Common Name:

General Information

Tagetes micrantha is an annual plant that can grow around 3 - 15cm tall, occasionally reaching 35cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is an excellent companion plant in the garden where it helps repel insect pests and secretions from the roots act as an insecticide on certain pests in the soil. An essential oil it produces is used in peerfumery.

Known Hazards

We have no information on this species, though other members of the genus have an irritant sap that can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

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Range

Southern N. America - Arizona to Texas, south to southern Mexico. An occasional casual in Britain[].

Habitat

Disturbed sites, moist soils in meadows, juniper woodlands, pine forests at elevations from 1,500 - 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Tagetes micrantha is not very resistant to frosts and needs to be grown as a half hardy annual in areas with cold winters.
Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[].
Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[].
Most members of this genus are very good companion plants, see 'Other Uses' below for more details[].
Plants are prone to slugs, snails and botrytis[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used as a remedy for stomach complaints, colds and fevers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Many members of this genus are widely used in companion planting schemes[]. Secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil, effective against nematodes and to some extent against keeled slugs. These secretions are produced about 3 - 4 months after sowing[]. These root secretions also have a herbicidal effect, inhibiting the growth of certain plants growing nearby. It has been found effective against perennial weeds such as Ranunculus ficaria (Celandine), Aegopodium podagraria Ground elder), Glechoma hederacea (Ground ivy), Agropyron repens (Couch grass) and Convolvulus arvensis (Field bindweed)[, ].

Other Uses

An essential oil distilled from the leaves and flowering stems, harvested when the plant is forming seeds, is used as an insect repellent[, ]. It is also used in perfumery[].

Dried plants can be hung indoors as an insect repellent[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.