French Tarragon

Asteraceae

Distinctive anise/licorice-flavored herb essential in French cuisine (béarnaise, fines herbes, tarragon vinegar). CRITICAL: French tarragon produces STERILE flowers and CANNOT grow from seed. Any 'tarragon seed' is Russian tarragon — coarse, bitter, culinarily worthless. Propagate ONLY by division or stem cuttings. Hardy zones 4-9 but wet winter soil kills it faster than cold. Excellent drainage is the #1 survival factor.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

60–80 days

Sun

6+ hours

6+ hours full sun

Spacing

18–24 "

Container

Yes

3+ gallon pot

Height

2–3 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Watering

Weekly Water 0.5–1 "

Needs Low-moderate

Soil

pH Range 6.3–7.5

Soil Type Well-drained REQUIRED

Resilience

Heat: Moderate Cold: Moderate-high Drought: High

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Light feeder

Harvest

Mature leaves with strong anise aroma. Peak flavor before flowering.

Sources

university Utah State Extension — French Tarragon university Illinois Extension — Tarragon

More Herbs

French Tarragon Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for French Tarragon vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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