Crackerjack African Marigold Organic Seeds (Tagetes erecta) Tall plants with huge blooms in gold and orange. Great for beds, borders, and pest control

Minimum: 100+ Seeds

Massive Gold and Orange Blooms • Organic Heirloom • Pest-Repelling Powerhouse

Bring bold, sunlit energy to your garden with Crackerjack African Marigold, a tall heirloom favorite known for its huge, carnation-like blooms in dazzling shades of gold and orange. These plants are natural garden defenders, long used in traditional companion planting to repel nematodes, aphids, whiteflies, and other destructive pests—making them both beautiful and functional.

As a certified organic, non-GMO seed, Crackerjack Marigold offers a vibrant, chemical-free option for home gardeners, pollinator enthusiasts, and market growers. This cultivar is a standout for its heat tolerance, drought resistance, and sheer visual impact—reaching heights of up to 3 feet with blooms the size of softballs.

Whether you're creating a pollinator paradise, establishing a vegetable-friendly perimeter, or crafting dramatic floral displays, Crackerjack delivers with consistent performance and color.

🌿 Why Grow Crackerjack African Marigolds?

• 🌞 Huge, Double Blooms
  Oversized flowers with ruffled petals light up the garden from summer through frost.

• 🦟 Natural Pest Control
  Traditionally planted with tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans to deter nematodes and insects.

• 🐝 Pollinator Magnet
  Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects throughout the growing season.

• 🌱 Organic & Non-GMO
  Grown without synthetic chemicals—ideal for edible gardens and eco-conscious growers.

• 💧 Heat & Drought Tolerant
  Thrives in full sun and dry conditions, perfect for low-maintenance landscapes.

• 🧑🌾 Versatile in the Garden
  Works well as a backdrop, border plant, or in mass plantings for color impact.

🌸 How to Grow Crackerjack Marigolds

• Botanical Name: Tagetes erecta

• Plant Type: Annual

• Days to Germination: 5–10 days

• Days to Maturity: 70–90 days

• Sunlight: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, average to fertile soil

• Seed Depth: ¼ inch

• Spacing: 12–18 inches

• Height at Maturity: 24–36 inches

• Bloom Time: Summer through frost

• USDA Zones: Grows as an annual in all zones

For best results, start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost or direct sow after danger of frost has passed. Deadhead regularly to extend bloom time and promote continuous flowering.

🛠️ Growing Tips

• Marigolds are low-maintenance, but appreciate a boost of compost at planting.

• Avoid overwatering—marigolds prefer slightly dry conditions once established.

• Great for children’s gardens due to fast growth and colorful results.

• Can be used as a trap crop to protect sensitive vegetables.

• Allow a few plants to go to seed at the end of the season for free volunteers next year.

🌎 Perfect For:

• 🐝 Pollinator Gardens – Constant nectar source for bees and butterflies

• 🥕 Vegetable Beds – Natural pest control and attractive companion

• 🧑🎨 Cut Flower Gardens – Long-lasting in bouquets and arrangements

• 🧺 Market Growers – Bright, eye-catching blooms that attract customers

• 🏡 Front Yards and Cottage Gardens – Dramatic color and vintage charm

🌱 Fun Fact:

Despite the name "African marigold," Tagetes erecta is native to Mexico and Central America. The “African” title refers to its global popularity and export history—not its origin. Crackerjack is one of the most recognizable and reliable cultivars in American seed catalogs since the early 20th century.

🔒 Your Garden Deserves Organic Quality

At Terra Mater Gardens, we source only high-quality, open-pollinated, organic seeds selected for flavor, beauty, and resilience. Our Crackerjack Marigold seeds are untreated, open-pollinated, and tested for high germination—so you can grow with confidence.