How to Grow Tarragon Herb Plants

About Growing Tarragon Plants in Your Herb Garden

Tarragon plants are native to dry, rocky areas of Asia, Europe, Russia, and North America. It is closely related to U.S. Sagebrush. Tarragon herbs thrive in poor, dry, barren soils in areas with warm days and nights. This guide describes how to grow Tarragon. It is a great addition to your herb garden.

The leaves of this aromatic and culinary herb are thin and blade-like, with a pointed tip. It produces drooping flowers in mid-summer.

Tarragon is grown for its aromatic leaves that are used in a variety of culinary recipes, most notably in flavoring vinegar.

Medicinal and Culinary Uses

Medicinal Uses:

This herb stimulates the appetite and digestive process. An infusion or tea made of Tarragon eases flatulence and intestinal distension. (I’m all for that)

Culinary Uses:

Tarragon is a popular culinary herb, most notably in French cuisine. Tarragon is best known for flavoring vinegar. But it is also used to spice up salads, meats, vegetables, sauces, mayonnaise, cheese, and omelets. Also, Tarragon herbs to help to take the fishy taste out of …….fish.

Did you Know? Tarragon is used in making Dijon Mustard

Nutritional Value

100 g of dried, ground Tarragon leaves contain approximately:

295 calories
50.2 g carbs
0 cholesterol
7.2 g fat
7.4 g fiber
22.8 g protein
62 mg sodium

Tarragon Herb Plant Growing Specifications

Flowers Bloom: Summer

Flower Colors: Dull yellow, yellow-orange.

Days to Harvest: Late spring to early summer before the flowers bloom.

Plant Height: Two to four feet tall. Some varieties can grow up to six feet tall.

Light Needs: Full sunlight to partial shade.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.5– 7.5.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 4 – 9.

Ideal Growing Temperature Range: 60 to 80° F. This plant is cold hardy to -20° F in the winter.

Plant Type: Perennial. The plant normally lives approximately 3 – 5 years.

Number of Varieties: There are three major categories, each with a number of varieties: French, Russian, and Mexican.

Deer Resistant? Yes. Deer and other foraging animals do like the scent.

Native To: Asia and Europe.

Botanical Name: Artemisia Dracunculus

How to Propagate Tarragon Plants

Tarragon is most commonly grown from the division of the roots. You can also propagate it by rooting small, vigorous cuttings in the spring. True French Tarragon is not grown from seed. It is a root variety, with a strong aromatic value.

Some varieties you can grow from seed are commonly carried by seed suppliers. The most popular are Russian and Sweet Tarragon. These varieties are less aromatic than root varieties but have a great culinary quality.

Seed Planting Depth: 1/4 inch deep or less.

Ideal Seed Germination Temperature: 70 to 75° F.

Days to Germination: 10 – 14 days.

Final Plant Spacing: Space seedlings, or thin plants 10 to 12 inches apart, in rows 2 feet apart.

Days to Maturity: 80-90 days

How to Grow Tarragon Herb Plants

Planting and Soil Needs

Being native to prairies, and rocky, barren environments, Tarragon is at home, growing in the poorest area of your garden. It needs full sun for optimum growth. They prefer dry, rocky, gravel, or sandy soil.

The plants need a warm, dry environment, both day and night. Start seedlings indoors well before the last frost in your area. Then, transplant the seedlings outdoors when the weather warms.

Once started, established plants grow well for years with little or no attention.

Light Requirement

Select a location in your garden where the plants will receive at least six to eight hours of bright, direct sun. They grow best in a location that receives morning sun, but light, partial shade in the afternoon.

In hotter areas of the country, Tarragon plants shade in the afternoon to protect the leaves from scalding in the rays of the hot sun. As the temperature rises above 80° F, the plant begins to wilt.

However, too little sunlight results in leggy plants, less vigorous plants, and pale leaves with less oil content. As a result, in hotter areas, you need to balance the level of sunlight.

Fertilizer Needs

Tarragon plants are not big feeders. Rather, they grow best in average soil with little or no extra fertilizer. First, give them a high-nitrogen fertilizer once at the start of the season to promote quick growth. Then, you do not need add fertilizer to this plant in most soils.

However, when grown in very poor soil, add a little balanced, general-purpose fertilizer once or twice during the season.

Water Needs

Tarragon plants perform their best when the soil is slightly dry. It should be slightly moist, but definitely not wet. Wet soil encourages fungus growth and root rot.

First, allow the soil to dry between watering. Then, water deeply as the roots grow deep. Apply water directly to the roots. Watering in the morning hours is preferable. Avoid getting the leaves wet if possible as this encourages powdery mildew and other plant disease.

Other Steps

Weeds rob valuable water and soil nutrients. Therefore, keep young Tarragon plants well-weeded. Then, after they have grown several inches, apply a layer of mulch. This helps to retain soil moisture and gives the plant a neat and tidy appearance. As the compost decomposes, it feeds the plant, too.

Pick flower buds as soon as they appear. Like many other herb plants, the leaves turn bitter after the flowers bloom.

Prune away dead, damaged, or diseased leaves or stems. At the end of the season, cut the plants back by 1/3 to 1/2.

The plants are hardy and do not need much winter protection, if any. In colder regions, apply a layer of mulch to protect the roots from freezing.

Insect and Plant Disease Problems

Insect and disease problems are uncommon. However, they do sometimes occur.

Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies may occasionally infest the plants. Treat the plant with an organic insecticidal soap if problems arise.

Foraging animals do not bother these herbs.

Tarragon herbs are susceptible to downy and powdery mildew. Prune plants to improve air circulation. Use organic fungicides only if needed.

Avoid root rot by using loose, well-draining soil. Increase drainage, as needed. Before planting, elevate the soil.

Also, see: Plant Problems – causes and cures

Harvesting and Drying Tarragon Leaves

Harvest leaves and use fresh, as needed, in the summer. Pick Tarragon leaves in the morning when their oils are the strongest. First, wait until the dew has dried off the leaves. Use sharp pruning shears to cut off the leaves. As autumn arrives, harvest them in the morning when the oils are at their peak. Cut the stems off near the ground. Next, spread leaves out to dry in a cool, well-ventilated area. Or, hang the stems upside down to dry in a cool, well-ventilated area. After the leaves are dry, remove them from the stems. Finally, store them in an air-tight container out of direct sunlight.

Or, pick and freeze the leaves immediately.

Cut back plants after blooming, to promote new growth.