Growing Mexican Tarragon

Mexican (also called Texas) tarragon (Tagetes lucida) grows all spring and summer before it produces many yellow, single marigold-like blossoms, but that is just a bonus because the main reason to grow it is for the flavored leaves. In warm climates, its anise-like flavor makes it a substitute for French tarragon, which often withers in heat. You will find that it goes by many names: Texas tarragon, false tarragon, Mexican mint marigold, winter tarragon, yerba anise, hierba de anis, hierba de San Juan, and pericon. Try growing Mexican tarragon in an herb garden, flower bed, or container. Let it be the bright spot in your herb garden, which often needs a boost by summer’s end. The upright plants pair well with other fall bloomers such as pineapple sage. Plants bloom lightly in the spring, then profusely in the fall.

Soil, Planting, and Care

Although grown as an annual in most of the country, Mexican tarragon is a half-hardy perennial in warmer regions, where it comes back vigorously from the roots in spring. In climates where it never dies down from frost, keep it trimmed. When planting, space plants 18 to 24 inches apart.

Plants need full sun or partial shade and must have well-drained soil. Given that, they grow easily and without fuss. Improve the nutrition and texture of your existing soil by mixing a few inches of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose In-Ground Soil in with the top layer.

Although drought tolerant, tarragon will be fuller and bloom best if kept moist. Tarragon will benefit from the nutrition provided by regular feedings of plant food, such as Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition (follow label directions). It’s worth noting that if stems fall over and touch the ground, they will take root, causing plants to spread. Tarragon also reseeds

Troubleshooting

Plants are not bothered by most pests, but be sure to plant them in a spot that drains well, or the roots can rot.

Harvest and Storage

Snip fresh sprigs as needed, beginning in spring. Before frost, harvest the stems by cutting them at the base and letting them air-dry on a screen, or bundle a few together at the base to hang upside-down to dry.

Uses

Substitute Mexican terragon for French tarragon in equal proportions. The flavor breaks down more quickly when heated, so it is best to add it at the end of cooking. This herb is an ingredient in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine.

Download our How to Grow Herbs instructions. They are in .PDF format.

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FAQs

My French tarragon doesn't seem to be happy in our new home in the Southeast. What am I doing wrong?

French tarragon usually has a tough time in the land of hot summers and not-so-cold winters. Although it will grow in spring, it seems to stop growing when the weather gets hot. Overall, it is a much smaller plant in the South. One solution is to substitute Mexican tarragon. The flavor is very similar, it loves the heat, and you get long stems topped with pretty gold flowers in the fall.