Huacatay / Black Mint
Plant Size Guide
Huacatay Aka Black Mint
Tagetes Minuta
days to maturity: 60 days
plant spacing: 1 plant per square foot
sunlight requirements: 8-14 hours
look out for: spider mites
harvest notes: harvest by cutting main stem to encourage branching
annual
Huacatay, aka Peruvian Black Mint, is a rare marigold species that is actually very common in Peru, where it is the main ingredient of a chimichurri sauce called Aji De Huacatay. The flavor of the leaf is reminiscent of mint & basil with a hint of lemon and it compliments red meats well. Huacatay leaves are also brewed as a medicinal tea to treat colds, respitory inflammations or stomach problems. On top of this easy to grow plants culinary and medicinal properties its also “nematocidal” which means it REPELS ROOT KNOT NEMATODES! Nematodes are the scourge of most South Florida gardeners and the pungent oils repel them when the plant foliage is tilled into the soil. This method is called “biofumigation” and it doesn’t mean that if you plant the plant in your garden its existence will repel nematodes. Rather, you need to grow the plant, then till it into the soil fresh. As it decomposes it acts as a biofumigant to kill any nematodes present.
Thanks to the chefs at Alter restaurant in Wynwood (who introduced us to this plant) and our chef pal Sasha (who brought seeds back for us from a trip to Peru!) we are growing and sharing this unique herb with the community this season. We love it when customers from Peru show up and are browsing our plants and exclaim “huacatay!” when they see this plant in stock, as its very special and important to the culinary culture of Peru. We encourage you to give it a try if you’re an adventurous cook. We recommend making a chimi or a green goddess style dressing with its leaves.
Delivery Details
Delivery Details
When you place your order we head into our greenhouse to select the very best plants we have in stock for your garden. We label them with handwritten compostable wooden labels and pack them in recyclable boxes to keep them safe on their journey. Our delivery partners, Roadie, take it from there and head to the Redlands to pick up your order. Communication and tracking take place via Roadie and your driver will leave your plants in a safe and covered area.
Plant Care
Plant Care
When your plant delivery arrives, make sure you water your new plants thoroughly with a light spray of water (none of this thumb over the hose stuff). We recommend planting them within 10 days of receiving them. If you do intent to wait to plant them, we recommend placing them in a shallow reservoir (like a baking pan) and filling it with half an inch of water so they can drink the water from below while you are at work and place them in an area with plenty of sun. When planting in your garden always add a dash of Organic granular fertilizer, and give them extra water during their first week in their new home, while they adjust. We recommend disturbing the root ball as little as possible during planting.
About Our Plants
About Our Plants
All of our plants are grown in OMRI certified Organic materials (potting mix, fertilizer, seeds, etc.) and include Organic granular fertilizer, living locally-made compost, and have been cared for with healthy microorganisms from compost tea and microbial inoculants. We only use organic pesticides when needed. We only stock varieties that we have experience growing and that are season and climate appropriate for South Florida. Our curated inventory is simple enough for a beginner and interesting enough to keep an advanced gardeners attention, with new and rare varieties being added weekly.
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Clients Love Us
"Smooth, seamless experience. Professional packaging and delivery. I have two healthy plants... life is good."
"What a wonderful experience. Great customer service, and so helpful with all my questions and very accommodating. Would definitely recommend and will be buying again in the future."
“Healthy foliage when this plant arrived, and pushed out a bloom less than two weeks after being planted. Excellent!”
"As always, awesome customer service, large healthy plants!! Thank you so much!!"
Now Little River Nursery & Little River Gardens
Two new names, one guiding vision; to empower people through food and ecology. For more information on our garden installation services visit the Little River Gardens website.