How to Grow Tarragon: The Complete Beginner's Guide for a Flavorful Harvest

Looking to grow your own herbs and add something unique to your kitchen garden? Then learning how to grow tarragon is a great place to start. Known for its subtle licorice flavor and widely used in French cuisine, tarragon is a hardy perennial herb that’s surprisingly easy to grow with just a little care and attention. Whether you have a windowsill, balcony, or backyard garden, tarragon can thrive and enhance your cooking year-round.

What is Tarragon?

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a perennial herb that belongs to the sunflower family. It has narrow, elongated green leaves and a slightly sweet, anise-like flavor. This herb is a staple in French cooking, especially in dishes like Béarnaise sauce, chicken salad, tarragon vinegar, and more.

When it comes to growing tarragon, choosing the right variety is key:

Types of Tarragon:

French Tarragon – The most flavorful and best for culinary use. However, French tarragon is sterile, so it can only be propagated from cuttings or root division, not seeds.
Russian Tarragon – Easier to grow from seed and more tolerant of cold, but its flavor is less complex, often slightly bitter.
Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida) – Not a true tarragon, but often used as a substitute in warmer climates. It has a similar flavor and yellow marigold-like flowers.

Pro Tip: For cooking, always choose French tarragon. You can buy it as a small plant or get cuttings from a gardening friend or nursery.

The Best Conditions for Growing Tarragon

Before we dive into the planting process. Like many Mediterranean herbs, it loves sun and hates soggy soil.

let’s talk about the ideal growing conditions for tarragon

Key Growing Conditions:

Sunlight: Full sun is best—at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Soil: Well-drained, slightly sandy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5 to 7.5).
Watering: Moderate. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid waterlogging.
USDA Zones: French tarragon thrives in zones 4–8. In colder climates, protect it over the winter with mulch or grow it in containers that can be brought indoors.

How to Grow Tarragon: Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s walk through the actual process of growing tarragon, from planting all the way to harvesting.

1. Start with Cuttings or Transplants (for French Tarragon)

Because French tarragon doesn’t produce seeds, you’ll need a cutting, root division, or a nursery-grown transplant.

Plant in spring, after the last frost.
Space plants 18–24 inches apart to allow airflow and room for growth.
Choose a well-drained spot with full sun exposure.

For Russian tarragon, you can start seeds indoors about 6–8 weeks before the last frost and transplant them outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

2. Planting Tarragon in Containers (Optional)

Tarragon grows beautifully in containers, making it perfect for balconies or patios.

Use a pot at least 12 inches deep with good drainage holes.
Choose a light potting mix or add sand for extra drainage.
Place the container in a sunny location and don’t let the soil stay overly wet.

3. Water and Feeding Needs

Tarragon is fairly drought-tolerant once established, but during dry spells, it appreciates a regular drink.

Water deeply but infrequently to promote deep root growth.
During the growing season, feed with a diluted organic compost tea or balanced herb fertilizer once a month.

Too much fertilizer, especially high-nitrogen ones, can make tarragon grow large but dilute its flavor.

Caring for Your Tarragon Plant

Once your tarragon is growing, it doesn’t take much maintenance beyond watering and occasional pruning.

Pruning:

Pinch off the tips of stems regularly to encourage bushier growth.
Remove flower buds to keep the plant flavorful—as flowering can turn the leaves bitter.
After the growing season, cut back stems to 2–3 inches above ground level.

Overwintering:

In cold climates, mulch heavily to protect the roots.
For containers, bring the plant indoors to a sunny windowsill during winter months.

How to Harvest Tarragon

This is the most rewarding part! You can begin harvesting tarragon once the plant is well-established and has plenty of leafy growth.

Harvest Tips:

Pick fresh leaves in the morning for the best flavor.
Use scissors to snip leaves or cut entire stems.
Never remove more than one-third of the plant at a time to keep it productive.
You can dehydrate, freeze, or steep tarragon in vinegar or oils for later use.

Storage:

Fresh leaves can be stored in the fridge for a few days wrapped in a damp paper towel.
Dried tarragon retains a good amount of flavor—just hang bundles upside-down to air dry.

Common Problems When Growing Tarragon (And How to Fix Them)

While tarragon is generally pest-resistant and disease-free, here are a few things to watch for:

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Root rot	Yellowing, wilting	Improve drainage, allow soil to dry out
Aphids or spider mites	Sticky residue/leaves	Spray with water or use neem oil
Powdery mildew	White residue on leaves	Increase airflow, avoid overhead watering

Pro tip: Rotate your herbs each season to keep the soil healthy and nutrient-rich.

Final Thoughts on Growing Tarragon at Home

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or growing your first herbs, learning how to grow tarragon is a flavorful and fulfilling experience. With its fragrant leaves and low-maintenance nature, tarragon makes an excellent addition to any herb garden or kitchen container setup.

To recap:

Choose French tarragon for best taste.
Give it sun, well-drained soil, and light watering.
Harvest regularly and enjoy it fresh, dried, or in infusions.

Start with one plant, and you’ll likely be hooked by how much depth it adds to your cooking. Trust me—there’s nothing quite like snipping a few fresh tarragon leaves right before dinner.