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Russian Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculoides

A hardy perennial herb that thrives in cold climates where French Tarragon struggles, though with a milder anise flavor. Russian Tarragon is incredibly easy to grow from seed and forms robust clumps that return year after year, making it perfect for beginning herb gardeners seeking a reliable tarragon experience.

Harvest

60-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-4 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Russian Tarragon in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Russian Tarragon · Zones 2–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Very easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates poor and sandy soils

pH6.0-8.0

WaterLow to moderate, drought tolerant once established

SeasonCool season perennial

FlavorMild anise and licorice flavor, less intense than French Tarragon, slightly bitter

ColorMedium green narrow leaves with small greenish-yellow flowers

SizeNarrow leaves 2-4 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 2	April – May	June – August	—	August – September
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Occasionally Dry, Very Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Division. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Bloom time: Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Russian Tarragon keeps best stored like cut flowers—trim stem ends and place in water, covering leaves with a plastic bag, then refrigerate. This method maintains quality for 7-10 days. Alternatively, wrap unwashed stems in slightly damp paper towels and store in the refrigerator crisper for up to one week.

For long-term storage, freezing preserves more flavor than drying. Freeze whole stems in freezer bags, or chop leaves and freeze in ice cube trays with olive oil or water. Frozen tarragon works perfectly in cooked dishes.

Air-drying works well despite Russian Tarragon's mild flavor. Hang small bundles in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct light. Once completely dry (stems snap cleanly), strip leaves and store in airtight containers. Dried Russian Tarragon maintains decent flavor for 6-12 months when stored properly in a cool, dark location.

History & Origin

Origin: Europe, Subtropical Northern Hemisphere & S. America

Considerations

-Toxic (Bark, Flowers, Fruits, Leaves, Roots, Seeds, Stems): High severity

Companion Plants

Nightshades — tomatoes, peppers, eggplant — are consistently cited as good neighbors, and the logic is practical: Russian tarragon's aromatic volatile oils appear to confuse or deter several common pests, and NC State Extension notes that mixing plant families breaks up pest-preferred expanses and slows early damage spread. Positioning tarragon 18–24 inches from your tomato row gets you that buffer without root competition. Marigolds pull their weight here too — their root secretions suppress certain soil nematodes — and they don't drink heavily, which matters because tarragon is drought-tolerant and doesn't benefit from sharing a bed with a crop that needs constant moisture. Carrots, lettuce, and beans all have shallow or non-aggressive root systems, so they coexist without crowding each other underground.

Fennel is allelopathic to a wide range of plants and will stunt growth on anything within a couple of feet — keep it on the opposite end of the garden. Mint is a different problem: it's not chemically hostile to tarragon, but it spreads by runner fast enough to swallow shared bed space inside a single growing season. Pot it separately. Black walnut releases juglone through its root zone, a compound toxic to many herbs and vegetables; don't site tarragon within 50–60 feet of one.

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Russian tarragon repels aphids and other pests that commonly attack tomatoes

Peppers

Tarragon's strong scent deters pepper pests like aphids and spider mites

Eggplant

Provides pest protection for eggplants while both thrive in similar warm conditions

Cabbage

Repels cabbage moths and other brassica pests with its aromatic compounds

Carrots

Tarragon helps deter carrot fly while carrots don't compete for nutrients

Lettuce

Provides natural pest control for lettuce without competing for space or nutrients

Beans

Beans fix nitrogen in soil which benefits tarragon, while tarragon repels bean beetles

Marigolds

Both plants repel similar pests and complement each other's pest control properties

Keep Apart

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of tarragon and most other herbs

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that stunts or kills tarragon and other sensitive plants

Mint

Aggressive spreading nature competes heavily for nutrients and can overwhelm tarragon

Nutrition Facts

Calories

295kcal(15%)

Protein

22.8g(46%)

Fiber

7.4g(26%)

Carbs

50.2g(18%)

Fat

7.24g(9%)

Vitamin C

50mg(56%)

Vitamin A

210mcg(23%)

Iron

32.3mg(179%)

Calcium

1140mg(88%)

Potassium

3020mg(64%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170937)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent disease resistance, very hardy and trouble-free

Common Pests

Few pest problems, occasionally aphids

Diseases

Root rot in waterlogged conditions, generally disease-free

Troubleshooting Russian Tarragon

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Stems wilting and roots turning brown or black, plant collapsing despite adequate watering

Likely Causes

Root rot from waterlogged or poorly drained soil — Russian tarragon's biggest vulnerability
Overwatering in heavy clay soil that holds moisture around the crown

What to Do

1.Dig up the plant and cut away blackened roots with clean shears; replant in a raised bed or a spot with sharper drainage
2.Amend the planting area with coarse sand or fine gravel before replanting — target a well-draining soil at pH 6.0–8.0
3.Pull back on watering entirely; once established, Russian tarragon handles drought on its own and rarely needs more than one deep watering every 7–10 days in dry stretches

Clusters of small soft-bodied insects on new growth, leaves curling or looking stunted

Likely Causes

Aphid infestation — Russian tarragon sees this occasionally, usually in spring when new shoots are tender
Absence of beneficial insect habitat nearby to supply natural predation

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm spray from the hose — do this in the morning so foliage dries before evening
2.Plant marigolds within 12–18 inches; they attract predatory wasps and lacewings that keep aphid pressure in check
3.If pressure persists after a week, apply insecticidal soap directly to affected stems, coating the undersides of leaves

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Russian and French Tarragon?▼

Russian Tarragon grows easily from seed and tolerates cold climates, but has a much milder anise flavor. French Tarragon offers intense, complex flavor but rarely produces viable seeds, requires division for propagation, and struggles in zones below 7. Russian Tarragon works better for beginners and harsh climates, while French Tarragon is preferred for authentic French cooking.

Can you grow Russian Tarragon in containers?▼

Yes, Russian Tarragon grows excellently in containers 12+ inches deep with good drainage. Use well-draining potting mix and avoid over-fertilizing. Container growing actually helps control its spreading habit. In zones 6 and below, move containers to protected areas or mulch heavily for winter protection.

How long does Russian Tarragon take to grow from seed?▼

Russian Tarragon germinates in 10-14 days and reaches harvestable size in 60-90 days from seed. You can begin light harvesting once plants reach 6 inches tall. As a perennial, established plants return each spring and can be harvested throughout the growing season for many years.

Is Russian Tarragon good for beginners?▼

Russian Tarragon is excellent for beginning herb gardeners. It's extremely forgiving, grows easily from seed, tolerates poor soil and drought once established, has few pest or disease problems, and returns reliably each year. It's much easier to grow than French Tarragon and requires minimal maintenance.

When should I plant Russian Tarragon seeds?▼

Plant Russian Tarragon seeds directly in spring after last frost or in fall 6-8 weeks before hard freeze. For indoor starting, sow seeds 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Fall planting often produces stronger plants due to natural cold stratification over winter.

Does Russian Tarragon spread aggressively?▼

Russian Tarragon can spread through both self-seeding and root division, but it's not typically invasive. However, it will naturalize in favorable conditions. To control spread, deadhead flowers before seed set and divide clumps every 3-4 years. Its spreading habit is generally manageable with basic garden maintenance.