Garden Scheme
Artemisia dracunculus
French tarragon is a perennial herb grown for its anise-flavored leaves, with harvests running from late spring into early fall. At roughly 2½ feet tall, it brings a narrow, upright layer to a dedicated herb bed or the sunny edge of a vegetable plot. Its mid- to late-summer bloom period need not determine its placement; keep the leafy growth within easy reach for regular picking.
Space French Tarragon 18 inches apart, measured center to center (45 cm).
The mature spread is about 2 ft (60 cm), so plants set at that distance grow together into a closed canopy over the bed.
Treat 18 inches as a planning baseline — cultivar and local growing conditions shift the final footprint.
Set French tarragon in a sunny, sheltered pocket where drainage is dependable, rather than at the low end of a bed or beside a frequently irrigated crop. A raised herb bed, gravelly border edge, or roomy container suits its preference for dry, airy root conditions. Place it along the accessible side of a path so stems can be harvested without stepping into the bed.[1][2]
Plant French tarragon 18 inches apart, center to center. Each clump can reach about 2 feet wide, so let neighboring plants overlap only where a loose herb planting is intended; otherwise, reserve a little open air around the stems. In rows, use the spacing to maintain a reachable strip for harvesting and spring division. Its 2½-foot height places it behind lower herbs or along a bed edge that will not shade smaller plants.
Give it full sun and soil that drains quickly after rain or irrigation. Once established, allow the root zone to dry between waterings rather than maintaining steady moisture. Avoid heavy or saturated ground, especially where winter water lingers, because poor drainage can weaken the planting and reduce overwintering success. Low to moderate fertility and a well-aerated planting area help keep the clump compact and workable.[1][2][3]
Plant or divide in spring as new shoots begin, then keep a clear route to the clump for repeated harvests through early fall. Division every two to four years helps renew a vigorous planting, so avoid boxing it into a tightly planted permanent border. After frost ends top growth, winter protection can be useful in colder or wetter gardens; in spring, cut back old stems as growth resumes.[1][2]
French tarragon is propagated by division or cuttings, not by seed, so reserve space for a purchased plant or divisions from an established clump. Seed-grown plants sold simply as tarragon may be Russian tarragon instead. Where summers regularly exceed 90°F, a site with some afternoon shade can improve plant survival, while still keeping the bed bright and well drained.[1][2]