Huacatey (Tagetes minuta)
Live Huacatay Herb Plant
Ships ready to plant in 4” coconut coir pot
Tagetes minuta is a culinary herb related to marigold that’s known as Huacatay, Peruvian Black Mint or Southern Cone Marigold among many other regional names. In terms of flavor, Huacatay carries the burden of comparison to the flavor of black licorice: you will either love it, or hate it, and we at Sow Exotic fall hard on the love it side. Huactay proves itself an everlasting herbaceous species, with documented use as a medicinal tea, condiment, and use for flavor in popular rice dishes and stews. It is popularly used to make Peruvian Black mint sauce, which flavors grilled seafood and chicken dishes. We even to use it fresh in cocktails or floral mocktails!
In terms of cultivation, Huacatay grows almost effortlessly and is self-propagating in its native habitats of the Americas, including the southern United States, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay. Huacatay is most commonly grown and used in Bolivia and Peru for use as a popular culinary spice. Although it can be a burden to some farmers in Latin America, more optimistic horticulturalists consider it a ‘double-crop’ opportunity where it spreads wildly, collecting handfuls of it before winter frosts cut its growing season short. Local names for Huacatay will vary by region, but are found in literature as ‘wakataya, chinchilla, chiquilla, chilca, zuico, suico, or the Spanish term anisillo.’
Can I pick up my order at the nursery?
Use code LOCALPICKUP at checkout and schedule your pickup date/time HERE. If the appointment is confirmed, you're good to go. If it is denied, we will ask you to reschedule and provide an alternative day/time. There are no same day pickups.
Order Processing & Shipping Schedule
Orders are processed and shipped at the beginning of each week via 1-3 Day USPS Priority Mail. Average order processing time before shipment ranges from 1-14 days. During the Spring and Summer, processing/shipping can take up to 4 weeks.
Tracking information
A confirmation email with tracking information will be sent immediately upon shipment. You can track the progress of your order online anytime by logging in to your account. Delivery confirmation will be emailed when your plants have reached their destination, so you never miss a beat!
Shipping Cost
Shipping will be calculated at checkout and varies based on order weight and your distance from the nursery. Shipping is combined for multiple plants. The more you grow, the more you save!
Shipping to Hawaii & Puerto Rico
Sow Exotic now ships almost all of our fruiting and medicinal plants to Hawaii and Puerto Rico! Plants will ship bare root every Monday through Wednesday via 1-3 Day USPS Priority Mail. No heat packs necessary. Due to USDA restrictions, here's the list of plants that don't make the cut:
Can't ship to Puerto Rico: Coffee, Palm, Banana
Can't ship to Hawaii: Pineapple, Palm, Papaya, Coffee, Banana, Passionfruit
All the other cool stuff: good to go! 🌈 🌿📦📪
For more frequently asked questions visit our FAQ's page.
Weather Holds
Orders placed in colder climate zones during the winter months will automatically be placed on hold until Spring or when temperatures in your area are above freezing on the expected date of delivery.
Heat packs can be purchased separately to avoid cold weather delays.
If you live in a colder climate and do not want to wait until Spring to get your new plants, we recommend adding a heat pack to your order. Your plants will ship as scheduled and arrive safely, with no risk of freezing on the way to your front door.