It’s a citrusy herb that has slender, slightly twisted leaves. It’s versatile to add to recipes and is the perfect addition to any herb garden. Tarragon is a herb that should really be a staple in any thriving indoor herb garden. Imagine snipping a few sprigs of fresh tarragon right from your kitchen window for that perfect finishing touch to your mid-week dinner recipe. When you grow tarragon indoors, you can do just that.
But here’s the thing about tarragon, especially the French variety: it isn’t just a herb you can pop into a pot and expect to thrive without a bit of attention. Growing tarragon indoors means you need to know a bit about its needs. This guide will do just that, from choosing the right variety to grow indoors to common issues.
- Choosing the Best Variety of Tarragon to Grow Indoors
- What you Need to Grow French Tarragon Indoors
- Creating the Ideal Indoor Environment for Tarragon
- Step-by-Step Guide to Planting French Tarragon Indoors
- Watering and Fertilizing Your Indoor Tarragon
- Maintaining and Pruning Indoor Tarragon
- Harvesting Tarragon for the Best Flavor
- Common Issues with Indoor Tarragon
- Using and Storing Fresh Tarragon in the Kitchen
Why Grow Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) Indoors?
Having fresh herbs like tarragon right at home is a blessing, especially if you love cooking. If you’re a fan of adding unique flavors to your food, tarragon has lots to offer your recipes. It has this hint of liquorice which is parts of it’s unique taste and unlike the usual rosemary or thyme it works wonders with the flavor of chicken, fish, and even salad dressings.
Not to mention, it’s incredibly convenient to have tarragon indoors. Imagine having to run outside in the rain or snow just to grab some herbs. No, thank you! Growing tarragon as part of an indoor kitchen herb garden means you’ve got a constant supply within arm’s reach, all year round. Plus, indoor gardening brings a bit of green to your space, which can be really uplifting, especially during those dreary winter months when you might not be spending as much time outdoors.
However, growing tarragon indoors isn’t without its challenges, especially when it comes to light and watering. It’s a plant that definitely prefers drier soil, but that is something we’ll look at further down.
Choosing the Best Variety of Tarragon to Grow Indoors
These are the three main types of tarragon you can consider growing indoors:
- Russian tarragon (Artemisia dracunculoides)
- French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa)
- Mexican tarragon (Tagetes lucida)
They have different flavors, need to be harvested differently and at different times. All three types can be grown indoors, although all tarragon is a little tricky as it prefers sandy soil. If you are looking to grow your tarragon from seed, you will need to go for the prolific grower, Russian tarragon as French Tarragon has to be grown from a cutting due to the plant not having many or very good seeds. You can also grow Mexican tarragon from seed.
When you pick the variety of tarragon to grow, the main deciding factor is usually taste and it is for that reason that we recommend growing French Tarragon from a cutting inside. It dislikes being outside in the winter and will do well in the stable indoor environment. Plus when you come to pinch leaves for cooking, you’ll get the best taste as it is the go-to tarragon for cooking.
On the downside, it’s a bit fussier to grow but it’s worth it. The leaves are finer, and the flavor is more intense than its Russian counterpart. Mexican tarragon, on the other hand, isn’t technically “real” tarragon as it comes from the marigold family, but it does have a similar flavor. It’s just not the same if you’re after that classic tarragon taste.
What you Need to Grow French Tarragon Indoors
Tarragon does not like to be in soil that retains moisture and stays wet for a long time. This is why sandy soil that feels gritty to the touch is your best option to grow tarragon indoors. It needs to be a well draining potting mix so that the roots of the tarragon can breathe. Because the roots like to spread out, you will need a pot that is ideally at least 12 inches deep. Once you place your cutting in the pot that will take up about 4 inches and then you will be giving the minimum of 6 inches growing room beneath.
When it comes to finding the best pot to plant your tarragon in, an unvarnished terracotta plant pot often works best. This is because terracotta absorbs some of the moisture from the soil naturally so it helps create the conditions that tarragon likes. Plus terracotta pots have that rustic feel, look great in a kitchen, and don’t break like they do outside due to temperature changes that cause cracks and breaks to pots.
Usually it would matter the time of year you plant your French tarragon, but because you are planting indoors this doesn’t matter so much. Spring months are the best time to plant tarragon because it likes the warm conditions, but as long as your home is warm and you don’t place your new plant in a cool draft it will thrive and you can plant indoors at any time of year.
