Photo: manfred.sause@volloeko.deCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Mexican Tarragon Plant Care
Tagetes lucida (Sweet) Voss
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tagetes lucida is a perennial plant native to Mexico and Central America. It is used as a medicinal plant and as a culinary herb. The leaves have a tarragon-like scent, with hints of anise, and it has entered the nursery trade in North America as a tarragon substitute. Common names include sweetscented marigold, Mexican marigold, Mexican mint marigold, Mexican tarragon, sweet mace, Texas tarragon, pericón, yerbaniz, and hierbanís.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Mexican Tarragon?
Water Mexican Tarragon every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 3 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Mexican Tarragon Native To?
What Is the Mexican Tarragon?
Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Tagetes genus. Mexican Tarragon is native to Mexico and Central America. Mexican Tarragon is also known as Tagetes anethina, Tagetes florida, Tagetes gilletii.
Mexican Tarragon displays a bushy annual growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mexican Tarragon produces bright, daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mexican Tarragon?
Tagetes lucida requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Mexican Tarragon Need?
Mexican Tarragon thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mexican Tarragon Prefer?
Tagetes lucida grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Mexican Tarragon prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mexican Tarragon?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Mexican Tarragon to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mexican Tarragon?
Feed Mexican Tarragon every 3 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 3 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Mexican Tarragon?
Annual repotting in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Mexican Tarragon?
Mexican Tarragon can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to marigold plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mexican Tarragon Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mexican Tarragon, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Mexican Tarragon?
Mexican Tarragon is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Mexican Tarragon Need?
Mexican Tarragon grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Mexican Tarragon is native to Mexico and Central America. In cooler regions, grow Mexican Tarragon as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Mexican Tarragon is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Tagetes genus — compare its care with other Tagetes species on PlantoScan.
Tagetes is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Mexican Tarragon thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Tagetes lucida (Sweet) Voss, family Asteraceae — World Flora Online record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mexican Tarragon, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: manfred.sause@volloeko.de, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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