Mexican Mint Marigold: A Tarragon Substitute with Licorice Flavor

Mexican mint marigold (Tagetes lucida) is a herb that earns its keep through flavor, fragrance, and resilience. Also called Mexican/Spanish/Texas tarragon, pericon, or sweet mace, it's a perennial in Zones 8–11 (dies back but returns in Zone 7b), grown as an annual or container plant farther north, and evergreen in deep southern Florida/Texas.

Growth and Bloom

Bushy plants with smooth, upright, unbranched stems lined with linear-oblong, glossy green leaves. Fall brings clusters of ½-inch golden-yellow flowers (3–5 ray florets). Unlike spring-blooming marigolds, this one waits for autumn—when many perennials have faded—to shine.

Fragrance and Flavor

Crushed leaves release a delicious licorice/anise scent—stronger than French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus sativa), which fails in southern heat. An excellent culinary substitute: leaves enhance chicken soup, remoulade, tartar, béarnaise, French dressing, herbal vinegars, and teas. Edible flowers brighten salads.

Culture and Propagation

• Sun/soil: Full sun to part sun; well-drained soil essential.
• Drought: Tolerant once established.
• Self-seeding: Prolific! Deadhead after bloom to control. Seeds germinate readily; also easy from stem cuttings or division.
• Pests: Rarely bothered.

Why Grow It?

Deer-resistant, heat- and drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly, and a reliable tarragon stand-in for hot climates. Even as an annual in cold zones, it's worthwhile. Sow seeds in spring—your garden visitors will delight in that first crushed-leaf sniff.