Tarragon comes in two types, French and Russian, and in Scotland the choice is between the better flavour and the plant that gets through the winter. There are no named cultivarsA plant variety that arose or was bred under cultivation and is kept true by deliberate propagation, rather than a naturally occurring wild species. Full definition → to weigh up beyond these two.
Quick answer
Russian tarragon for a spot in the ground: it copes far better with UK winters and grows from seed, though in a high-rainfall area it needs winter cover too. French tarragon if flavour matters most, bought as a plant and grown in a pot you can move to shelter for the winter.
What Scotland means for the choice
French tarragon can struggle in UK winters because of the wet and cold together, and Scotland's climate is wetter than most of the UK's. It also struggles in heavy, poorly drained soil. Both types are rated H4The RHS's H1a–H7 scale for how much cold a plant can survive outdoors, H1a being tender indoor-only and H7 hardy anywhere in the UK. Full definition →, hardy to about -10°C, so it's the wet that separates them. That rating isn't reliable in inland valleys, at altitude or in central and northerly areas, so in a cold Scottish garden even Russian tarragon is worth a sheltered, free-drainingSoil that lets water pass through quickly rather than pooling, so roots aren't sitting in wet ground after rain. Full definition → spot. In high-rainfall areas, Russian tarragon needs the same winter care as French: a pot that can come under cover, or at least a clocheA small, portable clear cover placed over an individual plant or short row to trap warmth and keep off wind, rain and pests. Full definition →. The tarragon growing guide covers sowing, care and winter protection.
| Type | Size | Flavour | Grown from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French | 50–75cm tall, about 30cm wide | Peppery, a hint of liquorice | Bought plants | Cooking; a pot moved to shelter for winter |
| Russian | About 1m tall, 50cm wide | Grassier, slightly bitter | Seed or plants | The open ground |
Neither holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
French tarragon
French tarragon is widely regarded as the better herb for cooking. It's a smaller, daintier plant with slender, smooth leaves and a peppery flavour with a hint of liquorice. It's shy to flower and set seed, so seed generally isn't sold: buy a young plant. Because it may not survive winter outside, it's best grown in a container and moved somewhere sheltered for the winter.
Russian tarragon
Russian tarragon is a larger, tougher and more vigorous plant, growing to about 1m, and a good choice for planting in the ground because it copes far better with UK winters. It lacks the warm aniseed flavour of French tarragon and tastes grassier, with a slight bitterness. It's easy to grow from seed sown in spring.
Buying the right one
Plants sold as either type can be quite variable, and both go under several names: French tarragon is also sold as Artemisia dracunculus 'Sativa', and Russian as 'Inodora'. These are the same two types, not extra cultivars. If you can, buy in person and check the aroma before you pay. Young plants of both are sold in spring and summer by garden retailers and herb nurseries. Any tarragon seed you find will be Russian, because French tarragon seed generally isn't sold.
Both are short-lived perennials, French tarragon especially, so expect to renew a plant by dividingPropagating a clump-forming perennial by digging it up and splitting it into several smaller pieces, each with roots and shoots attached. Full definition → it every few years rather than keeping one clump for good. For French tarragon in a pot, use one at least 20cm wide and deep, with grit mixed into the compost for drainage. The leaves are best used fresh: dried, they taste milder.
Which one for your situation
- A permanent spot in the ground: Russian tarragon, with winter cover in a high-rainfall area.
- The best flavour for cooking: French tarragon, in a pot.
- Growing from seed: Russian tarragon.
- A cold, wet or exposed garden: Russian tarragon in a sheltered, free-draining spot, or French only if it can come under cover for winter.
Common questions
Can I grow French tarragon from seed?
Not usually. It's shy to flower and set seed, so seed generally isn't sold. Buy a young plant instead.
Will French tarragon survive a Scottish winter outside?
It may not. It struggles with wet and cold together, so grow it in a pot and move it somewhere sheltered for the winter.
Is tarragon seed French or Russian?
Russian. French tarragon rarely flowers or sets seed, so its seed generally isn't sold, and seed sold as tarragon is the Russian type.
How do I tell French and Russian tarragon apart?
French is smaller, with slender, smooth leaves and a peppery, liquorice flavour. Russian grows taller and tastes grassier and slightly bitter. Plants are variable, so check the aroma before buying.
Sources
Show the 4 sources
- Tarragon: grow your own: The two types, sizes, flavour, synonyms, variable plants and checking aroma; French struggles with wet and cold, best in a container; Russian copes far better and grows from seed; French seed generally unavailable; Russian needs the same care in high-rainfall areas; when plants are sold; short-lived perennials and dividing; container size and grit; dried leaves milder
- Hardiness rating definitions: What H4 means, and where it is less dependable
- Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa (French tarragon): H4; struggles in heavy, poorly drained soil
- Artemisia dracunculus (Russian tarragon): H4; full sun, well-drained soil