Tarragon is a highly aromatic herb with a distinctive fragrance. It is also widely used as a culinary herb, particularly for flavouring poultry dishes such as chicken with tarragon. It can also be used in omelettes, salad dressings or Béarnaise sauce. Would you like to grow tarragon at home? Here is everything you need to know about cultivating and caring for this versatile aromatic herb.
Tarragon and its different varieties
Tarragon, or Artemisia dracunculus, is a perennial, semi-evergreen plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It can grow to between 40 and 150 cm in height. As an aromatic herb, tarragon also contains a range of naturally occurring plant compounds and nutrients.
What are the properties of tarragon?
Tarragon contains vitamin A as well as various natural plant compounds. It has also traditionally been associated with digestion. In cooking, tarragon is mainly used as a herb or seasoning to add flavour and aroma to dishes. Any potential health benefits should not be considered a substitute for medical advice or treatment.
What are the different varieties of tarragon?
In general, two main types of tarragon are commonly distinguished:
- Classic tarragon: a highly aromatic and flavoursome variety;
- Russian tarragon: a flowering variety with a much milder or less distinctive flavour.
If you want to use the leaves mainly to flavour and season your recipes, classic tarragon is generally the better choice.
How to grow tarragon
Growing tarragon is relatively straightforward. The plant prefers rich, light and well-drained soil as well as a sunny position. Depending on its development, it can generally be harvested between May and October. Below, you will find the main steps for planting and sowing tarragon.
Planting tarragon
Tarragon can be planted from March onwards. It is best to establish the plant before autumn so that it has time to become stronger before winter. If you want tarragon in your vegetable garden or herb garden, you can buy a young plant in a pot and either repot it into a larger container at home or plant it directly in the ground.
Sowing tarragon
Tarragon can be sown directly outdoors from around mid-May, while sowing under cover can begin in early spring or towards the end of winter. To sow tarragon:
- Bury the tarragon seeds around 1 to 2 cm deep in compost;
- space the rows approximately 20 cm apart;
- water gently with a fine spray until germination, which may take around two weeks;
- thin the young plants to approximately 20 cm apart once they have developed 4 to 5 leaves, allowing enough room for healthy growth.
The source article states that tarragon reaches a more developed stage approximately two months after sowing. Flowering tarragon, or Russian tarragon, can according to the source be sown throughout spring and summer.
Propagating tarragon
Tarragon can be propagated using cuttings, suckers or layering. When propagating from a sucker, for example, simply:
- remove a tarragon stem together with part of its root;
- plant the stem in moist compost.
Harvesting tarragon
Tarragon can be harvested as and when you need it. Before the first significant frosts, it is a good idea to cut the remaining stems. When harvesting, pick the stems one by one, starting with the oldest. To keep tarragon for longer after harvesting, the leaves can be dried in a dry, well-ventilated place, then crushed and stored in an airtight container. Good to know: tarragon often dies back during winter and begins growing again in spring. When temperatures fall below around -5°C, protecting the base of the plant may help reduce frost damage, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
How to care for tarragon
Caring for tarragon mainly involves appropriate watering. The growing medium should remain slightly moist during the growing season without becoming waterlogged. It can also be useful to loosen the soil gently and remove weeds regularly so that the plant has enough space and access to nutrients. Pruning may also be necessary, as tarragon can spread sideways and shade neighbouring plants. To rejuvenate established tarragon, the clump can be divided in spring approximately every three years.
