Tarragon Planting Guide
Growing tarragon in May
Whether you're sowing, transplanting, or harvesting, tarragon needs the right timing. Check your zone below for exact dates.
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How to water tarragon
Consistent moisture matters more than volume for tarragon. Little and often beats occasional drenching.
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Where to put tarragon
tarragon wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant tarragon. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
French tarragon is a perennial herb with slender leaves and a distinctive anise-like flavor essential in French cooking. It does not produce viable seed and must be propagated vegetatively.
Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa · Herb · Asteraceae family · 60–90 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Tarragon Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Tarragon?
Tarragon Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Tarragon planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4a | — | — | May 13 | Jul 15 – Sep 23 |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 8 | Jul 10 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 2 | Jul 4 – Sep 12 |
| Zone 5b | — | — | Apr 25 | Jun 27 – Sep 5 |
| Zone 6a | — | — | Apr 17 | Jun 19 – Aug 28 |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 10 | Jun 12 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 1 | Jun 3 – Aug 12 |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Mar 25 | May 27 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 15 | May 17 – Jul 26 |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 4 | May 6 – Jul 15 |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 17 | Apr 21 – Jun 30 |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 1 | Apr 5 – Jun 14 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Tarragon is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Tarragon benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Tarragon
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 4a – 9b
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Asteraceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Asteraceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Tarragon
Tarragon matures in just 60–90 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.9 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Tarragon
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Tarragon
Purchase plants or divisions as French tarragon does not grow true from seed. Plant in well-drained soil. Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor. Harvest tips regularly for best flavor.
Saving Tarragon Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Tarragon by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Tarragon?
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) takes 60 to 90 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Tarragon grow in?
Tarragon can be grown in USDA zones 4a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Tarragon need?
Growing Tarragon requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.