Mexican Mint

Mexican Mint (Tagetes Lucida) - Mexican Mint has a lot to offer! In the herb garden, it is highly ornamental with a profusion of small yellow flowers that bloom in late summer. As a kitchen herb, it has a scent of tarragon and a licorice-anise flavor that is a great seasoning for fish or chicken and the leaves are nice in tossed green salads. Mexican Mint also is called Mexican Mint Marigold because it is related to the familiar bedding plants, marigolds. Another name for it is Mexican Tarragon, and it thrives it hot humid climates where French tarragon does not perform well. Mexican Mint can be substituted for French tarragon in equal portions. This culinary herb can be used in vinegars, oils, soups and stews.

The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season for using fresh. For drying, harvest long stems before frost when they have the golden-yellow flowers on their tips. Dry bunches for later use. The flowers can be dried as well and give long-lasting color to dried floral arrangements. The dried leaves keep their flavor well if kept in air-tight containers and out of direct sunlight and heat.

Mexican Mint seed is fairly easy to establish. It is recommended to start the seed indoors 6 – 8 weeks before the last expected frost date. This herb plant prefers full sun and well-draining soil, even sandy soils. In colder zones, grow Mexican Mint herb plants as annuals.