• Mexican Tarragon Yellow Flowers
  • Mexican Tarragon Yellow Flowers
  • Mexican Tarragon Yellow Flowers
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EdenValleySeeds

Mexican Tarragon Seeds for Planting – Tagetes lucida Golden Flowers and Anise Scented Herb

Mexican Tarragon Seeds for Planting – Tagetes lucida Golden Flowers and Anise Scented Herb

$16.99 USD
$16.99 USD
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Key Features

  • Golden Yellow Flowers: Produces clusters of small, bright yellow flower heads during late summer and autumn.

  • Anise-Scented Leaves: Features narrow green foliage with a distinctive sweet, tarragon-like fragrance.

  • Bushy Perennial Growth: Develops upright, branching stems in suitable climates.

  • Culinary Garden Interest: Fragrant leaves are traditionally used as a seasoning herb.

  • Warm-Season Garden Appeal: Combines aromatic foliage with attractive seasonal flowers.

Growing Benefits

  • Fragrant Garden Foliage: Adds a pleasant anise-like aroma to herb gardens.

  • Autumn Flowering Interest: Golden blossoms provide seasonal color when many summer flowers begin to fade.

  • Container Gardening: Grows well in spacious pots with suitable drainage.

  • Flower-Visiting Insects: Open flower heads can attract bees and other pollinating insects.

  • Versatile Garden Design: Complements sunny borders, culinary gardens, and mixed ornamental plantings.

Seed Specifications

  • Common Name: Mexican Tarragon, Mexican Mint Marigold, Texas Tarragon

  • Botanical Name: Tagetes lucida

  • Plant Family: Asteraceae

  • Plant Type: Aromatic Culinary and Ornamental Herb

  • Plant Classification: Tender Herbaceous Perennial

  • Variety: Species Form; Cultivar Not Specified

  • Flower Color: Golden Yellow

  • Flower Shape: Small, Daisy-Like Composite Flower Heads

  • Flower Arrangement: Terminal Clusters

  • Foliage Color: Glossy Medium Green

  • Leaf Shape: Narrow, Linear to Lanceolate

  • Leaf Arrangement: Opposite

  • Leaf Fragrance: Sweet Anise and Tarragon-Like Aroma

  • Plant Height: Approximately 18–36 Inches

  • Plant Spread: Approximately 12–24 Inches

  • Growth Habit: Upright, Bushy, Branching

  • Sunlight: Full Sun; Light Partial Shade Tolerated

  • Soil: Well-Draining Sandy or Loamy Soil

  • Soil pH: Adaptable to Acidic, Neutral, and Alkaline Conditions

  • Water Requirements: Moderate During Establishment; Occasional Irrigation Once Established

  • Germination Time: Approximately 4–14 Days Under Suitable Conditions; Variable

  • Germination Temperature: Approximately 70–75°F

  • Seed Preparation: No Routine Cold Stratification Required

  • Sowing Depth: Surface Sow With Very Light Covering

  • Plant Spacing: Approximately 12–18 Inches

  • USDA Growing Zones: Approximately 8–11 for Perennial Cultivation, Depending on Winter Conditions

  • Planting Season: Spring After Frost Risk

  • Flowering Season: Late Summer Through Autumn

  • Foliage Harvesting: During Active Growth After Establishment

  • Native Region: Mexico to Central America

  • Uses: Culinary Herb Gardens, Patio Containers, Raised Beds, Sunny Borders, Ornamental Flower Gardens

  • Seed Count Per Pack: Confirm Actual Quantity

  • Special Characteristics: Anise-Scented Foliage, Golden Flowers, Warm-Season Growth, Bushy Perennial Habit

Growing Tips

  • Provide Full Sun: Choose a location receiving six or more hours of direct sunlight daily.

  • Maintain Good Drainage: Use loose soil and containers with adequate drainage holes.

  • Protect From Frost: Grow as an annual in colder regions or move containers into protected conditions before freezing weather.

  • Encourage Bushy Growth: Pinch young growing tips to promote branching and fuller foliage.

  • Water During Dry Periods: Established plants tolerate some dryness but perform well with occasional irrigation.

  • Harvest Carefully: Remove modest amounts of tender foliage while leaving enough growth for continued development.

Seed Storage

  • Cool Storage: Keep seeds in a cool environment away from excessive heat.

  • Dry Conditions: Store thoroughly dried seeds in sealed, moisture-resistant containers.

  • Light Protection: Protect seeds from prolonged direct sunlight.

  • Proper Labeling: Record the botanical name, seed lot, and collection date.

  • Seed Rotation: Check older seed lots before starting larger sowings.

Unique Facts About the Seeds

  • A Marigold Relative: Mexican Tarragon belongs to the Tagetes genus rather than the Artemisia genus of French Tarragon.

  • Distinctive Anise Fragrance: Its narrow leaves have a sweet scent reminiscent of anise and traditional tarragon.

  • Golden Autumn Flowers: Flowering is especially attractive during late summer and autumn.

  • Warm-Climate Adaptability: The plant is well suited to warm growing regions where traditional French Tarragon can be difficult to maintain.

  • Seed Propagation: Unlike traditional French Tarragon, Mexican Tarragon can be propagated from seed.

Growing Instructions

1. Planting Season: Start seeds indoors approximately 6–8 weeks before the final expected spring frost, or sow outdoors about two weeks after the final frost.
2. Soil Preparation: Prepare loose, fertile, well-draining soil. Remove weeds and break apart compacted surface layers.
3. Seed Preparation: Use correctly identified Tagetes lucida seeds. Routine cold stratification is generally unnecessary.
4. Sowing Method: Sow seeds thinly in moist seed-starting medium or directly into prepared garden soil after frost risk has passed.
5. Sowing Depth: Press seeds gently into the surface and cover with a very thin layer of vermiculite or fine growing medium.
6. Plant Spacing: Allow approximately 12–18 inches between established plants to accommodate branching growth.
7. Sunlight Requirements: Provide bright light during propagation and full sunlight after outdoor establishment. Light partial shade is tolerated.
8. Watering: Maintain light, even moisture during germination without saturation. Water young plants regularly and reduce frequency after establishment.
9. Germination: Maintain approximately 70–75°F. Seeds may germinate within 4–14 days under suitable conditions, although seed-lot performance varies.
10. Transplanting: Move seedlings into individual containers after several true leaves develop. Harden off gradually and transplant outdoors after frost risk has passed.
11. Fertilizing: Incorporate modest amounts of compost into the planting area. Apply additional fertilizer only when needed.
12. Plant Care: Pinch young growing tips to encourage branching, remove competing weeds, and maintain good airflow around the plants.
13. Flowering and Pollination: Mature plants develop clusters of golden-yellow flower heads during late summer and autumn. Bees and butterflies may visit the blossoms.
14. Maturity and Seed Harvesting: Harvest foliage once plants are established. To collect seeds, allow selected flower heads to dry fully, gather mature seeds, and store them in labeled containers.