", "Explains in detail the process of growing garlic and other plants. (In my own garden, where we sometimes don’t have a killing frost before the first of November, I have some early flowering). Pick mint by snipping off stems and leaves above a leaf cluster. Delight your taste buds, mind and eyes with beautiful photos and inspirational techniques on everything you need to know to grow, preserve and cook your own heirloom fruits and vegetables. Otherwise it’s trouble-free. 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. Typically, you can harvest a larger harvest of mint about three times a season. There are many different species of mints, and even more cultivars to choose from, but the most commonly grown are peppermint and spearmint. Mexican mint marigold has a lot to offer. This very ancient herb goes by a variety of common, but somewhat confusing names. Sow the Mexican mint marigold seed in early spring indoors and transplant into the garden after danger of frost, or direct-sow in the garden; you can also grow it in a patio container. Common names: Mexican mint marigold, Mexican tarragon, Spanish tarragon, Texas tarragon Botanical names: Tagetes lucida General information: This compact perennial looks similar to marigolds, but is often listed as a substitute for French tarragon. The leaves have a similar anise-like flavor and can be used in soups, or for fish, chicken salad, and other dishes calling for tarragon. While Mexican mint marigold is said to be hardy in Zones 8 to 11, from my own experience it will grow easily in Zones 6 and 7, if mulched well in the fall. Do I need to keep the bottle in a sunny place or should the mint leaves stay out of the water? . ", was looking for. Repot a portion in the same container using fresh compost. It is recommended to start the herb seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost date. Thanks to this, "My mint is in a pot and growing like crazy. To get the … wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. You should add a water-retaining polymer to the potting soil so that it stays moist and doesn't dry up. Try to plant mint away from other plants because it spreads easily and can quickly take over a small herb garden. Don't confuse French tarragon, which is used for cooking, with false or Russian tarragon! The plant has no persistent insect pests (an occasional grasshopper will taste a leaf) and when in flower, butterflies visit. The plant reaches 15 to 20 inches in height and about as broad. Approved. I love eating flowers. A larger width might be good if you’d like to plant a variety of different mints together. If you're planting multiple seedlings, plant them 6 inches apart to give them plenty of growing space! Make sure to look for pests under the leaves of the plants, too. • Organic gardening tips to improve your health and wellness Then, get a pot with holes on the bottom that is at least 12 inches in diameter and some nutrient-rich soil that your plant will thrive in. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The Latin name, Tagetes lucida, refers to its other Tagetes relatives, the marigolds. You can also wash your leaves with insecticidal soap. It is an easy-growing plant with many uses, including being used in tea, in chocolate, or as a savory seasoning. Leave at least one leaf cluster on each main mint stem. The leaves have a fragrance similar to anise or licorice. Mint marigold is a perennial, native to Central and South America and has been used as a seasoning herb, tea plant and medicinal in native cultures for more than a thousand years. Make sure that you change the water every four to five days to prevent rot. Winter Herbal Remedies from the Medicinal Garden, Fabled Heirloom Potatoes from the High Andes. Don’t miss a single issue of Mother Earth Gardener. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you see flowers, cut them off to preserve the quality of the leaves. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Survival Skills, Garden Planning, Seed Saving, Food Preservation, Natural Health – Dozens of courses, 100+ workshops, and interactive Q&As. unlocking this expert answer. I am confident I will be able to grow mint now. You can also use pearlite or vermiculite instead of a polymer. Do I cut the old stems down to the ground now? Use it to spice up veggies such as carrots, peas, and potatoes. Thanks so much! In summer, give it a weekly deep watering. 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. La Casa de Moneda de México is the national mint of Mexico and is the oldest mint in the Americas.. Can I grow mint in a shady part of the garden? Give plants plenty of water, especially during hot, dry weather. The flavor is anise-like, a bit sweeter than ‘French’ tarragon, but used in some of the same ways as that herb. • Special discounted prices on tools, kits, and hands-on resources in the Mother Earth Gardener Store Mexican mint marigold is sometimes marketed in the American South as French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. Mint is a perennial herb that regrows every year. However, it is very useful as a flavorful culinary herb and the plants can certainly be grown without much care. Use them in drinks such as iced tea, punch, or lemonade. As far as bang for your buck, you don’t get better than growing your own herbs. Mint is a tasty, versatile herb that can spice up a fruit salad, lamb or fish dish, or even a glass of iced tea or a cocktail. Keep reading to learn more about how to grow Mexican oregano and Mexican oregano plant care. Mexican mint marigold does well in regions where French tarragon struggles. ", "Wanted to know if mint would spread and also where to purchase it. • Access to exclusive online content -- seasonal recipes, organic pest control & more. Reapply the fertilizer every three months throughout the plant's active growing season. This is a place where they like to hide. Keep your potted mint from draping down into your garden or into other containers filled with other plants. It thrives in the hot, humid South, where many herbs languish; its small, bright