Growing French tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
              S S S S  
T               T T T T
P               P P P P

(Best months for growing French tarragon in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Plant cuttings or root division. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 6-8 weeks. Pick leaves when young for best flavour.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Aubergine (Eggplant) and Capsicum (Peppers)

Your comments and tips

17 Sep 17, les dillon (Australia - tropical climate)
What are the medicinal benifits of tarragon,if any. Cheers
23 Jun 18, Anne-Marie (Australia - temperate climate)
My french tarragon that I have been growing for approx. 3 years now is growing more as a prostrate plant than an upright plant. The height is probably only about 7.5 cm but it has lots of long ground covering branches. Do you have any thoughts on why this would be so? Please use my e-mail address for your response. Much appreciated. Anne-Marie
28 Jun 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Comments here are by the general public not Gardenate so no response by email. I don't know anything about French Tarragon.
28 Jun 18, Mike L (Australia - temperate climate)
Try a new planting from different stock.
31 Jul 18, kelvan (Australia - temperate climate)
Cut plant to ground level in winter.Pull up and divide your plant/s early spring.
15 Jun 19, Ii (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have exactly the same issue and find that the taste is overpowering and bitter, and the leaves are small. It’s not as sweet as the tarragon I know. Did you find a solution?
21 Aug 18, Jennifer Fitzsimmons (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy a French Perennial Tarragon I live on the Mornington Penninsular Victoria
29 Aug 18, Marcelle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It is available from The Diggers Club and at the Heronswood garden shop in Dromana. Call ahead to make sure it is in stock.
12 Dec 18, Derek (New Zealand - temperate climate)
my french tarragon took off like a rocket in early spring, now has dwindled away. Should I spread and replant what's left of the tubers, or wait and hope for next spring?
13 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look on the internet - how to grow tarragon - pay attention to how long it grows when to harvest etc.
Showing 11 - 20 of 29 comments

My french tarragon that I have been growing for approx. 3 years now is growing more as a prostrate plant than an upright plant. The height is probably only about 7.5 cm but it has lots of long ground covering branches. Do you have any thoughts on why this would be so? Please use my e-mail address for your response. Much appreciated. Anne-Marie

- Anne-Marie

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.