French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus ‘Sativa’) is a perennial herb known for its distinct anise-like flavor. This aromatic quality makes it a fixture in French cuisine, often paired with poultry, fish, and egg dishes. French tarragon is generally winter hardy in zones down to 4, but successful cultivation requires attention to drainage and temperature to thrive across the growing seasons.
Starting Your French Tarragon Plant
French tarragon cannot be reliably grown from seed because its flowers are sterile. Tarragon sold as seed is usually the Russian variety, which has an inferior flavor profile. To ensure you grow the genuine culinary herb, start with an established plant, root division, or stem cutting.
Choose a location that receives full sun, though afternoon shade is beneficial in very hot climates to prevent scorching. French tarragon has fleshy, brittle roots and requires excellent drainage to prevent rot. Prepare the planting site by amending the soil with sand or grit to create a lean, well-aerated medium with a neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
Propagation is best done in the spring as new shoots emerge. Take softwood cuttings four to six inches long, remove the lower leaves, and use rooting hormone before planting. When dividing, use a sharp knife to separate the brittle root clump, ensuring each new section has emerging shoot tips.
Ongoing Cultivation and Maintenance
Once established, French tarragon prefers conditions that are on the dry side. Allow the top layer of soil to dry out completely between waterings, as consistently saturated soil quickly leads to root rot. New plants need more frequent watering until their root systems are developed, but mature plants are drought-tolerant.
This herb thrives in lean soil and rarely needs additional fertilizer. Rich soil or excessive feeding tends to reduce the concentration of flavorful essential oils. If the plant seems weak, an application of a mild, balanced organic feed once in the spring is sufficient. Over-fertilizing encourages lush, soft growth that is more susceptible to disease.
Regular pruning encourages a bushier, more productive plant and prevents it from becoming spindly. Pinching back the stem tips early in the season promotes lateral branching and increases the overall yield of leaves. It is important to snip off any stalks that attempt to flower, as energy diversion into bloom production diminishes the quality and intensity of the leaf flavor.
French tarragon can be affected by powdery mildew, especially in humid conditions or when air circulation is poor. Ensure adequate spacing between plants to allow for airflow, and consider growing in containers if your native soil is heavy clay. Spider mites may also appear, which can be managed by spraying the foliage with a strong jet of water.
Harvesting and Preparing for Winter
The best time to harvest tarragon leaves for peak flavor is in the early morning, right after the dew has dried but before the sun’s heat causes the aromatic oils to dissipate. You can begin harvesting once the plant is well-established, cutting stems four to six inches from the top. Always leave at least one-third of the foliage on the plant to ensure it can recover and continue to produce new growth.
For long-term storage, freezing is the preferred method, as it preserves the delicate anise flavor much better than drying. Leaves can be frozen whole in an airtight container or chopped and frozen into ice cube trays with water or oil. Drying the leaves reduces the flavor intensity, but if you choose to dry them, hang small bundles of stems upside down in a dark, airy place.
As late fall approaches, cease harvesting about a month before the first expected hard frost so the plant can prepare for dormancy. Once the foliage has died back, cut the stalks down to three to four inches above the soil line. Apply a thick layer of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, over the crown to insulate the roots and protect them from severe cold and freeze-thaw cycles.
If growing French tarragon in a container, which is often recommended in zones colder than 4, move the pot to an unheated garage or basement for winter. The plant requires a cold period for dormancy but needs protection from harsh freezes and excessive moisture. Container-grown plants should have their water restricted during this time to prevent root rot while dormant.