How to Grow Huacatay from Seed
Welcome to Peruvian Roots Farm’s Growing Guides.
Here you’ll find step-by-step instructions to grow Peruvian and garden favorites—from seed to harvest. Each guide is written by our small family farm in Mansfield, Ohio, where every seed we share helps rescue and care for abandoned cats.
About Huacatay
Huacatay (Tagetes minuta), also called Peruvian black mint, is an aromatic herb essential in Peruvian cooking. Its fresh, slightly pungent leaves are used in sauces like ají de huacatay and in marinades, giving dishes a unique, traditional flavor.
Huacatay grows as a tender perennial in warm climates but is often grown as an annual in cooler zones. The plant grows upright and bushy, reaching 4-5 feet in height with a fragrant scent that attracts pollinators to your garden.
Growing Details
- Scientific name: Tagetes minuta
- Hardiness Zone: Best in Zones 9–11 (grow as annual in colder zones)
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Water needs: Moderate, regular watering
- Temperature: 65–80°F for healthy growth
- Days to harvest: 70–90 from seed
Step 1: Know Your Zone
Before planting, understand your USDA Hardiness Zone and frost dates. This helps you decide whether to grow Huacatay as a perennial or annual and when to start seeds indoors. If you’re unsure about your zone, check our guide How to Know Your Growing Zone.
In Zone 6 (Mansfield, Ohio), we start Huacatay seeds indoors in early spring or sow directly outdoors once the soil warms in April.
Step 2: Start Seeds Indoors or Direct Sow
Huacatay seeds are small and germinate slowly:
- Soil: Use light, well-draining seed-starting mix.
- Temperature: Keep soil around 70–75°F.
- Moisture: Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy.
- Time: Seeds usually germinate in 10–14 days.
For direct sowing, scatter seeds on prepared soil, lightly press them in, and keep the soil moist. Thin seedlings to 12–18 inches apart once they develop their first true leaves.
Step 3: Transplanting
If starting indoors, harden off seedlings for 5–7 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor sunlight and air. Plant in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. Space plants 12–18 inches apart to allow airflow and strong growth.
Step 4: Care and Harvest
- Watering: Moderate; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- Feeding: Apply compost or natural fertilizer once a month.
- Pruning: Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier growth.
- Harvesting: Begin harvesting leaves once the plant is 8–12 inches tall. You can trim the top leaves regularly; the plant will continue producing through the season.
Huacatay can be dried for later use or frozen in small portions for sauces and pastes.
Example from Our Farm
On our Mansfield, Ohio farm, we start Huacatay indoors in March and transplant in April after the last frost. By summer, the plants are full and fragrant, supplying fresh leaves for cooking and seed saving at the end of the season.
Final Thought
Huacatay is easy to grow once you understand your zone and planting timing. Growing it yourself reconnects you to traditional Peruvian flavors while adding a beautiful, aromatic herb to your garden.