HerbTarragon
Russian Tarragon
Russian
Russian Tarragon is a hardy perennial herb with woody stems and slender, light-green leaves that bring a distinctly mild, earthy flavor to the kitchen. Unlike its more pungent French cousin, this Artemisia dracunculoides variety grows as a low-lying shrub reaching about 24 inches tall and thrives in zones 4 through 8, making it resilient enough for northern gardens. You can harvest usable foliage in 90 to 99 days, though some sources report readiness as early as 60 days. It's equally at home in the ground or a container, and its woody structure means it returns reliably each year with minimal winter protection.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/tarragon-russian-seeds)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-8
Sunlight
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained Loam; Tolerates Poor Soil
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
PeriodPerennial
TypeBush
Spacing
18-24 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
—
Zones
4-8
Size
?in H x ?in W
Growth
Perennial
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
Russian Tarragon earns its place in perennial herb gardens through sheer hardiness and culinary subtlety. The mild, layered flavor works where French Tarragon's intensity would overwhelm, slipping quietly into soups, stews, and fish dishes as that mysterious ingredient guests can't quite identify. Its ability to overwinter with little fuss in cold climates, combined with its ornamental appeal as a flowering herb, gives it double duty in the garden. The woody, shrubby growth habit also means you're not replanting each spring.
Common Uses
Russian Tarragon works beautifully in soups and stews, where its mild earthiness enhances without dominating. It pairs exceptionally well with fish and lamb, lending a subtle sophistication to these dishes. The herb also functions as a versatile kitchen staple for subtle flavoring in sauces, vinegars, and compound butters, where you want a hint of tarragon character without overwhelming intensity. Beyond the kitchen, its medicinal and cosmetic applications have made it popular among herbalists and natural beauty practitioners.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Late Spring
First Harvest
Early Summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start Russian Tarragon seeds indoors in temperatures between 55 and 70°F about 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds on moist soil and provide consistent warmth and light. Keep the soil surface moist but not waterlogged during germination.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days by exposing them to increasing outdoor light and air movement. Transplant after the last frost date when soil has warmed and plants are 3 to 4 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow room for the shrubby growth habit to develop.
Direct Sow
Direct sowing is possible in spring after frost danger passes, though indoor starting gives better control over seedling establishment and earlier harvests.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting Russian Tarragon foliage once plants are established, typically 90 to 99 days from sowing, though you may see usable growth earlier. Pinch or cut leaves from the growing tips throughout the season to encourage branching and prevent flowering if you want to maximize leaf production. Harvest in the morning after dew has dried for the best flavor concentration. Cut stems back by about one-third regularly to maintain a productive, bushy plant.
Pruning
Prune Russian Tarragon lightly and regularly during the growing season to encourage bushier, more compact growth and to prevent the woody stems from becoming leggy. Remove spent flower stems to direct energy into leaf production. In early spring, cut back the previous year's growth to about 3 to 4 inches above the soil to rejuvenate the plant and promote fresh foliage.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
EdibleNative Species
Soil pH Range
6 – 7.5
Scientific Classification
Artemisia dracunculus L.
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Artemisia
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Subshrub, Forb/herb
Native Status
L48 (N)AK (I?)CAN (N)
History & Origin
“Russian Tarragon represents a practical alternative that emerged from the need for a hardier tarragon option in northern climates. While French Tarragon, the more aromatic and pungent relative, demands warmth and constant division to propagate, Russian Tarragon was selected for its ability to survive cold winters and establish itself reliably from seed. Heirloom seed companies like True Leaf Market preserve this variety as a Non-GMO line, recognizing its value to gardeners who want tarragon without the fussiness of French cultivars. Its journey reflects a broader shift in herb gardening toward hardy, self-sufficient perennials.”