Red Gem

Family: Asteraceae Flower

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Red Gem to a garden.

Warm, jewel-bright blooms arrive in profusion—Red Gem’s compact signet marigold flowers glow in rich ember-red with a softly ruffled, lacy look.

The foliage is fine and feathery, creating a delicate texture that feels almost filigreed in the garden, while the blossoms carry a lively, aromatic character that gardeners love to enjoy fresh. Ideal for borders and containers, Red Gem shines as a pollinator magnet in heat, delivering steady color from early summer through fall.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Bush

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Red Gem Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 20th	Jul 27th	Sep 25th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 14th	Sep 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 8th	Sep 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 29th	Aug 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 20th	Aug 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Jun 5th	Aug 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 27th	Jul 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 18th	Jul 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	May 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Apr 6th	Jun 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Signet marigold petals bring a spicy, aromatic sparkle—use them like you’d use a pinch of toasted spice, not like a big leafy herb. Finely chopped or used at the end, they keep their personality without turning the whole dish medicinal.

Best Uses

sparingly as a bright edible garnish for salads and rice bowls
chop fine into herb-y butter to perfume warm bread
use as a flower-speckled finishing crunch on tacos or grilled proteins

Flavor Profile

peppery-woody aromatic bite citrusy, slightly herbal lift lacy petals with a delicate, thin crunch

Kitchen Pairings

lime black pepper garlic butter white rice chicken or pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common pest or disease problem for Tagetes tenuifolia (Red Gem), and what should I do?

A frequent issue is spider mites and aphids showing up during warm, dry spells, causing stippled or curled foliage. Rinse plants with a strong water spray, then apply insecticidal soap (especially the undersides) every 5–7 days until you stop seeing new damage. If you notice leaf spots spreading or bud rot, remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering to keep foliage dry.

How often should I water Tagetes tenuifolia while it’s growing, and what soil moisture level is best?

During the main growth phase (from establishment through blooming), water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, typically every 2–4 days in full sun depending on heat. Aim for evenly moist soil but never waterlogged conditions; Tagetes tenuifolia performs best in well-drained soil where excess water can drain quickly. For container plants, check daily in hot weather because the top layer dries fast.

How can I tell when Red Gem (Tagetes tenuifolia) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 60 days and the tiny, bright blooms are fully open and actively producing—avoid picking buds that haven’t opened yet. For continuous harvest, snip flowers in the morning and remove dead or spent blooms to encourage more flowering. If the foliage starts to look sparse and flowering slows, prioritize frequent harvesting of open blooms rather than letting them sit.