Growing Guide: Mexican Tarragon
Growing Tips
(Also known as: Mexican Tarragon, Mexican Mint Marigold, Sweet Mace, Tagetes lucida)
Plant Mexican Tarragon in full sun and well-drained soil for the best flavor and flowering. Pinch young stems to encourage a fuller, bushier plant and remove spent blooms to prolong flowering. Harvest leaves in the morning for peak essential oil content. It grows well in containers and is well suited to hot, sunny gardens.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Tagetes lucida |
| Common Names | Mexican Tarragon, Mexican Mint Marigold, Sweet Mace |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Origin | Mexico and Central America |
| Plant Type | Culinary & Medicinal Herb |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Mature Size | 2–3 ft. tall |
| Light | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Low; drought-tolerant once established |
| Soil | Well-drained soil |
| Bloom Time | Summer–Fall |
| Flower Color | Golden Yellow |
| USDA Zones | 8–11 |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Seeds, Cuttings |
| Seasonal Traits | Herbaceous Perennial |
| Time to Harvest | Harvest leaves as needed once established |
