Mexican mint marigold designated as a Texas Superstar
Low-maintenance ornamental plant doubles as a kitchen herb
The Mexican mint marigold, the newest Texas Superstar plant, is a hardy, easy-to-grow herb and popular herbaceous ornamental perennial.
Its licorice-scented foliage and bright yellow or orange-yellow flowers attract pollinators to your landscape in late summer and autumn, said Michael Arnold, Ph.D., professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University and Texas Superstar executive board member.
Mexican mint marigold, Tagetes lucida, also known as anise marigold, Mexican tarragon, Spanish tarragon or sweet mace, was originally popular as a kitchen herb to season fish, chicken or tossed salads. Native to Central America, the plant is an excellent addition to herb, kitchen, cottage or scent gardens, Arnold said.
A hardy plant with few shortcomings
Arnold said homeowners find that Mexican mint marigold is a low-maintenance addition to gardens and landscapes.
“Typically, we don’t see a lot of disease or pest problems with the Mexican mint marigold,” Arnold said. “The main requirement is planting in a well-drained location to avoid root rot.”
The Mexican mint marigold grows best in full sun and can tolerate partial shade, but there will be some reduction in flowering. It is moderately drought and heat-tolerant and can grow in various soil types if well-drained and water requirements are met.
Growing Mexican mint marigold
Mexican mint marigolds can be planted from seed in the spring and as container-grown plants in early spring through fall. Arnold said plants are usually available from local nurseries and occasionally found seasonally at local retail stores.
The plant’s foliage grows to 2-3 feet in height and width once mature. Its yellow or orange flowers blend well with other plants in perennial or mixed borders.
“It’s a nice companion plant for the Gregg’s blue mistflower, Conoclinium greggii; the Mexican bush sage, Salvia leucantha; or the Rio Grande globe amaranth, Gomphrena haageana,” Arnold said. “The color combinations of the yellow blooms with those of the blue mistflower, the purple bush sage or the red amaranth add a splash of color to the landscape throughout late summer and fall. It also provides strong late-season pollinator support.”
Mexican mint marigold will die back to the ground with the first freeze. Removing the spent foliage at the end of the growing season is the only pruning it requires.
Texas Superstar is a registered trademark owned by Texas A&M AgriLife Research. Plants are designated by the Texas Superstar executive board, which comprises nine horticulturists from AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
