Heirloom

Tangerine Gem

Tagetes tenuifolia

Photo: Neelix at English Wikipedia · Wikimedia Commons · (Public domain)

Hundreds of petite flowers cover neat, low mounds of lacy foliage with a citrusy scent. Long-blooming for beds, borders and containers where it attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, hoverflies, butterflies, predatory bugs, and parasitic wasps. Leaves of the plant are edible and are used as flavorful salad greens and garnish. Also known as signet marigold.Edible Flowers: Use the flowers to dress up salads and desserts or cooked in egg or rice dishes. Flavor is floral with hints of citrus and spice, and slightly bitter. Remove the petals from the flower base before consuming as the base can be quite bitter.

Harvest

60d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

8-30 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 Tangerine Gem in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Tangerine Gem · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorFloral with hints of citrus and spice, slightly bitter; edible petals and lacy foliage.

ColorGolden orange and red

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	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow once soil hits 60°F — in zone 7, that window runs roughly April through early June. A second small sowing 3–4 weeks after the first smooths out the bloom flush and extends the pest-deterrent effect through the full tomato season. Tangerine Gem keeps flowering until hard frost without deadheading becoming a chore, so two rounds is enough for most gardens.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 9 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Tangerine Gem reaches harvest at 60 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Tufted seeds

Color: Black. Type: Achene.

Harvest time: Fall

Edibility: The flowers of some cultivars have a pleasant citrus-like flavour and can be used sparingly as a flavouring or as a garnish.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh flowers and leaves are best stored in the refrigerator at 35-40°F with high humidity (place in a damp paper towel within a sealed container). They will last 3-5 days when refrigerated. For preservation, dry the petals and leaves by hanging upside down in a well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks, then store in airtight containers away from light. Alternatively, freeze petals in ice cubes with water for later use in beverages or desserts, or infuse the flowers into honey or vinegar for extended shelf life of 6+ months.

History & Origin

Tangerine Gem is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Mexico, Central America, Columbia, Peru

Advantages

+Produces hundreds of petite flowers on compact, low-growing mounds
+Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps
+Both flowers and edible leaves offer culinary and garnish uses
+Long blooming period provides continuous color in beds and containers
+Lacy foliage and citrusy scent add ornamental and sensory appeal

Considerations

-Slightly bitter base of flowers requires careful petal removal before eating
-Petite flowers may get lost visually in large garden spaces
-Edible leaves have somewhat bitter flavor that not everyone enjoys

Companion Plants

Tangerine Gem's limonene-heavy foliage genuinely disrupts the host-finding behavior of aphids and whiteflies — both of which hit tomatoes and peppers hard — so planting it 12–18 inches off those crops does real work, not just decorative work. Basil shares that pest-confusing role without competing for root depth, making the two a practical pairing. Nasturtiums nearby act as a draw crop, pulling aphid colonies onto themselves and off everything else. Beans are worth keeping separate: documented growth suppression occurs near Tagetes species, and fennel compounds the problem since it's allelopathic to most plants regardless of companion.

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Marigolds repel nematodes and whiteflies that commonly attack tomatoes

Peppers

Protection from aphids and spider mites while sharing similar growing conditions

Basil

Mutual pest deterrence against thrips and aphids, complementary growth habits

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, similar sun requirements

Zinnias

Attract beneficial predatory insects and create pollinator-friendly garden zones

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs with similar care needs

Lettuce

Marigolds provide natural pest control while lettuce offers ground cover

Cucumbers

Protection from cucumber beetles and aphids through natural pest deterrence

Keep Apart

Beans

Marigolds can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions

Cabbage

Allelopathic compounds may stunt brassica growth and development

Fennel

Strong allelopathic effects inhibit marigold germination and growth

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, aphids, whiteflies

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot in poorly drained soil

Troubleshooting Tangerine Gem

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Fine webbing on leaf undersides with stippled, bronze-looking foliage, especially in hot dry stretches

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode when temps stay above 85°F and humidity drops
Dusty conditions, which mites prefer

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water every 2-3 days — mites hate moisture and it physically removes them
2.If infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the evening so it doesn't burn foliage in full sun
3.Don't let the plants go drought-stressed; mite pressure is worse on plants already struggling

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually showing up in late summer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew — a fungal complex (often Erysiphe or Golovinomyces spp.) that spreads via airborne spores and thrives when days are warm and nights dip below 65°F
Crowded spacing that cuts airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 12 inches apart from the start — crowding is the main setup for this problem
2.Remove badly affected stems and dispose of them in the trash, not the compost pile
3.A baking soda spray (1 tablespoon per gallon of water with a drop of dish soap) can slow spread on plants you want to keep going into fall

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Tangerine Gem take to flower?▼

Tangerine Gem typically blooms within 60 days from planting. However, if started from seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, you'll see flowers even sooner after transplanting outdoors. The plant is a prolific, long-blooming variety that continues flowering throughout the growing season until frost.

Can you grow Tangerine Gem in containers?▼

Yes, Tangerine Gem is excellent for containers. Its compact, mounding habit and petite flowers make it ideal for pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes. The low-growing foliage reaches only 12-18 inches tall, making it perfect for small spaces, patios, and balconies where it will attract beneficial insects.

Is Tangerine Gem good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. Tangerine Gem is rated as easy to grow and is perfect for beginners. It requires full sun (6+ hours daily) and well-drained soil but is otherwise low-maintenance. With minimal care, it produces hundreds of flowers and attracts pollinators naturally, making gardening rewarding for new growers.

What does Tangerine Gem taste like?▼

The edible flowers and leaves have a floral flavor with hints of citrus and spice, with a slightly bitter finish. The petals are mild and pleasant, while the flower base is quite bitter and should be removed before eating. Leaves work well as citrusy salad greens and garnishes.

When should I plant Tangerine Gem seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, or direct sow outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Tangerine Gem prefers warm conditions. Space seedlings 12-18 inches apart and ensure they receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering.

What insects does Tangerine Gem attract?▼

Tangerine Gem is highly attractive to beneficial insects including ladybugs, hoverflies, butterflies, predatory bugs, and parasitic wasps. These pollinators not only help the plant thrive but also benefit your entire garden by controlling pests and pollinating other plants naturally.