Creating the Ideal Indoor Environment for Tarragon
Tarragon is a plant that knows what it wants in its environment to grow tarragon indoors. If it doesn’t get it, you can find that your plants leaves go pale and it grows leggy, if it decides to grow at all. Tarragon can be quite dramatic if it doesn’t get exactly what it wants.
Tarragon light needs
Once you’ve got your pot and soil, the next step is finding a spot with plenty of light. A bright, sunny window sill is ideal as tarragon needs a good six to eight hours of light a day. However the plant also likes partial shade too, and this is where lighting can be a bit tricky. If you have a blind applied to your window, either slatted or venetian, this can provide the shade effect your herb wants. Experiment with placement a little, or consider a hanging planter for your herb, as this too provides some shade.
If natural light’s an issue, consider using a grow light. They’re pretty affordable and they make a world of difference for indoor herbs. A full-spectrum grow light will mimic sunlight the best and keep your tarragon growing strong. Position your light about 6 inches above the top of the plant so it gets the intensity it needs without burning the leaves.
Best temperature and humidity for tarragon to grow
Tarragon likes temperatures around 60-70°F (15 – 20C). This herb also isn’t a fan of cold drafts or blasts from the AC so make sure it isn’t in a position where it gets a breeze. In this temperature range your tarragon will thrive if the other conditions are right.
It’s fairly tolerant of indoor humidity, so you don’t need to go misting it constantly like some other herbs. It will thrive best in a humidity level of 40-60%, probably towards the higher end of this during winter months when heating may dry the air out. T
Tarragon is susceptible to mould and mildew, so good airflow is key. Try not to place your plants too close together. If you’re planting another tarragon leave at least 24 inches between plants. Making sure that air can circulate around your plants will help to reduce the chance of mould growing in the soil and provide the best conditions for your tarragon to thrive.
Step-by-Step Guide to Planting French Tarragon Indoors
Starting your French tarragon plant indoors is actually pretty straightforward once you know what to do. Here is a list of the essentials you need to plant French Tarragon:
- Terracotta pot about 12 inches deep with drainage holes
- Sandy, well draining potting mix
- Starter plant or cutting of French Tarragon
Step 1
If your pot doesn’t have drainage holes you’ll need to add some. Adding a handful of stones to the bottom will also help with drainage. About 2cm in depth will work well for a drainage layer.
Step 2
Add your sandy well-draining potting mix to a bit less than halfway. Do not pat your soil down as tarragon benefits from being placed in crumbly soil that has lots of air holes and space to drain. Place the cutting or starter plant in the pot, gently loosen the bottom of the roots so it takes faster. Fill in the space around the cutting with soil mix and gently press it in around the French tarragon.
Step 3
Give it a gentle misting of water around the bottom of the plant. It can help to place a plastic bag over the top for the first few days to keep humidity up. The trick is not to leave it there too long, 2-3 days is usually best as this gives the cutting just enough time to settle.
Watering and Fertilizing to Grow Your Indoor Tarragon
When it come to working out how to look after tarragon indoors, the most common questions tend to be around watering and fertilizing. These are the two key ways indoor herb plant parents can help their plant to thrive.
How to water Tarragon and how often
Watering indoor tarragon can be a little tricky because it loves that “just right” level of moisture. Less is more when it comes to watering and once a week can be enough for your cutting if the soil is not drying out fast with warm temperatures. If the soil is drying out very quickly you may need to water twice a week. It is best to water your tarragon by giving it a good watering once a week and then letting it dry out completely before watering again.
If you water your tarragon too much, you’ll see it wilt; water it too little, and it droops just as fast. Although having a watering schedule is good, always physically check the plant first using a hygrometer or your finger. If the soil around your tarragon feels dry up to an inch down, it needs a drink of water.
Just remember that tarragon doesn’t like wet feet. so when it comes to watering it do not bottom water and leave it standing in water. Water tarragon from the top. Like most herbs, it prefers rain water if you have means of collecting it. But if not go for tap water that has been left to stand for 24 hours so the chlorine evaporates. Light spraying around the bottom of the plant works well as a watering technique.
Should you fertilize French tarragon indoors?
For fertilizer, tarragon is pretty low-maintenance. It’s not a heavy feeder, so a little goes a long way. You can use a balanced liquid fertilizer about once a month. If you go too heavy on the fertilizer, it can actually make the leaves taste bitter. Sticking to a mild feeding is bets to keep your tarragon happy.
