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Tarragon Seeds - Artemesia drancunculus

Regular price: $5.99

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Artemisia dracunculus - Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated, Heirloom, Untreated
Important Cultivar Note: This is Russian Tarragon, the hardy, seed-grown variety of the herb. It has a milder, more subtle anise-licorice flavor than its French counterpart (which can only be grown from cuttings).
A very tough and reliable perennial herb that returns faithfully each spring, forming a 2-3 foot tall, shrubby plant.
The easiest tarragon to grow from seed, making it accessible to all gardeners.
Thrives in full sun and demands well-drained, sandy, or even poor soil. It strongly dislikes wet, heavy clay.
Drought-tolerant once established, making it a perfect low-maintenance, "plant-it-and-forget-it" choice for herb gardens.
Produces slender, aromatic, grey-green leaves that are best used fresh in vinaigrettes, salads, and with chicken or fish dishes.
Harvesting frequently encourages the plant to become bushier and more productive.

$5.99

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USDA Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

USDA Zones 4-9: Grows as a hardy, herbaceous perennial in these zones. It will die back to the ground after a hard frost and re-emerge vigorously from the roots in spring. It can be grown as an annual in any zone.

Best Performance (Zones 4-7): Thrives in regions with full sun, moderate summers, and cold winters. These zones provide the ideal conditions for it to establish a strong root system and return larger each year.

Northern Zones (4-5): Exceptionally cold-hardy. Will reliably survive the winter in Zone 4. In colder areas (Zone 3), it may survive with a thick layer of protective winter mulch over the crown.

Hot Climate Zones (8-9): Performance is variable and depends on humidity. Tarragon hates high humidity and wet, heavy soil. It performs well in Zone 8-9 climates with dry summers and very well-drained soil, but will struggle, rot, or die in the hot, humid Southeast.

Soil Temperature (for Germination): Requires soil temperatures between 60-70 degrees F for germination.

Growing Season (Perennial): As a perennial, it has an indefinite growing season. It can be harvested lightly in its first year from seed but will become fully established and highly productive from the second year onward.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

USDA Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

USDA Zones 4-9: Grows as a hardy, herbaceous perennial in these zones. It will die back to the ground after a hard frost and re-emerge vigorously from the roots in spring. It can be grown as an annual in any zone.

Best Performance (Zones 4-7): Thrives in regions with full sun, moderate summers, and cold winters. These zones provide the ideal conditions for it to establish a strong root system and return larger each year.

Northern Zones (4-5): Exceptionally cold-hardy. Will reliably survive the winter in Zone 4. In colder areas (Zone 3), it may survive with a thick layer of protective winter mulch over the crown.

Hot Climate Zones (8-9): Performance is variable and depends on humidity. Tarragon hates high humidity and wet, heavy soil. It performs well in Zone 8-9 climates with dry summers and very well-drained soil, but will struggle, rot, or die in the hot, humid Southeast.

Soil Temperature (for Germination): Requires soil temperatures between 60-70 degrees F for germination.

Growing Season (Perennial): As a perennial, it has an indefinite growing season. It can be harvested lightly in its first year from seed but will become fully established and highly productive from the second year onward.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

Planting Tips

When to Plant (Indoors):

Recommended Method: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your average last frost date.

When to Plant (Outdoors):

Direct sow in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees F.

Where to Plant:

Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours per day).

Soil (Critical): This is the most important factor. Tarragon must have excellent, sharp drainage. It thrives in sandy, loamy, or average soil. It will fail in heavy, wet clay or overly rich, damp soil. This is the most common reason for failure.

Soil pH: Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil (6.5-7.5).

How to Plant (Seed Starting):

Depth (Critical): Seeds need light to germinate.

Process: Press the tiny seeds firmly onto the surface of a sterile, moist seed-starting mix. Do NOT cover them with soil, or cover extremely lightly with 1/16 inch of fine vermiculite or sand.

Germination: Keep the soil mix moist (but not soaking) at 65-70 degrees F. Be patient; germination can be slow and take 10-21 days.

How to Plant (Transplanting):

Harden Off: Acclimate your indoor-sown seedlings to outdoor conditions for 7-10 days before planting them in the garden.

Spacing: Space plants 18-24 inches apart. They will grow into small, bushy shrubs.

Growing and Care:

Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help the plants establish.

Drought Tolerance: Once established (after the first year), tarragon is very drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering is the easiest way to kill this plant.

Fertilizing: Do not fertilize. Tarragon thrives in lean soil. Rich soil or fertilizer will produce weak, leggy growth with very poor, diluted flavor.

Pruning: Harvest frequently to encourage bushy growth. Cut the entire plant back by half in mid-summer if it becomes leggy or starts to flower heavily.

Dividing: As a perennial, the clump should be dug up and divided every 3-4 years in the spring to maintain its vigor and flavor.

Planting Tips

When to Plant (Indoors):

Recommended Method: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your average last frost date.

When to Plant (Outdoors):

Direct sow in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees F.

Where to Plant:

Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours per day).

Soil (Critical): This is the most important factor. Tarragon must have excellent, sharp drainage. It thrives in sandy, loamy, or average soil. It will fail in heavy, wet clay or overly rich, damp soil. This is the most common reason for failure.

Soil pH: Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil (6.5-7.5).

How to Plant (Seed Starting):

Depth (Critical): Seeds need light to germinate.

Process: Press the tiny seeds firmly onto the surface of a sterile, moist seed-starting mix. Do NOT cover them with soil, or cover extremely lightly with 1/16 inch of fine vermiculite or sand.

Germination: Keep the soil mix moist (but not soaking) at 65-70 degrees F. Be patient; germination can be slow and take 10-21 days.

How to Plant (Transplanting):

Harden Off: Acclimate your indoor-sown seedlings to outdoor conditions for 7-10 days before planting them in the garden.

Spacing: Space plants 18-24 inches apart. They will grow into small, bushy shrubs.

Growing and Care:

Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help the plants establish.

Drought Tolerance: Once established (after the first year), tarragon is very drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering is the easiest way to kill this plant.

Fertilizing: Do not fertilize. Tarragon thrives in lean soil. Rich soil or fertilizer will produce weak, leggy growth with very poor, diluted flavor.

Pruning: Harvest frequently to encourage bushy growth. Cut the entire plant back by half in mid-summer if it becomes leggy or starts to flower heavily.

Dividing: As a perennial, the clump should be dug up and divided every 3-4 years in the spring to maintain its vigor and flavor.

Tarragon Seeds - Artemesia drancunculus

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