Spice Tagetes [Tagetes lucida]

The perennial spice tagetes is a robust and little-known spice and medicinal plant. The Aztecs used this plant as a tea or for smoking because of its slightly psychedelic effect. It has a calming effect when used medicinally and prevents macular disease of the retina. Ideal for direct sowing, pot culture possible, sowing spring-summer, good for mixed culture, harvesting the flowers and leaves.

 Description 
The spice tagetes is a very old perennial spice and medicinal plant that originally comes from Mexico and is little known in Europe. The Aztecs used this plant because of its slightly psychedelic effect as a tea or for smoking in order to intensify dreams and perceive them more clearly. The frost-sensitive plant forms small, bright orange-yellow flowers that are visited by numerous insects. All parts of the plant are edible and have a distinct anise-fennel smell and taste and are used for salads, soups or casseroles. Thrives easily on all heavy soils.

 General information 
Plant family: Asteraceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 100 days
Plant height approx.: 70 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to 3°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich sandy loam soil

pH value: 5.5 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-25 °C
Germination time: 7-14 days
Plant and row spacing: 30x40 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: -
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing from March to September is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from May to July is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
Spice tagetes does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Spice tagetes is a plant loved by snails, this should be taken into account before sowing. The above-ground parts of the plant are very sensitive to frost, but the rootstock can tolerate lower temperatures for a short time. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, it is recommended to also incorporate biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds or root division.

 Plant care 
Regular watering results in faster growth. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Tagetes lucida
English names: Spice Tagetes, Spice marigold
German names: Gewürztagetes, Mexikanisches Traumkraut
Portuguese names: Tagetes lucida
Spanish names:
French names:

 Origin 
Country: Germany