herb
EdibleTarragon (French)
Artemisia dracunculus
Toxic to cats and dogs — keep it out of reach (source: ASPCA).
A sunny south-facing window with 6+ hours, or a grow light.
Let the soil dry out between waterings; it dislikes staying wet.
Needs a little consistency, but nothing fancy.
French tarragon is a refined anise-flavored herb prized in French cooking. It must be grown from a plant or cutting rather than seed, and prefers a bright spot with sparing water. It is toxic to pets.
About Tarragon (French)
French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a refined herb with a delicate anise flavor prized in French cooking. It comes from the steppes of Central Asia and Siberia. The important quirk for a grower is that true French tarragon is sterile, so you can't raise it from seed; you start from a bought plant, a division, or a rooted cutting. Anything sold as tarragon seed is usually the coarser, near-flavorless Russian type. Started right, one plant in a 4-litre pot supplies steady snippings.
It wants a bright spot and only sparing water, since it dislikes soggy roots. The wiry, upright plant reaches about 0.4 to 0.6 m and grows tender if you trim it regularly. It's rated moderate, mostly because of the propagation catch and its dislike of wet feet rather than any day-to-day fussiness. Leaves are ready to harvest from roughly 70 to 100 days once the plant fills out.
What it’s like to grow
Tarragon is manageable once you've sourced the real thing and got the watering right. Its main weakness is root rot from overwatering or poor drainage, so let the soil dry between waterings and give it a free-draining pot. Weak, grassy flavor is the other letdown, and it usually means you ended up with Russian tarragon rather than French. It needs bright light to stay flavorful. Note it's toxic to cats and dogs. Best for a cook who wants that specific anise note and will start from a named plant.
What to expect
First harvest in about 70–100 days. It asks for a little consistency, but nothing fancy. No sunny window? It also does fine under a clip-on grow light.
See what you’ll need to get started ↓♻ Regrow from scraps
True French tarragon is sterile — grow it from a division or rooted cutting, not from seed.
Companions
Tips
- Buy a French tarragon plant; seed-grown "tarragon" is usually the flavorless Russian type.
- Let the soil dry between waterings — it dislikes soggy roots.
- Trim regularly to keep growth tender.
Common problems
- Root rot from overwatering or poor drainage.
- Weak flavor if it turns out to be Russian tarragon.
Common questions
Is Tarragon (French) toxic to cats and dogs?
Tarragon (French) is toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so keep it out of reach of pets that chew. Source: ASPCA.
How much light does Tarragon (French) need?
Tarragon (French) wants bright light — a south-facing window with six or more hours of sun, or a grow light to make up for it.
How often should I water Tarragon (French)?
Water Tarragon (French) sparingly. Let the soil dry out fully between waterings — it's far more likely to rot from overwatering than to suffer from neglect.
What temperature does Tarragon (French) need?
Tarragon (French) is happiest around 15–24 °C. It tolerates brief dips to about -10 °C, but cold drafts and sudden chills set it back.
How long does Tarragon (French) take to grow?
Expect a first harvest about 70–100 days from sowing under good conditions. A modest but steady supply of aromatic leaves you snip as needed once the plant fills out.
Can I grow Tarragon (French) without a sunny window?
Yes. Tarragon (French) does well under an affordable clip-on grow light, so a bright window isn't essential.
How big does Tarragon (French) get?
A wiry upright herb ~0.4–0.6 m tall; grow one plant per pot.
How do I propagate Tarragon (French)?
Divide the roots in spring or root a soft cutting; French tarragon sets no viable seed.
What pests affect Tarragon (French)?
Watch for aphids, spider mites and whitefly. Check new growth and the undersides of leaves often, and treat early with a rinse or insecticidal soap before they spread.
Is Tarragon (French) easy to grow?
Tarragon (French) is moderately easy. It asks for some consistency with light and water, but nothing advanced.
Gear for Tarragon (French)
Gear suggestions to get you started — general picks, not paid placements.
Pet-toxicity from the ASPCA. Care details are general guidance, not professional or veterinary advice; only eat plants you can positively identify as the edible plant and part described. Photo: Joanna Boisse, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA). Care info last updated 2026-06-02.