If you notice yellowing leaves, it could mean too much water or too much fertilizer, so cut back a bit. This herb is happier with a lean diet and light waterings.
Maintaining and Pruning Indoor Tarragon
Pruning is actually one of the most enjoyable parts of mastering how to grow tarragon indoors, and it’s essential if you want a full, bushy plant. Pruning encourages tarragon to grow better. It’s best to let your tarragon grow before you begin pruning so it needs to be at height of at least 3 inches and settled before you start cutting back leaves.
When you’re pruning, pinch off the tops of the stems every couple of weeks or so. Not only does this prevent it from getting too leggy, but it keeps it compact and bushy. Plus, the new growth has the freshest flavor for any leaves you harvest. If you see any small fresh green buds forming, pinch those off too. This is the time to cut your tarragon back by about a third to get that bushy growth.
Harvesting Tarragon for the Best Flavor
The trick with tarragon is to start harvesting once the plant has a good amount of growth and never strip it bare. Waiting until your plant is at about 6 inches tall is good for harvesting. Go for the younger leaves at the top for the best flavor, and use sharp scissors to avoid damaging the plant.
If you’re not going to use it immediately, you can store fresh tarragon in the fridge. Wrapping in a damp paper towel and popping it in a zip-lock bag keeps it fresh for about a week and keeps the flavor strong. Dried tarragon doesn’t have quite the same punch, but it’s a good option for longer storage. Just spread the leaves on a clean surface and let them air dry. You can do this by hanging your herbs. Once dry, store them in an airtight jar.
Fresh or dried, homegrown tarragon always seems to taste better. There’s something so satisfying about using your own herbs in cooking, and it makes every dish feel extra special.
Common Issues with Indoor Tarragon
Growing tarragon indoors can be smooth sailing once you learn how to grow it, but every now and then, things can go sideways.
Yellowing Leaves
If you notice yellowing leaves, the most common cause is overwatering. Tarragon is sensitive to soggy soil, so always make sure your pot has good drainage and don’t water it too frequently. Always check the soil before watering to avoid this common issue with indoor tarragon.
Leggy Growth
Another common issue is leggy growth. If your tarragon is stretching out with long, skinny stems and sparse leaves, it’s probably not getting enough light. Moving it to somewhere with more light will help or invest in a grow light if that isn’t possible. To solve the issue of leggy growth you will also need to prune your tarragon back to get it t grow bushy.
Pests
Pests can sometimes be an issue, even indoors. If you spot them, act fast. A quick rinse in the sink can take care of smaller infestations or wipe down the leaves of your tarragon with a soft cloth and insecticidal soap. For serious infestations, spraying with a mild insecticidal soap once every 1-2 weeks usually takes care of the problem without harming the plant or the taste..
Mildew
Mildew is another issue that can pop up, especially if the air around your plant is too humid. To prevent this, make sure your tarragon has enough airflow, and avoid wetting the leaves when you water. If this does happen remove the affected leaves and any mouldy soil, replacing it with new dry soil. This will help resolve the problem faster.
Using and Storing Fresh Tarragon in the Kitchen
So, you’ve grown and harvested your French tarragon. Now, what to do with it? French tarragon is an amazing herb to grow in the kitchen and to throw into recipes. It’s used by some of the top top French chefs when creating new recipes and it is probably hiding in a lot of your favorite recipes. The flavor is subtle yet distinct, adding a little kick without being overpowering.
When storing fresh tarragon, it usually only lasts a week or so in the fridge. If you want to store it longer, drying is the way to go. Just lay the leaves out on a clean surface for a few days, then store them in an airtight container. Dried tarragon loses a bit of its flavor, but it is still delicious in recipes.
You can also freeze tarragon by chopping it up and putting it into an ice cube tray with a bit of water. Whenever you need a quick burst of flavor, you can simply add it to your dish as you cook.
Conclusion
Mastering how to grow tarragon indoors is not just a great way to add fresh herbs to your cooking; it’s a rewarding hobby that brings a little bit of the outdoors right into your home. Sure, it takes a bit of trial and error to find that perfect balance of light, water, and temperature, but once you nail it, you’ll have a steady supply of fresh tarragon all year long. Whether you’re using it fresh or dried, the flavor of homegrown tarragon just can’t be beaten.
Try out these tips, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Growing herbs is a journey, and each plant has its quirks and personality. Plus, who doesn’t love the bragging rights that come with using your own herbs in the kitchen? Give it a shot, and you’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish with a little patience and care.
