French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus
French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a deciduous perennial herb in the Asteraceae family. It grows 50–90 cm (20–35 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 45 cm (18 in) apart.
Plan French tarragon in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
French tarragon at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 45 cm (18 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: leaves |
| Common in gardens of | 🇫🇷 France, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is French tarragon toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Culinary tarragon is non-toxic to people and pets in food amounts.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with French tarragon
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about French tarragon
- How far apart should I plant French tarragon?
- About 45 cm (18 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does French tarragon need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does French tarragon need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is French tarragon?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- Is French tarragon poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Culinary tarragon is non-toxic to people and pets in food amounts.
- What grows well with French tarragon?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for French tarragon. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- French tarragon is sterile and propagated by division.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- German chamomile Matricaria chamomilla