• Photo of Tagetes lucida (Tagetes lucidas)

Plant Profile: Tagetes lucida

Taxonomy: Tagetes lucida

Names

Mexican Tarragon, Sweetscented marigold

  • Photo of Tagetes lucida (Tagetes lucidas)

Phonetic Spelling:

Genus:Tagetes

Species:lucida

Family:Asteraceae

Mexican Tarragon thrives in the hills and woodlands of Mexico and South America, where it is classified as a perennial plant. In regions with colder climates, specifically those below zone 8, it is cultivated as an annual. Belonging to the daisy family, this herb showcases bright yellow composite flowers that bloom in late spring and early fall. For optimal growth, it should be planted in full sunlight and in light, well-drained soil. It complements vegetable gardens beautifully, especially alongside tomatoes, and can also enhance herb gardens, borders, or pathways and patios. This plant can be propagated from seeds.

Regarding pests and diseases, slugs and snails pose a significant threat, particularly to young seedlings, while Botrytis can occasionally affect the plant.

Tagetes lucida Feature Summary

Tagetes lucida Image Gallery

Tags

#yellow flowers
#edible flowers
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Tagetes lucida Feature Summary

Attributes
The leaves were used in the flavoring of 'chocolatl', the cocoa-based drink of the Aztecs.
Flowers are used to make tea. Leaves are used fresh or dried in soups and sauces. Their flavor is similar to anise.
Perennial
Annual
Flowers
Yellow daisy-like flowers appear from August-September. Dead-heading will prolong flowering.
Gold/Yellow
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Annual
Herb
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Dry
Coastal
8b
8a
9a
9b
10a
10b
11a
11b
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Landscape
Edible Garden

Tagetes lucida Attributes

Tagetes lucida: Uses (Ethnobotany)

The leaves were used in the flavoring of 'chocolatl', the cocoa-based drink of the Aztecs.

Tagetes lucida: Country Or Region Of Origin

Mexico to Honduras

Tagetes lucida: Edibility

Flowers are used to make tea. Leaves are used fresh or dried in soups and sauces. Their flavor is similar to anise.

Tagetes lucida: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Tagetes lucida: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Tagetes lucida Flowers

Tagetes lucida: Flower Description

Yellow daisy-like flowers appear from August-September. Dead-heading will prolong flowering.

Tagetes lucida: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Gold/Yellow

Tagetes lucida: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Tagetes lucida: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Tagetes lucida: Flower Shape

Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel

Tagetes lucida Whole Plant Traits

Tagetes lucida: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Tagetes lucida: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Tagetes lucida Cultural Conditions

Tagetes lucida: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Tagetes lucida: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Tagetes lucida: Available Space To Plant

12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet

Tagetes lucida: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Tagetes lucida: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
10a
thermostat
10b
thermostat
11a
thermostat
11b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Tagetes lucida: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Tagetes lucida Leaves

Tagetes lucida: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Tagetes lucida: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Tagetes lucida Stem

Tagetes lucida: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Tagetes lucida Landscape

Tagetes lucida: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden