Tree Marigold
Tithonia diversifolia
- Native to:
- Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá
Margaret Burger (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Tithonia
- Species:
- Tithonia diversifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- TIDI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jan,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, orange
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus) Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots after cutting or fire; used in tropical agroforestry for biomass.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed soils and roadsides
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions with no pretreatment required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI