Mexican Tarragon
Tagetes lucida
A perennial subshrub with narrow, lance-shaped, finely serrated green leaves and small, bright yellow marigold-like flowers. It has a distinctive upright growth habit and stems that become woody at the base.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal flowering.
- Water
- Moderate watering; allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering sessions. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established but sensitive to waterlogging.
- Growth
- Perennial subshrub that grows upright to a height of 18-36 inches with a spread of 12-18 inches.
Care instructions
Thrives in warm environments with full sun and well-draining soil. It requires moderate watering and benefit from light fertilization during the growing season. Prune back in late winter to encourage bushy growth.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal flowering.
Watering
Moderate watering; allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering sessions. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established but sensitive to waterlogging.
Soil
Well-draining sandy loam or garden soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5 to 7.5).
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 8-11; often grown as an annual in cooler climates.
Growth habit
Perennial subshrub that grows upright to a height of 18-36 inches with a spread of 12-18 inches.
Bloom season
Flowers in late summer through autumn, producing clusters of small yellow flower heads with typically 5 ray florets.
Propagation
Propagate via seeds sown in spring, or by softwood cuttings and root division during the active growing season.
Common pests & issues
Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to spider mites or whiteflies in dry conditions. Root rot can occur in poorly drained soils.
Similar species
French Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) has similar leaf shape but different flower structures and is not a member of the marigold genus. Common Marigold (Tagetes erecta) has much larger, more complex flowers.