Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
— Plant Nursery · Texas-Grown
$3.00
Mature Plant Size: 30-36″x12-18″
Mary Helen is a tall, heirloom African marigold with huge, fully double, canary-yellow pompom blooms held on sturdy stems over feathery foliage — a late-season powerhouse that keeps setting new buds almost as fast as they’re cut.
At Flying Rabbit Farm, our Mary Helen Marigold transplants are grown for strong stem structure and heavy, long-lasting bloom suited to Austin cutting beds and borders.
1 in stock
Moderate water needs; drought tolerant once established
Avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal issues
Little to no fertilizer needed; excess nitrogen reduces flowering
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering
Pinch young plants to encourage bushiness
Spider mites in hot, dry conditions
Slugs and snails on young transplants
Generally pest-resistant once established
One of the most reliable, heat-tolerant bedding flowers for Austin summers
Widely used as a companion plant to deter nematodes and some insect pests in vegetable beds
Transplant after last frost (mid-March); blooms quickly
Peak bloom season; deadhead regularly to keep flowers coming
Continues blooming until first frost (mid-November); can also be replanted for a fresh fall display
Annual; killed by frost
Spring after last frost (mid-March) through early summer
Ideal soil temperatures: 65-85 F
Full sun
Minimum 6 hours daily
12-18 inches apart
Well-draining soil; not particular about fertility
pH 6.0-7.5
Water deeply at transplanting
Keep evenly moist until established
Marigold is mildly toxic to:
The plant sap can cause mild skin irritation (dermatitis), and ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as drooling or vomiting. Generally considered low-toxicity.
