How big does Tarragon grow?

About 75 cm × 45 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 45–90 cm × 30–60 cm.

What soil does Tarragon grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy.

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How much water does Tarragon need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a perennial that reaches 75 cm × 45 cm after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Toxic to dogs and cats.

Illustration of Tarragon — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A bushy herb with narrow leaves that comes in two very different forms. French tarragon has a strong anise flavour, hardly ever flowers and sets no viable seed, so it is only propagated by division or cuttings and is touchier in winter; Russian tarragon comes from seed, grows taller and coarser and is very hardy, but has little flavour. A pot labelled simply "tarragon" and every seed packet is usually the Russian type: crush and taste a leaf, the French one is instantly and strongly anise-like, the Russian one tastes of very little. Plant it in sun in light, free-draining soil and divide it every 3 to 4 years, because the clump wears out.

Watch out for

It cannot stand winter wet: in heavy, wet soil the roots and crown rot, and in Central Europe this, not cold, is what usually kills French tarragon. Plant it in loose, gritty or sandy soil, leave the dry stems on until spring and mulch with leaves in hard, snowless winters. Russian tarragon spreads by rhizomes and seed and can sprawl in a weedy way. It may also decline in wet, humid summers.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 75 cm × 45 cm
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous

All details

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	75 cm × 45 cm
Ultimate size	45–90 cm × 30–60 cm
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	July–August, white, green
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	40 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Perennials for full sun Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant perennials Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden Fragrant plants Fragrant perennials

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