Description
Bring bold flavor and timeless herbal magic to your garden with a live Tarragon plant. This fragrant perennial is a must-have for any culinary herb collection, prized for its delicate, anise-like flavor that elevates everything from roasted vegetables to homemade vinegars and classic French sauces.
It is available in a 3.5” pot ready to thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, returning year after year with minimal care, making it both beautiful and practical. Beyond the kitchen, it is cherished for its gentle digestive and mood-soothing properties.
Add a touch of elegance and versatility to your herb garden with this aromatic powerhouse!
About Tarragon
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a hardy perennial that belongs to the daisy family. It is native to Eurasia and is known for its slender lance-shaped leaves and subtle green hues.
Tarragon flourishes in full sun and well-drained soil, growing up to 2-3 feet tall with delicate, branching stems. Its aromatic oil contain estragole which gives tarragon its distinctive sweet, licorice-like scent and taste. Medicinally, it has been valued for its mild sedative effects that helps with anxiety and promotes restful sleep. It also helps with digestion, relieving poor appetite, and reducing bloating thanks to its carminative properties. Some herbalists have used it topically to soothe minor aches and pains, as its essential oils may offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
How to Use Tarragon
Tincture: Fresh or dried tarragon leaves are chopped and soaked in grain alcohol for 4 to 6 weeks to extract their aromatic and digestive-supportive properties, resulting in a flavorful, slightly bittersweet tincture
Tea: Dried tarragon leaves are steeped in hot water for about 10 minutes to create a light, licorice-scented tea traditionally used to calm the nerves, ease digestion, and gently support restful sleep.
Salve: Tarragon-infused oil—made by macerating dried leaves in a carrier oil such as olive or sunflower oil—is gently heated and blended with beeswax to create a soothing salve, ideal for minor aches or as a fragrant massage balm.
Vinegar infusion: Dried tarragon leaves are immersed in apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar for 2 to 4 weeks. The infusion is shaken regularly, developing into a vibrant herbal vinegar that can be used in dressings, marinades, or taken by the spoonful to stimulate digestion.
Tarragon - Live Plant Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tarragon an annual or perennial plant?
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a tender perennial plant in most climates, meaning it will come back year after year in zones 5 to 8, but may not survive harsh winters in colder regions without protection.
How much space should be needed to grow Tarragon?
Tarragon plants need about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) of space between each plant to allow for good air circulation and healthy growth. They can grow up to 2–3 feet tall and about 1–2 feet wide, so giving them room helps prevent overcrowding and reduces the risk of fungal issues. If you're growing in containers, choose a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep to accommodate the root system.
What zone does Tarragon grow in?
French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) thrives best in USDA Zones 5 to 8 as a perennial, returning each year with proper care. In colder zones (Zone 4 and below), it may not survive harsh winters without protection, so it's often grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.
When should I harvest Tarragon?
You should harvest tarragon just before it flowers, typically in late spring through summer, when the leaves are at their most flavorful and aromatic. For its very first harvest, wait until the plant is about 6–8 inches tall before harvesting for the first time.
Does Tarragon flower or fruit?
It rarely flowers and almost never sets seed. When it does flower, the blooms are small, greenish, and not particularly showy. Because it’s sterile, it must be propagated by cuttings or root division.