Mexican Tarragon – 50 Seeds

Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida) is also known as Sweet Mace, Winter Tarragon, Cloud Plant, Sweet Marigold and Mexican mint marigold. The leaves have a distinct aniseed scent and flavor which is similar to French Tarragon, but much stronger. Although it has a flavor similar to traditional French tarragon, the plant has better tolerance for drought, heat, and humidity. The flowers are yellow, fragrant, and make a showy display in the late summer and early autumn. This easy to grow perennial is native to Mexico. Although Mexican tarragon plants tolerate partial shade, the flavor is best when the plant is exposed to full sunlight.

Culinary Uses:

• It can be used sparingly as a substitute for French Tarragon in any recipe.
• It also makes a great herb vinegar for use in salad dressing.

Growing Mexican Tarragon

Indoor Sowing: Not Recommended.

Direct Sowing: Spring.

• It will grow in heavy clay and sandy soil equally well. However, it prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0.
• It prefers a position in full sun and while it is drought tolerant once established, it will grow best with occasional watering.
• Once all danger of frost has passed in your region, direct sow the seed on the surface of the soil and then press them into the soil so that they’re just under the surface.
• Water well. Keep the soil only very slightly moist, not wet, until germination occurs.
• Germination can take a few months, depending on when you planted the seeds, as the seeds normally only start germinating in Summer.
• Water the soil well and keep it moist as the seeds germinate.
• Once the seedlings have emerged and the first set of true leaves have formed, reduce watering so that the top inch of soil dries out in between watering.
• Mexican tarragon grows well in containers, so long as the drainage is good.