Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida)
Licorice-Sweet Herb with Golden Blooms
Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida), also known as Mexican Mint Marigold, is a fragrant, golden-flowered herb native to Central America and a beloved culinary and medicinal plant with a bold, anise-like flavor. Often used as a heat-tolerant substitute for French tarragon, this plant thrives in hot, sunny gardens and is prized for its edible leaves and vibrant blooms.
Its narrow, glossy green leaves add a licorice-sweet punch to vinegars, herbal teas, sauces, eggs, and fish dishes. Bright yellow marigold-like flowers bloom throughout summer and fall, attracting butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects while adding color and cheer to herb gardens and landscape borders.
Cultural & Culinary Significance
Mexican Tarragon has a long history of traditional use in Mexico and Central America. The Aztecs used the plant in rituals, teas, and traditional remedies, giving this fragrant herb a rich connection to place and culture. Today, its leaves remain popular for their distinctive anise-like flavor and are used in teas, vinegars, sauces, eggs, and fish dishes.
Why Grow Mexican Tarragon?
- Delicious heat-tolerant alternative to French tarragon
- Fragrant edible leaves bring a licorice-sweet flavor to dishes and teas
- Bright yellow flowers attract butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects
- Drought-tolerant and pest-resistant once established
- Beautiful culinary and medicinal herb for gardens or containers
