Key Features
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Golden Yellow Flowers: Produces clusters of small, bright yellow flower heads during late summer and autumn.
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Anise-Scented Leaves: Features narrow green foliage with a distinctive sweet, tarragon-like fragrance.
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Bushy Perennial Growth: Develops upright, branching stems in suitable climates.
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Culinary Garden Interest: Fragrant leaves are traditionally used as a seasoning herb.
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Warm-Season Garden Appeal: Combines aromatic foliage with attractive seasonal flowers.
Growing Benefits
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Fragrant Garden Foliage: Adds a pleasant anise-like aroma to herb gardens.
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Autumn Flowering Interest: Golden blossoms provide seasonal color when many summer flowers begin to fade.
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Container Gardening: Grows well in spacious pots with suitable drainage.
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Flower-Visiting Insects: Open flower heads can attract bees and other pollinating insects.
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Versatile Garden Design: Complements sunny borders, culinary gardens, and mixed ornamental plantings.
Seed Specifications
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Common Name: Mexican Tarragon, Mexican Mint Marigold, Texas Tarragon
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Botanical Name: Tagetes lucida
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Plant Family: Asteraceae
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Plant Type: Aromatic Culinary and Ornamental Herb
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Plant Classification: Tender Herbaceous Perennial
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Variety: Species Form; Cultivar Not Specified
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Flower Color: Golden Yellow
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Flower Shape: Small, Daisy-Like Composite Flower Heads
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Flower Arrangement: Terminal Clusters
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Foliage Color: Glossy Medium Green
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Leaf Shape: Narrow, Linear to Lanceolate
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Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
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Leaf Fragrance: Sweet Anise and Tarragon-Like Aroma
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Plant Height: Approximately 18–36 Inches
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Plant Spread: Approximately 12–24 Inches
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Growth Habit: Upright, Bushy, Branching
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Sunlight: Full Sun; Light Partial Shade Tolerated
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Soil: Well-Draining Sandy or Loamy Soil
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Soil pH: Adaptable to Acidic, Neutral, and Alkaline Conditions
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Water Requirements: Moderate During Establishment; Occasional Irrigation Once Established
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Germination Time: Approximately 4–14 Days Under Suitable Conditions; Variable
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Germination Temperature: Approximately 70–75°F
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Seed Preparation: No Routine Cold Stratification Required
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Sowing Depth: Surface Sow With Very Light Covering
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Plant Spacing: Approximately 12–18 Inches
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USDA Growing Zones: Approximately 8–11 for Perennial Cultivation, Depending on Winter Conditions
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Planting Season: Spring After Frost Risk
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Flowering Season: Late Summer Through Autumn
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Foliage Harvesting: During Active Growth After Establishment
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Native Region: Mexico to Central America
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Uses: Culinary Herb Gardens, Patio Containers, Raised Beds, Sunny Borders, Ornamental Flower Gardens
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Seed Count Per Pack: Confirm Actual Quantity
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Special Characteristics: Anise-Scented Foliage, Golden Flowers, Warm-Season Growth, Bushy Perennial Habit
Growing Tips
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Provide Full Sun: Choose a location receiving six or more hours of direct sunlight daily.
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Maintain Good Drainage: Use loose soil and containers with adequate drainage holes.
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Protect From Frost: Grow as an annual in colder regions or move containers into protected conditions before freezing weather.
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Encourage Bushy Growth: Pinch young growing tips to promote branching and fuller foliage.
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Water During Dry Periods: Established plants tolerate some dryness but perform well with occasional irrigation.
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Harvest Carefully: Remove modest amounts of tender foliage while leaving enough growth for continued development.
Seed Storage
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Cool Storage: Keep seeds in a cool environment away from excessive heat.
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Dry Conditions: Store thoroughly dried seeds in sealed, moisture-resistant containers.
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Light Protection: Protect seeds from prolonged direct sunlight.
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Proper Labeling: Record the botanical name, seed lot, and collection date.
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Seed Rotation: Check older seed lots before starting larger sowings.
Unique Facts About the Seeds
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A Marigold Relative: Mexican Tarragon belongs to the Tagetes genus rather than the Artemisia genus of French Tarragon.
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Distinctive Anise Fragrance: Its narrow leaves have a sweet scent reminiscent of anise and traditional tarragon.
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Golden Autumn Flowers: Flowering is especially attractive during late summer and autumn.
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Warm-Climate Adaptability: The plant is well suited to warm growing regions where traditional French Tarragon can be difficult to maintain.
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Seed Propagation: Unlike traditional French Tarragon, Mexican Tarragon can be propagated from seed.


