Common Name: Muster-John-Henry

General Information

Tagetes minuta is an erect, annual herb growing around 120cm or more tall. Smaller and young plants are generally unbranched, larger plants usually produce branches[].
The plant has a range of medicinal uses and is grown in the gardens as an insect repellent.
The plant has escaped from cultivation and become a weed in many areas, including Hawaii and Australia. A noxious, rapidly growing herb, it forms a dense ground cover at higher elevations in Hawaii. The seeds cling to hair and are dispersed by domesticated and feral animals[].

Known Hazards

This species has an irritant sap that can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

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Range

S. America - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Ecuador. Naturalized in S. Europe[].

Habitat

Waste places and cultivated ground in S. Europe[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Tagetes minuta is mainly native to the subtropical zone of S. America, though it has spread through cultivation is is naturalized from the temperate zone to the tropics. It is not very resistant to frosts and need to be grown as a half hardy annual in temperate regions, where it requires a long growing season in order to ripen its seeds.
Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[].
Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[].
The whole plant is strongly aromatic[].
A very good companion plant, see 'Other Uses' below for more details[].
Plants are prone to slugs, snails and botrytis[].

Edible Uses

The dried leaves are used as an aromatic seasoning for soups and vegetables[]. They give an apple-like flavour[].

An essential oil obtained from the distilled plant, harvested when in flower, is used as a flavouring in ice cream, baked goods, soft drinks etc[, ].

Medicinal

The whole plant is anthelmintic, antispasmodic, aromatic, bitter, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, purgative and stomachic[, , ]. It is used internally in the treatment of gastritis, indigestion and internal worms[].
Externally, the plant is used to treat haemorrhoids and skin infections[]. It is effective, especially in the form of the extracted essential oil, for killing maggots in wounds[].
The plant is harvested when in flower and dried for later use[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This plant is 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.