Tagetes patula

French marigold

Spiritual Message by the Mother/ Quotes by Sri Aurobindo

That which can easily change its form is "plastic". Figuratively, it is suppleness, a capacity of adaptation to circumstances and necessities. When I ask you to be plastic in relation to the Divine, I mean not to resist the Divine with the rigidity of preconceived ideas and fixed principles.

The Mother, Questions and Answers 1950 - 1951: 14 March 1951

The physical being and physical consciousness must be very plastic to be able to lend themselves to all the necessary changes, so as to be of one kind one day and another the next, and so on.

The Mother, Questions and Answers 1950 - 1951: 28 April 1951

The supramental body which has to be brought into being here has four main attributes: lightness, adaptability, plasticity and luminosity… Supramental plasticity will enable it to stand the attack of every hostile force which strives to pierce it: it will present no dull resistance to the attack but will be, on the contrary, so pliant as to nullify the force by giving way to it to pass off. Thus it will suffer no harmful consequences and the most deadly attacks will leave it unscathed.

The Mother, Questions and Answers 1929 - 1931: True Humility - Supramental Plasticity - Spiritual Rebirth

Varieties

Message of the Flower

Physical Plasticity

The Mother’s Comment

One of the important conditions for transformation.

Colour

Yellow or orange, maroon

Message of the Flower

Detailed Plasticity

The Mother’s Comment

The plasticity needed to constantly progress.

Colour

Shades of yellow, orange, and rust

Family

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Cultivars

Numerous, including 'Bonanza', 'Durango', and 'Hero' series, offering a range of colors and sizes

Person who named the flower

Carl Linnaeus

Flower Size

Typically 1-2 inches in diameter

Flower Texture

Soft, sometimes velvety

Number of Petals

Can vary, especially between single and double forms

Floral Symmetry

Radially symmetric

Fragrance of Flower

Strong, musky scent

Leaf Texture

Finely divided, somewhat fern-like, with a slightly rough texture

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite or alternate

Leaf Color

Green, often with a hint of maroon

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Bushy annual herb

Life Cycle

Annual

Blooming Period

Late spring through fall, until first frost

Climate

Adaptable to a wide range of climates but prefers warm temperatures

Water Requirements

Moderate; drought-tolerant once established but prefers regular watering

Soil Type

Prefers well-drained, fertile soil but can tolerate a wide range of soil types

Temperature Ranges

Thrives in warm to hot temperatures

Sun or Shade

Full sun to partial shade

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Resistant to many pests and diseases; can deter nematodes in the soil

Pollinators

Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects

Habitat

Gardens, borders, containers, and as companion plants in vegetable gardens

Role in the Ecosystem

Supports pollinators; acts as a natural pest deterrent

Ornamental

Widely grown for ornamental purposes in gardens and landscapes

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Natural insect repellent in gardens

Endangered Status

Not endangered; widely cultivated