Mexican Mint Marigold in Zone 10a & 10b

Tagetes lucida

Yes, Mexican mint marigold grows in zones 10a and 10b. Start seeds indoors Dec 12–Dec 19 and plant out Feb 6–Feb 13.

When to plant Mexican mint marigold in zone 10b

Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.

Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.

Start indoorsDec 12–Dec 19
Direct sow / transplant outsideFeb 6–Feb 13
Estimated harvestApr 22–Apr 29 (~75 days after transplanting)

Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5 ft.

Plant alongside it in zone 10b

These go outside within two weeks of Mexican mint marigold in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.

Mexican Mint Marigold
Photo: (c) 2005 Zubro via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped.

Mexican mint marigold is a tender perennial herb whose anise-scented leaves stand in for French tarragon, a plant that struggles badly in hot, humid climates where this one thrives instead.

How Mexican mint marigold fits zone 10's season

Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Mexican mint marigold needs about 75 days from transplant to first harvest.

Mexican Mint Marigold planting windows in every zone

Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.

ZoneStart indoorsSow or plant outHarvest
8a & 8bFeb 4–Feb 11Apr 1–Apr 8Jun 15–Jun 22
9a & 9bDec 28–Jan 4Feb 22–Mar 1May 8–May 15
10a & 10b (your zone)Dec 12–Dec 19Feb 6–Feb 13Apr 22–Apr 29
11a & 11bNov 13–Nov 20Jan 8–Jan 15Mar 24–Mar 31

Harvest dates are about 75 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.

Good companions

No well-established companions for Mexican mint marigold.

Where to buy Mexican mint marigold seeds

None of the seed suppliers we list carries Mexican mint marigold seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.

See why we recommend these suppliers →

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See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing Mexican mint marigold" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Growing Mexican Mint Marigold in USDA zone 10b

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Growing Mexican Mint Marigold in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.

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