Sweet Mace-Mexican Tarragon

[honu]

It's actually in the marigold family, Tagetes lucida.
I love this plant -- no pests or disease problems, and edible flowers and leaves add a nice anise flavor to salads and teas:

[Suze]

No spider mite or whitefly problems with this one? Are you sure? Wonder if it attracts thrips?

Pretty plant.

[honu]

Thanks Suze. I love the fragrance released when I brush against it.
So far, crossing my fingers, no evidence of spidermites or whitefly or anything else on this plant... but of course, that can change at any time.
The spidermites are probably too busy attacking my tomato plants, mints, and basil.

[jan]

Pretty plant; thanks for posting it, honu!

Now, can I ship you a deer to see if she eats it? ;-P

~jan, looking through the herb books tonight to plan for the spring

[celticman]

It is easy to grow comes back in zone 7/8 were I live and is an all around nice herb to grow
Celtic

[blatanna]

We use Tagates as a companion plant alongside our tomatoes to ward off greenfly and whitefly. We also use Calandula, another member of the Marigold family for the same purpose.It works very well especially in the greenhouse.

[DavidinCT]

Ordered seeds last week to put in pots with Orange Pixie, Canary Yellow and Balconi (red and yellow) tomatoes. Seed Savers Exchange mentions Southwestern chefs make a pesto out of Sweet Mace. Anyone know of a recipe? Haven't found one on the net. Wonder if it is simply substitued for basil or needs to be toned down with something else and what it's served with.

[honu]

Wonder if it is simply substitued for basil or needs to be toned down with something else and what it's served with.

DavidinCT, Sweet Mace has an anise flavor. I would not use it as a basil substitute. Some use it as a tarragon substitute in places like here, where it is too hot & humid for tarragon to grow.