Tagetes erecta (Asteraceae)

Marigold (Tagetes erecta), a member of the Asteraceae family, is an annual herbaceous plant widely cultivated for ornamental purposes due to its large, showy flower heads with bright yellow to orange coloration. Native to Central America, it is now grown worldwide thanks to its robust growth habit, extended flowering period, and high adaptability to different environmental conditions.

The term “Marigold” is ambiguous and can refer to two different plants, depending on the context.

• Marigold (common English usage) → Tagetes erecta (family Asteraceae), also called African or Aztec marigold, used mainly as an ornamental plant and for natural colorants.

• Pot marigold (herbal/traditional usage) → Calendula officinalis (family Asteraceae), known as calendula, used in herbal medicine, cosmetics, and food.

In summary

• Marigold, without qualifiers, generally refers to Tagetes erecta.

• Calendula officinalis is more correctly called pot marigold.

In cosmetic INCI, there is no ambiguity: Tagetes erecta and Calendula officinalis are always listed by their botanical names.

From a morphological perspective, Tagetes erecta is characterized by:
– an upright growth habit, with sturdy, branched stems reaching approximately 30–110 cm in height;
– pinnate, deeply divided leaves, dark green in color, emitting a strong and distinctive aroma;
– large capitulum-type inflorescences, globular to semi-globular, composed of ligulate and tubular florets;
– a fibrous root system, associated with the release of compounds showing repellent activity against certain soil organisms.

The characteristic aroma of marigold is linked to the presence of essential oils, mainly composed of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes such as linalool, limonene, ocimene, tagetone, and β-caryophyllene, along with sulfur-containing thiophenes, which are typical of the Tagetes genus.

From a phytochemical standpoint, Tagetes erecta contains:
– carotenoids, especially lutein and xanthophyll esters, responsible for the intense pigmentation of the flowers;
– flavonoids and phenolic compounds with antioxidant potential;
– essential oils with variable biological activity;
– thiophenes, known for their repellent properties against insects and nematodes.

In agricultural contexts, marigold is valued not only as an ornamental plant but also as a support crop, due to its contribution to soil pest management. It performs best in full sun, prefers well-drained soils, and shows good tolerance to high temperatures.

In terms of applications, Tagetes erecta is used in:
– ornamental horticulture and landscaping, for flower beds, borders, and seasonal displays;
– natural pigment production, particularly lutein for food and feed applications;
– sustainable agriculture, as a natural aid in pest control strategies;
– limited traditional uses, mainly in local culinary or ethnobotanical practices.

The combination of ornamental appeal, cultivation resilience, and phytochemical relevance makes marigold one of the most widely cultivated and studied annual flowering species.

Botanical classification (APG IV system)

Indicative nutritional values per 100 g (fresh aerial parts of Tagetes erecta)

Average values referring to fresh leaves and young aerial parts. The plant is mainly used as an ornamental, aromatic, or functional ingredient; food use is limited and typically involves quantities far below 100 g.

Nutritional use note

At typical usage portions (approximately 1–3 g of fresh leaves or petals, when used as an aroma, garnish, or natural coloring agent), the caloric intake is negligible.
The nutritional relevance of Tagetes erecta is qualitative rather than quantitative, mainly associated with carotenoids (especially lutein), bioactive compounds, and dietary fiber, rather than macronutrients or energy contribution.

Lipid profile note

Tagetes erecta has a very low fat content.

• SFA (Saturated Fatty Acids) are present in small amounts; high dietary prevalence of SFA is generally considered less favorable for cardiovascular balance.

• MUFA (MonoUnsaturated Fatty Acids) and PUFA (PolyUnsaturated Fatty Acids) occur only in trace quantities and do not significantly affect daily lipid intake.

From a nutritional standpoint, the plant’s interest lies mainly in pigments and secondary metabolites, not in fats.

Medical applications (traditional and scientific interest)

Note: medical applications are mainly traditional or experimental and do not replace pharmacological treatments.

Cosmetic applications

Main INCI functions:

• Skin conditioning

• Antioxidant

• Soothing

• Fragrance

Industrial applications

References__________________________________________________________________________

(1) Sanjaya SS, Park J, Choi YH, Park HS, Sadanaga T, Jung MJ, Kim GY. Polyphenol extract from Tagetes erecta L. flowers stimulates osteogenesis via β-catenin activation. Phytomedicine. 2025 Jan;136:156313. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.156313.

(2) Madhavan J, Chandrasekharan S, Priya MK, Godavarthi A. Modulatory Effect of Carotenoid Supplement Constituting Lutein and Zeaxanthin (10:1) on Anti-oxidant Enzymes and Macular Pigments Level in Rats. Pharmacogn Mag. 2018 Apr-Jun;14(54):268-274. doi: 10.4103/pm.pm_340_17.

González ASC, Valencia MG, Cervantes-Villagrana RD, Zapata AB, Cervantes-Villagrana AR. Cytotoxic and Antitumor Effects of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Tagetes erecta in Lung Cancer Cells. Molecules. 2023 Oct 12;28(20):7055. doi: 10.3390/molecules28207055.

Abstract. Among all cancers, lung cancer is the one with the highest mortality rate, and it also has limited therapeutics. Antitumor agents based on medicinal plants have gained importance as a source of bioactive substances. Tagetes erecta is a plant of great cultural value, and recent reports have suggested its cytotoxic effects in tumor cells. Our objective was to evaluate the antitumor activity of Tagetes erecta extract in a lung carcinoma model. Hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained from fresh flowers and leaves of T. erecta; both extracts did not exert toxicity on Artemia salina. We observed cytotoxic effects induced by the floral extract in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and breast tumor cell line (MCF7), but not by the leaf extract. In vivo, a xenograft lung carcinoma model was performed with LLC cells implanted on C57BL/6 mice, which showed that the floral extract reduced tumor growth and improved the effect of etoposide. Microscopic analysis of tumors showed a reduction in mitoses and an increase in necrotic areas with the extract and the etoposide. The main phytochemical compounds found are 2,3-dihydro-benzofuran, octadecanoic acid, benzenacetic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and acetic acid. We conclude that the hydroalcoholic extract of T. erecta flowers has cytotoxic effects in lung carcinoma cells and enhances the effect of etoposide.

Vaz CR, Benvenutti L, Goldoni FC, Nunes R, Schneiker GS, Rosa GA, Furtado K, Garcia L, Quintão NLM, Santin JR. Tagetes erecta L.: A traditional medicine effective in inflammatory process treatment. J Ethnopharmacol. 2024 Nov 15;334:118558. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118558.