Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is the fine anise-flavoured herb of French cuisine. The aromatic French tarragon is sterile and propagated only from cuttings. It likes things sunny, lean and above all well-drained — wet feet are its worst enemy.

Updated:
Tarragon plant with slender, lance-shaped green leaves

Important notes

ingestion of larger amounts by pets: Per ASPCA, toxic to cats, dogs and horses — the essential oils can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and may stress the liver with repeated ingestion. ↗

medicinal/large amounts, pregnancy: Tarragon contains estragole (and some thujone). Fine in culinary amounts — avoid concentrated tarragon oil, very large/medicinal amounts, and large amounts in pregnancy. ↗

Light

Full sun, warm and sheltered — that gives the strongest flavour. Indoors the brightest spot.

Watering

Water moderately and let the soil dry between waterings. Better too dry than too wet — waterlogging quickly causes root rot.

Temperature

Grows best at 18–26 °C; hardy, dies back in winter and re-sprouts in spring. French tarragon likes some protection in a cold winter.

Humidity

Drier to normal air (40–60%). No muggy, stagnant air.

Target values by method & stage

Soil
Stage pH EC (mS/cm) Water °C Air °C Humidity % Light h Duration (days)
Vegetative 6.5–7 — — 18–26 40–60 14 90
DWC
Stage pH EC (mS/cm) Water °C Air °C Humidity % Light h Duration (days)
Vegetative 5.8–6.5 1–1.8 18–22 18–24 40–60 14 70
NFT
Stage pH EC (mS/cm) Water °C Air °C Humidity % Light h Duration (days)
Vegetative 5.8–6.5 1–1.8 18–22 18–24 40–60 14 70

Common problems

Root rot from too much water or too rich a soil is the main issue. Too much feeding makes it straggly and less aromatic. Flavour declines if you don't divide it every 2–3 years.

Space & Size

Final height
75 cm
Final width
40 cm
Spacing
45 cm
Root depth
30 cm
Min. container (Soil)
≥ 5 L
Min. container (DWC)
≥ 4 L

Pests & diseases

Pest / Disease Symptom Organic treatment
Aphids sticky, distorted shoot tips rinse off, beneficials, neem
Whitefly white flies under leaves, sticky residue yellow sticky traps, beneficials
Root rot wilting, yellowing shoots in wet soil water less, ensure sharp drainage — tarragon hates wet feet
Powdery mildew white coating on leaves improve airflow, avoid overhead watering

Edible parts

  • Leaves · edible from Vegetative — main harvest — use fresh, flavour fades when dried

Yield techniques

Harvest the shoot tips regularly to keep it bushy. Keep it lean and dry for intense flavour. Divide and replant in spring every 2–3 years; cuttings root easily from the shoots.

Propagation & pollination

Method
cutting
Germination time
21 days
Germination temp
15-20 °C
Sowing depth
0 cm
Pollination
none
Hand pollination needed
no

Important: French tarragon is STERILE — propagate only by cuttings or spring division. Any seed on offer is Russian tarragon (hardier but much weaker flavour). Divide every 2–3 years to keep it vigorous.

Companion planting

🟢 Good neighbours: Tomato

Not yet linked: Solanum melongena, Capsicum annuum

Flavor

delicate anise/licorice, sweet with a slight peppery note

Storage

In the fridge wrapped in damp paper; freezes well. Use fresh — drying loses much of the flavour.

History

The name 'dracunculus' means 'little dragon' — for its serpentine roots, once believed to cure bites. Today tarragon is a classic of French cuisine: in fines herbes, sauce béarnaise and tarragon vinegar.

Nutrition

Low in calories; provides some vitamin A and manganese; traditionally stimulates appetite and digestion.

Sources

Florabase

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