Spice Tagetes [Tagetes lucida]

The spice tagetes is a very old perennial spice and medicinal plant and originally comes from Mexico and is little known in Europe. The Aztecs used this plant because of its slightly psychedelic effects as a tea or for smoking to intensify dreams and perceive them more clearly. The frost-sensitive plant produces small, bright orange-yellow flowers that are visited by numerous insects. All parts of the plant are edible and have a distinct aniseed-fennel smell and taste and are used in 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 eater
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to 3 °C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, loamy, sandy, humus

pH value: 5.5 to 7

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

Optimal mixed culture: 
Unfavorable mixed culture: 

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Sow directly outdoors from March to September or pre-cultivate in small pots from January to September.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow directly outdoors from May to July or pre-cultivate in small pots from March to July.

General
Sow directly in rows. When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible marigold leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Gewürztagetes prefers a sunny to semi-shady location protected from the wind with a permeable, humus-rich and sandy loam soil. Prepare the soil with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
Spice tagetes is a plant loved by snails, keep this in mind before planting. Above-ground parts of the plant are very sensitive to frost, but the rootstock can tolerate lower temperatures in the short term. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds or through root division.

Plant care
Regular watering causes faster growth. Beds prepared with animal manure and planting in mixed culture replace additional fertilizer.

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

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