Growing French tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing French tarragon in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • 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

19 Nov 20, Nui (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I found some at Mitre 10 this week
09 Oct 20, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Google where to buy in NZ
08 Oct 20, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Check internet sites.
12 Apr 20, Sarina (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy French tarragon plants or seeds now (April)?
26 Oct 20, Alan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try Allrareherbs ... just received 3 x French...excellent service, but get them to send on a Monday so they will not spend weekend in a post office
14 Apr 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
French tarragon should be grown from cuttings. Seeds are usually Russian tarragon, which is not such a good flavour.
18 Mar 20, johan smith (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Where can I purchase Tarragon plants
19 Mar 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Try Mountain Herb Estate on the internet.
18 Mar 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Try seed selling companies on the internet.
16 Feb 20, Cassie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I grow mine in a big pot that gets 5-6hrs sun in summer. Yes it seems to grow as a prostrate plant, not upright. Before first frost, i cut it right back (and stuff all excess stemms in bottles of white wine vinegar), put a light sugar cane mulch over the plant and drag the pot under the eaves to mitigate against our deep frosts. 4 years surviving so far. Will try propagating cuttings this year
Showing 11 - 20 of 59 comments

I am making a calendar for my potting shed wall., from your website, thank you for that. Just a quick question, you have French Taragon, plant out seedlings from Sept to Jan, however, there is no instructions for Sowing Seed. I am assuming it would be sow seed August, then Sept sow seed and plant out etc etc. Have i guessed correctly? Thank you Wendy Strathearn

- Wendy Strathearn

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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. GardenGrow 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.
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