-10 inch height makes them perfect for borders, containers, and companion planting with vegetables.

Harvest

50-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-12 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Marigold French Bonita Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Marigold French Bonita Mix · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Very Easy

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates poor soils

pH6.0-7.5

WaterModerate, avoid overwatering

SeasonWarm season

FlavorPetals have citrusy, slightly bitter flavor

ColorYellow, orange, red-bronze, and bicolored combinations

Size2 inch diameter blooms

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Bloom time: 'Alumia vanilla cream' 'Aurora orange' 'Bolero' 'Bonanza deep orange' 'Bonita mixed' 'Brocade Mix' 'Golden Boy' 'Ground Control' 'Janie Deep Orange'Good resistance to abiotic disorder. 'Janie Spry'Good resistance to abiotic disorder., 'Alumia vanilla cream', 'Aurora orange', 'Bolero', 'Bonanza deep orange', 'Bonita mixed', 'Brocade Mix', 'Golden Boy', 'Ground Control', 'Janie Deep Orange', 'Janie Spry'

Edibility: Flowers are used to make refreshing drinks and the leaves are used for flavoring.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh marigold flowers keep best stored loosely in plastic bags in the refrigerator, lasting 3-5 days. For longer storage, gently separate petals from flower heads and store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to one week.

To dry marigold petals for year-round use, spread them on screens in a warm, dry area away from direct sunlight. Properly dried petals will be papery and retain good color. Store dried petals in airtight jars for up to one year—they make an excellent saffron substitute for coloring rice and other dishes.

You can also freeze whole flowers in ice cube trays with water for decorative drink garnishes, or preserve petals in vinegar for 2-3 weeks to create a colorful, mildly flavored cooking vinegar. Oil infusions work well too—cover fresh petals with olive oil and let steep for several weeks, then strain.

History & Origin

Origin: Mexico, Guatamala

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies
+Wildlife value: Deer Resistant
+Edible: Flowers are used to make refreshing drinks and the leaves are used for flavoring.
+Low maintenance

Considerations

-Toxic (Flowers, Leaves, Roots): Low severity
-Causes contact dermatitis

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Marigolds repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies that commonly attack tomatoes

Basil

Both plants repel similar pests and basil benefits from marigold's pest-deterrent properties

Peppers

Marigolds deter aphids, spider mites, and other pests that damage pepper plants

Cucumbers

Marigolds repel cucumber beetles and other harmful insects

Carrots

Marigolds help repel carrot flies and other root pests

Lettuce

Marigolds deter aphids and provide light shade for cool-season lettuce

Zinnias

Both attract beneficial pollinators and have similar growing requirements

Nasturtiums

Both serve as trap crops for aphids and attract beneficial insects

Keep Apart

Beans

Marigolds can inhibit bean growth through root secretions and allelopathic compounds

Cabbage Family Plants

French marigolds may stunt growth of brassicas like cabbage, broccoli, and kale

Fennel

Strong allelopathic properties inhibit marigold growth and most other garden plants

Nutrition Facts

Calories

15kcal(1%)

Protein

1.03g(2%)

Carbs

3.28g(1%)

Fat

0.07g(0%)

Vitamin C

28mg(31%)

Vitamin A

97mcg(11%)

Iron

0.7mg(4%)

Calcium

39mg(3%)

Potassium

173mg(4%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169270)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to most diseases

Common Pests

Spider mites, aphids (though they repel many other pests)

Diseases

Root rot from overwatering, gray mold in humid conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does French Bonita Mix marigold take to bloom?▼

French Bonita Mix marigolds typically begin flowering 50-60 days from seed. If you start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost, you'll have blooming plants ready to transplant outside. Direct-sown seeds will bloom about 8-10 weeks after planting, depending on soil temperature and growing conditions.

Can you grow French Bonita Mix marigolds in containers?▼

Yes, French Bonita Mix marigolds are excellent for containers due to their compact 8-10 inch height and mounding growth habit. Use well-draining potting mix and ensure containers have drainage holes. Space plants 6 inches apart in larger containers, or plant one per 6-inch pot. Container plants may need more frequent watering but less fertilizer than garden plants.

Do French Bonita Mix marigolds really repel pests?▼

Yes, French Bonita Mix marigolds effectively repel many garden pests including nematodes, aphids, whiteflies, and some beetle species through natural compounds in their roots and foliage. Plant them near tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables for natural pest control. However, they may attract spider mites in hot, dry conditions.

What do French Bonita Mix marigold flowers taste like?▼

The petals have a citrusy, slightly bitter flavor with hints of tarragon and a subtle spicy finish. The taste is more mild than the strong scent suggests. Remove the white base of petals before eating, as this part can be quite bitter. Use sparingly as a saffron substitute or colorful salad garnish.

When should I plant French Bonita Mix marigolds?▼

Plant French Bonita Mix marigolds after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 60°F. In most areas, this means late April to mid-May. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. In zones 9-11, you can also plant in fall for winter and spring blooms.

Are French Bonita Mix marigolds good for beginning gardeners?▼

Absolutely! French Bonita Mix marigolds are among the easiest flowers for beginners. They tolerate poor soil, drought, and heat while requiring minimal care. The main mistake beginners make is overwatering—these plants prefer slightly dry conditions. They're very forgiving and provide quick, colorful results that build gardening confidence.