flowers blossom in fall when other herbs have played out for the season; its licorice-anise flavor is a successful stand-in for French tarragon; and it looks good in the garden. Now that I know it will spread, I just might find a nice spot for it in, "Everything given here was well understood and clear. Choose an area that receives morning sun and partial afternoon shade. In other climates, Mexican tarragon plants are often grown as annuals. First time visiting and impressed with the way they guide you through the process. Separate them into bundles secured with some string or a rubber band or spread them on a flat surface. ", "You answered most of my questions. Cover the cup with a saucer to hold in the steam while the hot water extracts the flavor. Direct seed: After the last frost, sow 1/4" deep. 3 Over a season, mint will the container and become root-bound. Fill the container with a 50/50 mix of ordinary multi-purpose compost and John Innes No. Mint can grow 12 to 18 inches in height once matured. The plant requires all-day sunshine and will grow anywhere tomatoes, peppers or basil will grow. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If you have the right conditions, mint’s the easiest plant to grow in the world. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Try this Fresh Corn Pudding Recipe using Mexican mint marigold leaves. It is somewhat drought tolerant, but you will get better growth and fuller plants by watering occasionally. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. Dried leaves are used in soups, sauces and main dishes. References a small seedling or rooted sprig in fertile soil where it can receive morning sun and partial afternoon shade. It’s also important to separate each variety as Mints are prone to cross pollination. Peppermint helps keep mice and spiders away from the house so knowing where/how to plant it is super beneficial! If you want to air-dry your mint, then you should hang the stems upside down. Very helpful indeed. "It's an informative, to-the-point, and wholesome article. Spice up salads such as fruit salads, fig and radish salads, or walnut and goat cheese salads. I loved it for the good organization and precise, "This was very helpful; step-by-step instructions with different options for planting the plant is exactly what I, "Was not aware of how invasive the plant can be. In other climates, Mexican tarragon plants are often grown as annuals. sativa).Southerners do not argue about this, because they know that true tarragon does not grow well in the heat and humidity of Southern summers. Become a Preferred Subscriber and start enjoying the benefits today! The plant expands into a small clump in the second year and can withstand temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit, provided it has 6 to 12 inches of straw mulch piled on the plant after the first frost in the fall. Plant Mexican tarragon in well-drained soil, as the plant is likely to rot in wet soil. Plant your mint in the pot and insert several wooden dowels next to the plant to give it support as it grows. For a more unique variety, consider white peppermint, chocolate mint, apple mint, bergamot mint, basil mint, lemon mint, lime mint, or curly mint, among others. ", "It helped me know more about the mint plant I bought. Mint is invasive, meaning that it will spread quickly if in the correct environment. Problems Occasionally, spider mites, mealybugs, leaf spots, and root rot will occur. ", "The article helped in understanding how mint grows. In zones 7b through 8a, however, it’s only root hardy. For tips on harvesting your mint, read on! Support wikiHow by To grow mint in a pot, start by getting a mint seedling from your local nursery or garden store because it is difficult to grow mint from seed. Constant water can keep Mint from drying out, so keep the soil moist but do not over water the plants. Propagation Divide in spring or take stem-tip cuttings anytime. How to grow Mexican Bush Marigold (Tagetes lemmonii). Mexican mint marigold is an attractive plant in the landscape, as well. Thank you. You need an actual cutting where roots can appear. Varieties of mint (Mentha) are some of the easiest and most popular herbs to grow.Plants in the mint family are very hardy perennials with vigorous growth habits. Mint. Mix the fertilizer granules into the top 3 inches of soil with a rake or garden fork. 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. How to Grow Mexican Mint from Seed. "Mexican mint marigold" is the most common, but you’ll also find it listed as Texas tarragon, Mexican’ tarragon, cloud plant, coronilla, winter tarragon, sweet mace, sweet marigold and Spanish tarragon. This method also creates a bushier, shorter plant (a good thing) because the mint is forced to branch off and grow more leaves. Seed germination takes 5 to 15 days. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Add water to the glass as necessary. (USA only), • 1 year of Mother Earth Gardener magazine both print and digital Growing Mexican Oregano Plants. In … Thank you very much. For tips on harvesting your mint, read on! # 1 | Start your mexican mint indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring, sow your Mexican mint in a flat 1/4" deep and 1" apart. Mexican mint has many colloquial names including Spanish thyme, French thyme, Ajwain Patta, Karpooravalli, country borage, and so on. Very helpful! Unlike French tarragon, it doesn’t retain its best flavor when dried, ‘mint’ marigold dries quite well. You can also plant mint in its own raised bed container, on a bare spot in your garden that you would like to fill in, or section off part of your garden with bricks or timbers to create a barrier for the mint. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 619,609 times. Think I may grow a pot for next season. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Grow-Mint-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Mint-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Grow-Mint-Step-1.jpg\/aid2163297-v4-728px-Grow-Mint-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"