The first thing that you probably didn’t know about French Marigolds is that they are not French at all, but in fact originate from Mexico. That is just one of the fascinating facts contained in this article which also describes the first marigold hybrid and the first white marigold. Then there is its ability to act as a natural pesticide. All this and more is contained in an article by Jill Spencer which I found on the Dengarden website.

Old-fashioned favorites, marigolds are as common to flower gardens as the ubiquitous petunia or geranium. They also have a unique history and all sorts of uses, from the decorative to the salutary.

French marigolds actually originated in Mexico. | Source

Interesting Origins

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Single-petal varieties of French marigolds, including Scarlet Starlet & Cottage, perform well under hot, humid conditions.

For additional cultivars, see the chart below.

“Me llamo Marigold.”
Yes, they’re commonly called French marigolds, but Tagetes patula is actually native to Mexico and Central America.
In the 16th century, their seeds were first transported to Europe by Portuguese explorers. Eventually, the flowers became popular in France?and just about everywhere else, too, including French territories.
Soon the hardy annual, with its pungent aroma, lacy leaves and cheerful flowers, became a staple in ornamental borders (Cutler), so that by the 19th century, it was considered an “old-fashioned” flower (Taylor).
The first part of French marigold’s botanical name, Tagetes, is derived from the Etruscan god Tages, who is said to have sprung in all his glory from freshly plowed soil. Patula, French marigold’s species name, means “spreading” (National Gardening Association), which is particularly apt, in more ways than one.
Not only are French marigolds easy plants to sow from seed, but they’re also hardy self-seeders. And they’re grown just about everywhere on the planet.

We grow a mix of French marigolds for a variety of blooms in various combinations of orange, red and yellow. | Source