Politics · Mexico · 2 hrs ago
Mexico City seeks heritage status for cempasúchil cultivation
Mexico City’s Congress has asked the city’s Culture Secretariat to begin recognizing cempasúchil cultivation as biocultural heritage.
The request covers both the flower and the agricultural and cultural knowledge tied to growing it.
The move aims to protect farming practices passed down through generations and recognize the flower’s place in Mexican identity.
Cempasúchil is central to Day of the Dead offerings, where it has been used in traditions shaped by Indigenous and Catholic practices.
In 2026, the city produced a record 10 million plants, grown with the participation of 597 producers.
Sales bring in an estimated more than 100 million pesos a year for 460 farming families in Xochimilco, Tláhuac and Milpa Alta.
The proposal also calls for direct sales, fairs and commercial corridors, and a local observance of October 30 as Cempasúchil Flower Day; the recognition process is the next step.
Mexico City’s Congress has asked the local Culture Secretariat to begin a process to declare cempasúchil cultivation and related agricultural and cultural knowledge biocultural heritage.
The proposal aims to protect the flower’s historical and agroecological value and preserve farming practices passed between generations.
Mexico City produced a record 10 million plants in 2026, nearly 57% more than the previous year.
Sales generate an estimated annual economic benefit of more than 100 million pesos for 460 producer families.
The proposal also seeks to promote direct sales, fairs and commercial routes, and to make October 30 the official Day of the Cempasúchil Flower.
- Who
- Mexico City’s Congress asked the local Culture Secretariat to begin the heritage designation process. Morena lawmaker Judith Venegas Tapia explained the proposal.
- What
- The proposal seeks to declare cempasúchil cultivation and associated agricultural and cultural knowledge biocultural heritage.
- When
- The city reached record production in 2026. The date of the Congress’s request is not stated.
- Where
- Mexico City, including the producer areas of Xochimilco, Tláhuac and Milpa Alta.
- Why
- Supporters say the designation would protect the flower’s historical and agroecological value, recognize cultural identity and preserve farming knowledge.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- 2026 production
- 10 million plants
- Year-on-year increase
- Nearly 57% above 2025
- Producers
- 597
- Annual sales impact
- More than 100 million pesos
- Producer families
- 460 in Xochimilco, Tláhuac and Milpa Alta
- Proposed flower day
- October 30
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What people are saying
El cempasúchil es memoria, identidad, tradición y resultado del trabajo de miles de manos campesinas que mantienen vivas nuestras raíces