Plant Database / Herbs / Mexican Mint Marigold
Herbs

Mexican Mint Marigold

Tagetes lucida
Asteraceae (Daisy)

Texas's tarragon substitute — anise-flavored leaves that shrug off heat, plus yellow fall flowers for pollinators.

EdiblePerennialDrought-toughHeat-loverPollinator
Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Soil
Well-drained
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardiness
Tender perennial; loves heat
Height
18–30 in
Spacing
18 in
Days to harvest
Cut as needed

What it is

Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida) is in the Asteraceae (Daisy) family. Texas's tarragon substitute — anise-flavored leaves that shrug off heat, plus yellow fall flowers for pollinators.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it low, and give it well-drained soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 18 in apart. Expect roughly Cut as needed. Tender perennial; loves heat.

How it's used

Mexican Mint Marigold is used: fresh, tea; like tarragon.

🔎 How to identify it

  • Narrow glossy leaves, anise scent
  • Bushy upright habit
  • Small yellow flowers in fall

Edibility

PartsLeaves and flowers
UsesFresh, tea; like tarragon
CautionNone.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.