Alaska (African)
Also known as: Tagetes erecta Alaska
What's special about Alaska (African)
Creamy-white 3 in African marigold pom-poms on 24 in plants. Rare non-orange color.
Growing this variety
Alaska (African) follows the same growing basics as Marigold. Variety-specific maturity above; everything else below applies to the whole Marigold family.
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Sow shallow in cells or direct in warm soil. Cover lightly, keep moist. Deadhead spent blooms to keep flowers coming all season.
Grower's tip
Root exudates deter nematodes — border every vegetable bed.
Soil preferences
Well-drained garden soil. Native/wildflower species prefer lean soil; cutting flowers prefer richer beds.
6.0–7.0
Work 1 in of compost into beds before sowing. Skip nitrogen fertilizer on wildflowers — it favors foliage over blooms.
Watering
1 in per week during establishment, drought-tolerant once rooted for most species.
Deep, infrequent soakings at the base. Overhead water on ornamentals promotes botrytis and rust.
Overwatered: rotted crowns, mildew, floppy stems. Underwatered: small blooms, curled leaves, quick fade.
Prefers top-watering — Top-water at the base in the morning. Overhead water batters open flowers and spreads botrytis on tightly-packed blooms.
Temperature tolerance
60–80°F (16–27°C) ideal for most annuals
50–65°F (10–18°C)
Cool-season annuals (larkspur, poppy, snapdragon) tolerate light frost; warm-season annuals (zinnia, cosmos, marigold) are frost-tender.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
8–14 in (20–35 cm) wide
Compact and dwarf types do best in pots; tall cutting flowers need staking.
Succession planting
Sow cutting flowers (zinnia, cosmos, sunflower) every 3 weeks through midsummer for continuous cut stems.
Detailed harvesting
Cut in early morning when stems are turgid. For cutting varieties, harvest when the bud is just showing color and 1–2 outer petals have opened.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Immediately re-cut stems underwater and place in clean cool water for 4 hrs before arranging. Petals can be dried on screens for potpourri or crafts.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Cut flowers, dried arrangements, pollinator habitat, edible garnishes (borage, nasturtium, calendula, viola).
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Mostly insect-pollinated (outcrossing).
For pure strains, isolate 150–800 ft or bag heads. Wildflower mixes are meant to cross freely.
Stop deadheading favorite blooms; let heads dry brown and rattling on the stem, then collect into a paper bag.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for marigold in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
My Alaska (African) Marigold notes
Alaska (African) Marigold seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
From your kitchen — grow marigold from what you already have
Deadhead less. Let the best blooms fade and set seed on the plant — that's your next year's packet.
- 1Mark 2–3 of your favorite flowers with a bit of yarn and stop deadheading them.
- 2Wait until the seed head or pod dries fully on the plant — brown, papery, and rattling.
- 3Cut whole heads into a paper bag on a dry day; shake or rub to free seed.
- 4Sieve out chaff and store cool and dry in a labeled envelope.
Storage: 2–5 years for most flower seed.
Order more seeds
Running low? Reorder from one of these seed stores.
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Other Marigold varieties
Lemon Gem (Tagetes tenuifolia)
50 daysSmall ferny 8–12 in plants smothered in tiny lemon-yellow flowers. Edible citrus-scented petals — the culinary marigold.
Whirlybird
55 daysCompact French marigold series with large 2–3 in semi-double flowers in gold, orange, and bicolor. Excellent bedder.
French Marigold Mix (T. patula)
50 daysClassic mixed-color French marigolds — the pest-repelling border staple with 2 in single and crested blooms.
Crackerjack (African)
70 daysTall 30 in African marigold with 4 in double pom-poms in gold, orange, and yellow. Great cut flower.
Red Cherry Marigold
50 daysCompact French marigold with rich cherry-red blooms.
Sparky Mix Marigold
50 daysColorful crested French marigold mix in gold, orange, and red.