Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, tarragon is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing tarragon.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Tarragon Belong To?
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) belongs to the Asteraceae family, also known as the daisy family.
Some of its relatives include artichokes, dahlias, and echinacea.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Tarragon?
The minimum container depth recommended for tarragon is 6 inches.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Tarragon?
Some of tarragon's best companions are as follows:
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Tarragon?
Tarragon is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with tarragon are as follows:
- Fennel
- Marshmallow
- Watercress
- Celery
What Soil Conditions Does Tarragon Need?
Tarragon prefers light, well-draining, sandy soil with a pH of 6.2 to 8.0.
How Long Does Tarragon Take to Germinate?
Tarragon takes 1-2 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 60-80°F.
How Much Sun Does Tarragon Need?
Tarragon can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and tarragon grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Tarragon Need?
Tarragon should be watered deeply when the top inch of soil is dry.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Tarragon?
Tarragon grows fastest in temperatures of 55-80°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some tarragon varieties are bred for longer harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Tarragon Get?
The average height of tarragon is 18-36 inches.
Is Tarragon Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Tarragon is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years.
How Does Tarragon Reproduce?
Tarragon reproduces by seed.
How Much Tarragon is Produced Per Plant?
For tarragon, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and variety.
Most tarragon plants produce 15-30 leaves per sprig. The number of sprigs depends on the age and size of the plant.
Can Tarragon Be Ingested?
Tarragon leaves and stems are edible.
Tarragon leaves have carminative and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:3 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a tarragon leaf tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting tarragon leaves or stems.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of tarragon rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for tarragon here!
Tarragon is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: