Overview

Introduce the sophisticated flavor of France to your garden or kitchen with this exquisite French Tarragon live plant. This offer includes a set of two robust starter plants, each measuring approximately 4-5 inches tall, ready to thrive in your indoor or outdoor herb garden. French Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) is a highly valued perennial herb, celebrated for its unique aromatic and slightly anise-like flavor profile. Unlike other tarragon varieties, true French Tarragon must be propagated vegetatively, ensuring you receive the authentic culinary experience. Ideal for both seasoned chefs and home cooks, this herb is a cornerstone of classic French cuisine and a versatile addition to many dishes. Growing your own French Tarragon live plant provides a fresh, potent supply of this indispensable herb right at your fingertips.

Key Benefits

Cultivating your own French Tarragon live plant offers numerous advantages, from enhancing your cooking to enriching your garden. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Superior Culinary Flavor: French Tarragon is renowned for its distinctive, delicate anise-like taste, which is far more refined than its Russian counterpart. It’s an essential ingredient in classic French dishes like béarnaise sauce, fine herbs blends, and various poultry and fish recipes, elevating everyday meals to gourmet status.
• Perennial Herb: As a perennial, your French Tarragon live plant will return year after year, providing a continuous supply of fresh leaves without the need for replanting annually. This makes it a sustainable and economical choice for any herb gardener.
• Aromatic Garden Addition: Beyond its culinary uses, the plant itself adds a pleasant aroma to your garden or patio. Its slender, dark green leaves are attractive and can complement other plants in mixed containers or herb beds.
• Container Friendly: French Tarragon thrives in containers, making it an excellent choice for urban gardeners or those with limited space. You can easily grow tarragon on a sunny windowsill or balcony, ensuring fresh herbs are always within reach.
• Medicinal Properties: Historically, tarragon has been used for various medicinal purposes, including aiding digestion and acting as a mild sedative. While primarily valued for culinary use, its traditional applications add to its appeal.
• Easy to Maintain: Once established, French Tarragon plant care is relatively straightforward. It requires well-drained soil and adequate sunlight, making it a rewarding plant for gardeners of all skill levels.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your French Tarragon live plant involves understanding its specific needs to ensure vigorous growth and abundant harvests. French Tarragon thrives in mild climates and is hardy in USDA zones 5–8, though it appreciates some protection from extreme heat and humidity. For optimal growth, plant your tarragon in well-drained, light, and sandy loam soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Heavy or waterlogged soils should be avoided, as they can lead to root rot. When planting, space individual plants 18–24 inches apart to allow for good air circulation, which is crucial for preventing fungal issues. Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings; overwatering is a common mistake. The ideal sunlight exposure is full sun to partial shade. In hotter regions, providing afternoon shade will help protect the plant from scorching. Begin harvesting leaves once plants reach 8–10 inches tall, as the flavor is best before the plant flowers. This careful attention to French Tarragon plant care will result in a healthy, productive herb.

To ensure successful cultivation, especially if you want to grow tarragon indoors, consider the light conditions. A south-facing window typically provides enough light, or you can supplement with a grow light during shorter winter days. Fertilize sparingly, as too much fertilizer can diminish the herb’s flavor; a balanced, organic fertilizer once in spring is usually sufficient. Pruning regularly by harvesting leaves encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming leggy. While French Tarragon is generally pest-resistant, keep an eye out for common garden pests and address them promptly with organic solutions if necessary. Proper care will allow you to enjoy fresh culinary tarragon herb throughout the growing season.

Size & Details

This offering includes two French Tarragon live plant starter plants, each standing approximately 4-5 inches tall. These young plants are carefully nurtured to ensure they are ready for transplanting into your garden or preferred containers. French Tarragon typically grows to a mature height of 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) and spreads about 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide, forming a bushy, upright perennial. It is shipped as a live potted plant, ensuring minimal shock upon arrival. With proper care, these plants will establish quickly and begin producing flavorful leaves within weeks of planting. Expect a moderate growth rate, reaching maturity within one to two growing seasons. The plants are ideal for creating an abundant supply of tarragon for cooking and will be a valuable addition to your herb collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this French Tarragon plant get? A: A mature French Tarragon live plant typically reaches 24-36 inches (2-3 feet) in height and spreads about 18-24 inches wide. These starter plants are 4-5 inches tall upon arrival.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: French Tarragon can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives outdoors in USDA zones 5-8, but can be successfully grown indoors in a sunny location or with supplemental lighting, making it easy to grow tarragon indoors.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant prefers full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, it benefits from some afternoon shade to protect it from intense heat.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, French Tarragon plant care is relatively easy. It requires well-drained soil and consistent, moderate watering, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your French Tarragon live plant will arrive as a healthy, actively growing starter plant, carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit. Some minor leaf yellowing or wilting may occur, but the plant recovers quickly.
• Q: Can I use French Tarragon in cooking? A: Absolutely! This is the highly prized culinary tarragon herb, essential for French cuisine. It’s perfect for sauces, poultry, fish, and vinegars, providing a distinct anise-like flavor. It’s a must-have for anyone who enjoys tarragon for cooking.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: Plant root divisions or cuttings in spring after the last frost. If growing indoors, planting can occur year-round.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: French Tarragon is hardy in USDA zones 5-8. In colder zones, it can be grown as an annual or brought indoors for winter protection.