Tarragon is a perennial culinary herb, grown for the flavor it brings to the kitchen, ready to harvest about 60 days after planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 4 through 8, stands up to deer and grows just as well in a container as in the ground.
Zones
4-8
pH Range
4.9-7.5
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
60
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What Tarragon is
Tarragon grows as a perennial and reaches around two feet at maturity. It blooms yellow in summer. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Tarragon
Tarragon grows in USDA zones 4 through 8 and is ready to harvest about 60 days after planting. Tarragon does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.9 to 7.5, on well-drained ground. It needs around 1,000 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 120 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
4-8
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.9 - 7.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
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Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
39.2°F
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Days to Maturity
60 days
French tarragon; sterile cultivar; propagated by division/cutting only (no seed).
UMD-Herb
GDD Required
1000+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
2 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
120+
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Start the season right
Plant tarragon in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Tarragon prefers pH 4.9 to 7.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at maturity
Tarragon is ready about 60 days after planting (UMD-Herb). Snip sprigs as you need them — regular cutting keeps the foliage tender and slows it bolting to flower.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — tarragon isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Tarragon isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data — pair it with high-value bloomers nearby to feed bees.
Where Tarragon thrives
Tarragon is hardy across USDA zones 4 through 8. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 4–8·Where Tarragon growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Tarragon can grow in these states:
See if Tarragon will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether tarragon actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Tarragon in my zone?
Tarragon grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
How long does Tarragon take to grow?
Tarragon is ready to harvest about 60 days after planting (UMD-Herb). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Tarragon?
Most growers plant tarragon after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 120-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Tarragon need?
Tarragon needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Tarragon need?
Tarragon prefers soil pH 4.9 to 7.5, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Tarragon attract pollinators?
Tarragon isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data. Pairing it with high-value bloomers nearby keeps bees and butterflies fed.
Is Tarragon safe for pets?
Tarragon is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.