Mexican Mint Marigold
Tagetes lucida
Sweet licorice flavor brightens salads and main dishes. The edible golden-yellow flowers bloom all summer. Thrives in warmer climates where French tarragon will not grow. Also known as sweet mace or Mexican tarragon. Edible Flowers: Use the flowers to garnish desserts and drinks with the same sweet licorice flavor as the leaves.
Harvest
80-90d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
8–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-30 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Mexican Mint Marigold in USDA Zone 8
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Mexican Mint Marigold · Zones 8–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal.
Harvesting
Achenes black, narrowly cylindrical; pappus of 1 to 3 setae and 7 to 9 much shorter scales with ciliate margins.
Color: Black. Type: Achene.
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Flowers are used to make tea. Leaves are used fresh or dried in soups and sauces. Their flavor is similar to anise.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Mexican mint marigold leaves maintain peak flavor for 3-5 days when stored properly. Treat cut stems like fresh flowers—place them in water and cover loosely with a plastic bag, then refrigerate. For longer fresh storage, wrap clean, dry leaves in damp paper towels and store in the refrigerator's crisper drawer.
Drying preserves the complex anise-tarragon flavor exceptionally well. Bundle small stems and hang in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area for 7-10 days until leaves crumble easily. Strip leaves from stems and store in airtight containers away from light. Properly dried leaves retain potency for up to one year.
Freezing works well for cooking applications—wash and thoroughly dry leaves, then freeze whole in ice cube trays with a little water or oil. The frozen herb works perfectly in cooked dishes, though texture changes make it unsuitable for fresh applications.
History & Origin
Origin: Mexico to Honduras
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Songbirds
- +Edible: Flowers are used to make tea. Leaves are used fresh or dried in soups and sauces. Their flavor is similar to anise.
- +Low maintenance
Considerations
- -Toxic (Flowers, Leaves, Roots): Low severity
- -Causes contact dermatitis
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Tomatoes
Mexican Mint Marigold repels nematodes and whiteflies that commonly attack tomatoes
Peppers
Provides pest protection against aphids and spider mites while enhancing pepper flavor
Beans
Marigold deters Mexican bean beetles and other bean pests while beans fix nitrogen
Cucumbers
Repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs, reduces pest pressure on cucurbits
Lettuce
Provides natural pest control against aphids and adds beneficial insects to the garden
Carrots
Deters carrot fly and other root pests while improving soil health
Roses
Repels aphids, thrips, and other rose pests while adding fragrance to the garden
Cabbage
Protects against cabbage worms and flea beetles that damage brassicas
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Juglone toxicity from walnut roots inhibits marigold growth and can cause plant death
Fennel
Allelopathic compounds inhibit marigold growth and development
Sunflowers
Compete heavily for nutrients and water, can stunt marigold growth through root competition
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #173474)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent disease resistance, very few problems
Common Pests
Occasionally aphids, generally pest resistant
Diseases
Root rot in poorly draining soils, otherwise disease-free