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Marigold flower

Marigold flower suppliers and sourcing guide

Marigold flower in the ingredient trade usually means the Aztec or African marigold, Tagetes erecta, grown at scale in India, China and Latin America as the main source of lutein and zeaxanthin. Petals are dried or ensiled, extracted with hexane or another solvent to an oleoresin, then saponified and purified into lutein crystals, oils, powders and beadlets. Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) is a different plant.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Tagetes erecta · Aztec marigold · African marigold · marigold oleoresin · tagetes
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of marigold flower

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Marigold oleoresin

    Solvent extract of the petals containing lutein esters, sold on total xanthophylls or carotenoid content.

  • Purified lutein (free or ester)

    Saponified and crystallized lutein, often with zeaxanthin, sold as crystals for further formulation.

  • Oil suspensions

    Lutein or lutein ester crystals suspended in a vegetable oil at a declared percentage, for softgels.

  • Powders and beadlets

    Lutein encapsulated with starch, gum acacia or gelatin plus stabilizers such as tocopherols, at declared percentages for tablets and drink mixes.

  • Dried petals and meal

    Dried flower or petal meal used for teas, color and animal feed.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Lutein and zeaxanthin assay (HPLC)
Total lutein and zeaxanthin, with trans and cis isomers, by a named HPLC method; a UV total-carotenoid figure alone is not enough to compare lots.
Residual solvents
Hexane and other extraction solvents by GC against the buyer's spec and USP <467>.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli or coliforms, and Salmonella.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue pesticide screen, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.
Physical tests
Loss on drying, particle size and bulk density for powders and beadlets, and a statement of the carrier, oil and stabilizers used.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep lutein products sealed under nitrogen or in foil packaging, refrigerated or cool, and away from light, because carotenoids break down with oxygen, heat and light. Open containers only as needed and reseal promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the lutein assay is repeated at retest.

Lots and expiry dates

Lutein content and isomer ratio vary by crop and processing, so check each lot's HPLC assay and residual solvent results against your specification. Record the supplier lot, form and percentage, and rotate stock first-expiry-first-out.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 73.295 lists tagetes (Aztec marigold, Tagetes erecta) meal and a hexane extract of the petals as color additives that may be safely used in chicken feed.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 172.510 permits tagetes (marigold), including Tagetes erecta, as a natural flavoring substance as oil only.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's Marigold Extract and Isolates (Lutein and Zeaxanthin) monograph lists Tagetes erecta flowering herb oleoresin as a non-synthetic source of lutein, and dried Tagetes erecta flower as source material.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

  • The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Tagetes erecta (POL-NF-13142) covers the aerial parts of the flowers and lutein and zeaxanthin extracts in oil suspension, and lists both as not novel in food supplements.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Marigold flower suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking marigold flower suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of marigold flower can brands buy?

Common forms include marigold oleoresin, purified lutein (free or ester), oil suspensions, powders and beadlets and dried petals and meal. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for marigold flower include?

Expect lutein and zeaxanthin assay (HPLC), residual solvents, heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should marigold flower be stored?

Keep lutein products sealed under nitrogen or in foil packaging, refrigerated or cool, and away from light, because carotenoids break down with oxygen, heat and light. Open containers only as needed and reseal promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the lutein assay is repeated at retest.

What is the regulatory status of marigold flower?

21 CFR 73.295 lists tagetes (Aztec marigold, Tagetes erecta) meal and a hexane extract of the petals as color additives that may be safely used in chicken feed. 21 CFR 172.510 permits tagetes (marigold), including Tagetes erecta, as a natural flavoring substance as oil only. Health Canada's Marigold Extract and Isolates (Lutein and Zeaxanthin) monograph lists Tagetes erecta flowering herb oleoresin as a non-synthetic source of lutein, and dried Tagetes erecta flower as source material. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Tagetes erecta (POL-NF-13142) covers the aerial parts of the flowers and lutein and zeaxanthin extracts in oil suspension, and lists both as not novel in food supplements.

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