I remember years ago that marigolds were very smelly. I happen to like their smell, but most varieties I've see at nurseries don't have much. I think it's been bred out of them, but I'm looking for a variety that has the old fashioned strong marigold scent. Are there any left?

I have found and ordered some older varieties of marigolds to plant this year. My experience with this company has been very reliable over the years. https://www.selectseeds.com/Search/marigolds.aspx

You should look at growing Peruvian Black Mint/Huacatay (Tagetes minuta). It is related to marigolds and smells very strongly. Grows to 6'+ though.

I have read it as french marigolds that are stronger smelling. And the ones usually grown here in the US are not effective as companion crops to deter pests. Read it, many times, but I'm no flower guy.

Toomanymatoes wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 7:50 pm You should look at growing Peruvian Black Mint/Huacatay (Tagetes minuta). It is related to marigolds and smells very strongly. Grows to 6'+ though.

That is one I am growing for the first time this season, for the leaves - Huacatay. I have read that it smells strongly, both the leaves and flowers. I might plant them in various places, to attract pollinators. The flowers are small - not like large marigolds - but I'm after the leaves, mostly.

pepperhead212 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:41 am

Toomanymatoes wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 7:50 pm You should look at growing Peruvian Black Mint/Huacatay (Tagetes minuta). It is related to marigolds and smells very strongly. Grows to 6'+ though.

That is one I am growing for the first time this season, for the leaves - Huacatay. I have read that it smells strongly, both the leaves and flowers. I might plant them in various places, to attract pollinators. The flowers are small - not like large marigolds - but I'm after the leaves, mostly.

Yes, I grew it last season. Plant grew quite massive and smelled very strongly! It did not flower until late in the season (Zone 6 here). I never managed to collect seeds as the frost got to it before it fully developed.

Good to know, @Toomanytomatoes; I was wondering about how late it might flower, as one site listed it at 120 days (most said nothing), which is what habaneros all used to be! Maybe a "bloom" fertilizer would help trigger it sooner? I rarely use them, but it's worth a shot.

I had some once that actually smelled like skunks

I had skunks living underneath my house for a few years, and they did pass a little gas from time to time...but it never smelled like marigolds.

Has anyone grown Kee's African Orange marigold? It's been described as very aromatic, but I'm not sure if that's not just website hyperbole.

Something to know is that "signet" and "gem" marigolds are Tagetes tenuifolia which means they are edible and have a mild citrus odor. Sweet Mace/Mexican Tarragon are Tagetes lucida and have an anise/licorice smell but mine were not that strong unless the leaves were crushed. Wry grin these are part of my pretty but practical plants.

wykvlvr wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 10:03 am Something to know is that "signet" and "gem" marigolds are Tagetes tenuifolia which means they are edible and have a mild citrus odor. Sweet Mace/Mexican Tarragon are Tagetes lucida and have an anise/licorice smell but mine were not that strong unless the leaves were crushed. Wry grin these are part of my pretty but practical plants.

I got Orange Gem seeds as a gift in a seed order. Plan on growing them out this year. Curious about the citrus smell/taste

I've grown Lemon, Orange and Red Gem marigolds. They all have a strong, citrus smell. Lemon reminds me of a lemon flavoured throat lozenge, while the Orange is more like tangerine. I've been a few fancy restaurants that use the flowers. I love them because they're relatively compact and flower forever. Great for attracting hoverflies and parasitic wasps, too.