Asteraceae
Muster John Henry (Tagetes minuta)
Tagetes minuta
Very easy: full sun, almost any well-drained soil and little water once established. It is an annual that sprouts in spring, flowers in late summer and autumn and dies with the cold, leaving plenty of seed. Not frost hardy. Wear gloves when handling and watch the seed so it does not spread.
Every 7 days
Direct sun
1° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Muster John Henry?
Muster John Henry (Tagetes minuta) is a easy-care plant from the Asteraceae family. Tagetes minuta, known as Muster John Henry, southern marigold, stinking Roger or huacatay, is an annual herb in the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to southern South America and now naturalized on every continent. It grows upright and fast, from 0.6 to over 2 m tall, with finely divided leaves dot...
Muster John Henry grows up to 2.5m, spread of 50cm, watering every 7 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Muster John Henry tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Muster John Henry is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Muster John Henry?
TLDR: Muster John Henry needs Direct sun, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 1-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Muster John Henry?
Keep seedlings lightly moist. Once established, water about once a week in dry weather; it tolerates drought and poor soil. Avoid waterlogging.
How Much Light Does Muster John Henry Need?
Full sun is best; it accepts light part shade but grows taller and floppier in low light. Not a houseplant.
What Is the Best Soil for Muster John Henry?
Grows in clay, sand or ordinary garden soil, acid or alkaline, as long as it drains. No fertilizer needed; very rich soil makes it overly tall and less aromatic.
What Pot Should You Use for Muster John Henry?
Best planted in the ground. In a container, use a deep pot of at least 30 cm with a drainage hole and a stake, since the plant tops 1.5 m.
What Is Muster John Henry and Where Does It Come From?
Tagetes minuta, known as Muster John Henry, southern marigold, stinking Roger or huacatay, is an annual herb in the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to southern South America and now naturalized on every continent. It grows upright and fast, from 0.6 to over 2 m tall, with finely divided leaves dotted with oil glands that release a strong scent when touched. In late summer and autumn it bears clusters of tiny pale yellow to whitish flower heads. In many regions, including Brazil, it springs up as a weed of fields and waste ground. It still has many uses: its roots release compounds that suppress soil nematodes, so it is grown as a green manure; its essential oil goes into perfumes and soft drinks; and in Peru and Bolivia the leaves, called huacatay, flavour dishes such as ocopa sauce. Contact with the leaves can irritate the skin.
How to Propagate Muster John Henry?
Sowing seed
One plant makes a lot of seed and self-sows freely; remove spent flowers before they shed seed if you do not want it to turn weedy. Its roots can hold back delicate herbs planted too close.
- 1 Sow after the last frost, once the soil is warm, directly outdoors or in a tray.
- 2 Cover the seed with 2-3 mm of soil and keep lightly moist.
- 3 At 20-25 °C it germinates in 5 to 10 days.
- 4 Thin to 30-60 cm between plants.
Materials needed:
How Big Does Muster John Henry Grow?
TLDR: Muster John Henry can reach up to 2.5m tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
2.5m
Spread
50cm
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Deciduous
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Edible
Can be consumed
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Aromatic
Pleasant fragrance
Medicinal Uses
- Widely used in folk medicine in Brazil; studies investigate antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal and antioxidant activity. Not a substitute for medical advice.
Culinary Uses
- Fresh or dried leaves (huacatay) flavour Andean sauces such as Peruvian ocopa.
- The leaves are brewed as a tea.
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
Fun Facts
Its roots release compounds that suppress soil nematodes, so it is used as a green manure.
In Peru the leaves, called huacatay, are the key flavour of ocopa sauce.
Its essential oil, sold as tagetes oil, is used in perfumes and soft drinks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tagetes minuta the same as a garden marigold?
Is Muster John Henry toxic?
How often should I water it?
How do I grow Tagetes minuta?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
