RHS Growing Guides
How to grow tarragon
Our detailed growing guide will help you with each step in successfully growing Tarragon.
Getting Started
Tarragon is a
Harvest tarragon leaves from spring to autumn, taking the young shoot tips
Month by Month
Jobs to do now
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
Choosing
French and Russian tarragon like similar growing conditions, but differ in size, vigour and leaf flavour. They are both types of Artemisia dracunculus, and plants sold as either can be quite variable, which is reflected by their numerous synonyms. It’s well worth buying tarragon plants in person, so you can check their aroma before purchasing.
French tarragon has slender, upright growth, giving it a delicate, feathery appearance
Russian tarragon is a larger, tougher plant but its flavour is generally regarded as inferior
For inspiration on growing all kinds of herbs, visit the RHS gardens to see how they’re grown and compare the varieties and aromas.
What and where to buy
Russian tarragon seeds are available in garden centres and from online seed suppliers. French tarragon is shy to flower and set seed, so seeds are generally not available to buy. Young plants of both types are available in spring and summer from many gardening retailers and herb nurseries. One plant is usually enough for most needs, so buying a ready-grown plant is often the easier and quicker option.
Recommended Varieties
Excellent strong flavour with a hint of aniseed. May not survive winter wet and cold.
Hardy perennial with a mild peppery flavour. Likes full sun and good drainage.
Sowing
French tarragon is generally not available as seed, but Russian tarragon is easy to grow from seed in spring, either indoors or outside. Sow sparingly, as one plant is usually sufficient for most households.
Sowing indoors – in spring, sow a few seeds of Russian tarragon in a small pot of moist peat-free seed compost. Only lightly cover the seeds with a sprinkling of fine compost and place the pot somewhere warm and bright. When the seedlings have several leaves, move each one into an individual pot about 7.5cm (3in) in size. Keep them somewhere warm and bright, and water regularly. The young plants can be transplanted outside from late spring to early summer, once they are well rooted and growing strongly (see Planting below).
Sowing outdoors – you can sow Russian tarragon outdoors, directly into the ground or in a container. For best results, sow from mid-spring onwards, when the soil is starting to warm up. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with free-draining soil, or a large container filled with peat-free soil-based compost. Sow a few seeds on the surface and lightly cover them. Make sure the soil or compost doesn’t dry out, and seedlings should appear in a few weeks.
Planting
Grow French tarragon in a container, so it’s easy to move under cover in winter
Russian tarragon can be planted in the ground or in a container. French tarragon is best planted in a container, so it can be moved into a sheltered location, such as a greenhouse or porch, to protect it from wet and cold winter weather. If you have very free-draining soil and a sheltered garden, you could risk planting French tarragon in the ground.
Planting in the ground – choose a sheltered planting site in full sun with well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy or stays quite damp, especially in winter, plant in a container or raised bed instead, where drainage will be better. Space Russian tarragon at least 30cm (12in) from other plants, while less vigorous French tarragon can be spaced 20cm (8in) apart.
Planting in a container – choose a container that’s at least 20cm (8in) wide and deep for one plant. Make sure there are plenty of drainage holes in the base. Fill containers with a peat-free soil-based compost and mix in some horticultural grit (up to 25 per cent by volume) to improve drainage.
Plant Care
Once settled in, tarragon needs little maintenance, especially Russian tarragon. French tarragon usually requires some protection from wet UK winters. To prolong leaf harvests through summer, pinch out any stems with flower buds. Tarragon, especially French tarragon, is generally considered a short-lived perennial, so divide plants every few years or take cuttings to ensure you always have young, productive plants.
Watering
Water newly planted tarragon during dry spells in the first year after planting. Tarragon is drought tolerant once established and shouldn’t need additional watering when growing in the ground. In containers, the compost can dry out quickly, so check regularly over the summer and water if needed. Tarragon dislikes damp growing conditions, so take care not to overwater plants in containers or in the ground, especially in cooler weather.
Winter protection
French tarragon often suffers during UK winters due to the combination of cold and wet. It's best grown in a container, so it can be moved somewhere dry over winter, such as a greenhouse or porch. If you don't have anywhere suitable indoors, move pots to a more sheltered spot outside, such as near a building in a rain shadow. In sheltered locations with free-draining soil, it may survive in the ground. Covering the plant with a cloche will improve its chances.
Russian tarragon is a more robust plant and generally survives outside, unless the ground or compost becomes waterlogged. In high-rainfall areas, take the same precautions as suggested above for French tarragon.
Propagating
You can sow seeds of Russian tarragon (see Sowing above), or allow it to self-seed. There are a couple of methods of propagating tarragon vegetatively, meaning the new plants will be the same as the parent plant. This is especially useful with French tarragon that tends not to produce viable seed in the UK.
- Divide established clumps in spring. Do this every few years as tarragon is a short-lived perennial. Division is usually the easiest method of propagating French tarragon
- Softwood cuttings taken in summer from new growth
Cutting back
Harvesting
Tarragon is best used freshly picked but can be dried for later use
Problems
When tarragon is grown in suitably warm, sunny, well-drained conditions, it is generally healthy and trouble free. Russian tarragon is a vigorous and robust plant, but French tarragon tends to be more delicate (see Winter protection above). Tarragon is rarely troubled by diseases, but can be susceptible to rust and powdery mildew – see Common problems below for more information.
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.