Tarragon, French or Otherwise

Artemisia dracunculus and other species
Family: Asteraceae
Perennial Herb

Most often when people refer to tarragon, they mean the french selection (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) which is cultivated for its aromatics and flavor. The regular species Artemisia dracunculus is cosmopolitan, even growing throughout the Arizona as a weedy native. The flavors vary but are mostly subtle in the wild species. Seed packets of tarragon are of the Russian variety and are mostly flavorless.

French tarragon must be grown from cuttings, and it does not set seed.

There is another plant called “Mexican tarragon” which is not the same species, or even the same genus. Tagetes lucida is a perennial plant native to Mexico and Central America with a flavor many people associate with tarragon, and many people will substitute this herb for French tarragon, to the consternation of French chefs around the world.

Once French tarragon takes off, it can grow 4-5’ tall. But it is seldom seen at that height in Arizona. Once established it will usually form a 2’ tall bush, however.

USES

Tarragon is one of the four fines herbes of French cooking and is particularly suitable for chicken, fish, and egg dishes. Tarragon is the main flavoring component of Béarnaise sauce. Fresh, lightly bruised tarragon sprigs are steeped in vinegar to produce tarragon vinegar. Pounded with butter, it produces an excellent topping for grilled salmon or beef.

Check out this article on Tarragon and its best uses.

Medicinally, tarragon is used for indigestion (dyspepsia), poor appetite, nausea and vomiting after surgery, toothache, sleep problems, and other conditions.

Mexican tarragon (Tagetes lucida) is also an important food and medicinal plant. In addition to similar culinary uses, it is often consumed as a relaxing tea.

PRESERVATION

Tarragon is best used fresh, but it can be dried for future use (best cut and dried in the fall, since in the winter plants may go dormant).

GROWING

SEASON & PLANTING
French tarragon cannot be planted from seed but from an asexual cutting—short of making cuttings, find starts in plant nurseries. Plants are warm season growers. Dig up every 3rd spring and divide because roots grow inward and will strangle the plant. Tarragon has a shallow root system, so mulch over winter. Plant in full to part sun.

SOIL & NUTRITION
Plants aren’t particularly needy of nutrients, but are best planted in amended garden soil. An occasional feeding will be beneficial, if not needed. Good drainage is important.

TEMPERATURE & SUN EXPOSURE
Tarragon is resistant to cold and heat; it's cold hardy to -10°F but can die back to the ground in freezing weather.

WATER
As long as plants have good drainage, standard garden watering will keep plants happy.

HARVESTING
Pick tips or leaves of the plant as needed.

WILDLIFE
This plant seldom has insect problems, and if it does, is usually due to over-shading.

INVASIVENESS
The species is native to our region, though French tarragon does not set seed anyway, so there is no chance of it becoming invasive.