Tagetes EO

Tagetes minuta var. bipinata (synonym of Tagetes minuta L.)

(8)

Tagetes essential oil has a strong, warm, sweet-herbaceous, distinctive ketonic (pungent) aroma with a very powerful fruity undertone, reminiscent of green apple. Despite its unusual pungency, Tagetes essential oil is used extensively in French perfumes,

Size

Selected size SKU:940-015 - Tagetes 15 ml (1/2 oz)

Sample 1 ml (1/30 oz)
$3.00
15 ml (1/2 oz)
$16.00
30 ml (1 oz)
$26.75
59.14 ml (2 oz)
$47.00
118.29 ml (4 oz)
$82.50
236.58 ml (8 oz)
$147.00
473.17 ml (16 oz)
$266.75
1 kg (2 1/5 lb)
$577.25
$3.00
Details
Solubility & Blending Suggestions
Suggested Resources
Safety Considerations
Certificates of Analysis (COA)
Documentation

Product Overview

Tagetes essential oil has a strong, warm, sweet-herbaceous, distinctive ketonic (pungent) aroma with a very powerful fruity undertone, reminiscent of green apple. Despite its unusual pungency, Tagetes essential oil is used extensively in French perfumes, although in minimal amounts. About 1 kilo of Tagetes oil is produced from about 700 kilos of stems and leaves.[1]

Tagetes minuta var bipinnata is a perennial herb native to the temperate grasslands and mountainous regions of southern South America; it is also cultivated in Madagascar. A member of the Asteraceae family, Tagetes is a variety of marigold, however it should not be confused with the more commonly known Calendula officinalis, or pot marigold, that has very different properties and applications.

Tagetes essential oil contains about 47% ketones - accounting for its intense aroma. The oil is also rich in many secondary compounds, including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, oxides and phenols that give it a broad range of activity. Formulators may find it useful in targeted skincare preparations, such as foot oils and lotions, however, due to its high risk of phototoxicity, the maximum dermal use level is quite low  (0.01%).[2]  Tagetes blends well with florals, woods and citrus oils.

1 Naturals Compendium, International Flavor & Fragrances, 2009, p. 145.

2 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 435.

Blends Well With

4.3

8 Reviews

62.5%
5
25.0%
2
0.0%
0
0.0%
0
12.5%
1

Customer Reviews

i have no idea what's happening here but i love it.

Rating

this one is a wild ride! immediately out of the bottle, it reminds me very strongly of tootsie pops--this strange sort of faux-chocolate mixed with a candied sweetness--along with a hint of marigold, with an inexplicable metallic stab on the back end. on the drydown, i am completely without context for this scent, which is something sweet and sharp and warm and metal and a little pollen-like powdery all at once. there are some smells in this world that are only circularly-defined (coconut smells like coconut, butter smells like butter) and i think tagetes has to be one of them.

Review by a m p 10/22/2015

Remarkably Unpleasant

Rating

The first waft off the bottle nearly made me gag. The second did much the same. It mellows out when intermingled with another floral, but there remains an overtone of rotting fruit. I'm sure it repels sensible insects, but it might attract fruit flies. From the oil room: Oh boy, you have met Tagetes! You clearly understand what this plant is trying to say – “Go away!!” This oil contains around 50% stinky aromatic ketones (think acetone as far as the strongly pungent aroma) which lend great benefits all around. This is not necessarily an oil that is prized in natural perfumery although it is used sparingly in interesting fragrance combinations. There is a chance of photosensitivity if used on skin exposed to the sun.

Review by Dorian 9/18/2015

Divine

Rating

I used this in a perfume and it was the secret ingredient that took the blend over the edge and into the divine. This relatively-rare oil is quite the unexpected treat.

Review by SB 8/29/2014

You need to be logged in to submit a review
logo

2025-10-10

Spiced Pumpkin Seed Body Oil for Fall

As the air turns crisp and leaves begin to change, our skin often craves a little extra care. Look no further, our Pumpkin Seed Oil - Organic is the perfect carrier oil to feature in your seasonal formulations. Not only does it naturally embody the cozy, nurturing vibe for fall, but its impressive skin benefits and smooth, luxurious texture make it a standout ingredient for soft, glowing skin.

logo

2025-10-01

Getting to Know Geranium – A Rosy, Green Floral

Few essential oils strike the balance between beauty, versatility, and utility quite like Geranium. Bold, green, rosy-floral, and endlessly adaptable, it’s both a formulator’s ally and a perfumer’s force of nature. Native to South Africa, flowering Geranium was brought to Europe in the 17th century and is now cultivated globally for its remarkably rose-like aroma and wide-ranging benefits.

logo

2025-09-25

Meet Your New Favorite Green Aroma: Perilla (Shiso) Leaf

We’re ecstatic over the arrival of a rare gem in our collection: Perilla (Shiso) Leaf essential oil. With a striking and highly unusual aroma like no other, we’ve sourced a vibrant material that captures the true-to-nature scent of this fascinating beauty.