What Is Mexican Tarragon How To Grow Mexican Tarragon Herb Plants

Plant tarragon in spring after the last frost. This flavorful plant grows well in both in-ground gardens and containers. Space tarragon plants 18 to 24 inches apart in partial shade to full sun with fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.

What is the difference between Tarragon and Mexican tarragon?
Can I propagate Mexican tarragon?
Is Mexican tarragon invasive?
What is Mexican tarragon used for?
Should I cut the flowers off my tarragon?
Should I let Mexican tarragon flower?
What herbs should you not plant next to each other?
Can I root tarragon in water?
How often do you water Mexican tarragon?
How do you harvest Mexican tarragon?
What can I do with Mexican mint?
Which Tarragon is best?

What is the difference between Tarragon and Mexican tarragon?

Also, Mexican tarragon (Tagetes lucida – pictured above) is a pretty fabulous perennial plant. It's hardier than French tarragon, and although the leaves have a stronger taste (more like anise) they are all edible, as are the pretty yellow flowers.

Can I propagate Mexican tarragon?

Propagating Mexican tarragon is easy. As noted above, layering the branches works. It will also readily reseed itself in your garden. You can start your seeds indoors in the spring.

Is Mexican tarragon invasive?

Don't confuse French tarragon, which is used for cooking, with false or Russian tarragon, A. dracunculoides, because it is somewhat invasive, grows well in hotter climates, and is grown from seed.

What is Mexican tarragon used for?

The entire plant is used to heal colic, stomachaches and nausea. It is commonly used today as a tea, made from flower petals, to treat diarrhea, gas and the common cold. Mexican tarragon is used as a culinary addition to meat and egg dishes. The Aztecs used this herb for medicine, cooking, and rituals.

Should I cut the flowers off my tarragon?

Prune new growth from perennial herbs like rosemary, sage and tarragon every week during the summer. Pinch off the top 2 inches of all new shoots to encourage a fuller plant with strong root growth.

Should I let Mexican tarragon flower?

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. ... Plants bloom lightly in the spring, then profusely in the fall.

What herbs should you not plant next to each other?

When it comes to other herbs, parsley, cilantro, tarragon, and basil are good companions for chives, since they all enjoy moist soil that isn't too dry or sandy. Avoid sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, oregano, which like it drier and sandier.

Can I root tarragon in water?

Tarragon is easy to root in water. Take cuttings from a healthy tarragon plant during the spring, as soon as new growth begins to appear. Choose cuttings six to eight inches long from the ends of the stems.

How often do you water Mexican tarragon?

Although Mexican tarragon plants are relatively drought tolerant, the plants are bushier and healthier with regular irrigation. Water only when the surface of the soil is dry, as Mexican tarragon won't tolerate consistently soggy soil. However, don't allow the soil to become bone dry.

How do you harvest Mexican tarragon?

Snip off the newer baby shoots of light green leaves. Tarragon produces new growth on the old woody branches. Once removed, wash the shoots with cool water and pat them dry gently. When you are ready to use them, you can remove the individual leaves by sliding your fingers down the length of the shoot.

What can I do with Mexican mint?

Mexican mint marigold has a sweet, anise flavor. Add the fresh leaves to chicken and fish dishes, soups and summer salads. You can preserve the flavor of the herb and create a tasty dressing by adding fresh Mexican mint marigold to vinegar. While it is possible to use the herb dry, the dried form loses a lot of flavor.

Which Tarragon is best?

Tarragon varieties

French tarragon has the best, most superior flavour, whereas Russian tarragon is hardier, but has a poorer flavour and only really worth growing in climates too cold for French tarragon to thrive.