Propagating tarragon is not difficult. However, the variety of the herb should be known in order to use the correct propagation technique.
Three varieties of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) can be found in our gardens. In addition to the bitter-tasting Russian tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. inodorus), the German tarragon is particularly popular (Artemisia dracunculus var. thuringiae) and the aromatic French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativus) great popularity in cultivation. However, the three varieties of tarragon cannot be propagated in the same way for cultivation in your own garden, since the German and French tarragon almost never form germinable seeds in our country. The vegetative propagation creates clones of the mother plants, which resemble them in all properties. In the case of generative propagation via seeds, the genes are recombined so that crossbreeding is also possible.
Propagating tarragon by cuttings
French and German tarragon can only be propagated vegetatively.
Propagation by cuttings is one possibility. To do this, the tips of young shoots are cut off in late spring or summer and placed in the substrate. Until the first roots form, you should protect the cuttings from drying out. To do this, you can place them in a propagation box at high humidity and 20 to 23 °C. The cuttings are then gradually acclimated to a normal environment by ventilating the nursery in phases for longer and longer periods.
Tip: Before you cut the cuttings, you should make sure that they have not yet developed any flowers or flower buds. That would rob the cutting of energy unnecessarily and be at the expense of root formation.
Another reliable option is propagation via rhizome cuttings in spring. These creep shallowly below the soil surface and can easily be cut off in 8 to 20 cm lengths with roots and replanted elsewhere.
Split tarragon
All tarragon subspecies can be propagated by division.
Another method of vegetative propagation is the division of the tarragon plants. This process not only serves to reproduce, but also to rejuvenate the herb. It should therefore be carried out as a maintenance measure every two to three years. The tarragon is removed from the bed or pot in the spring and divided. Then the tarragon parts are simply planted again and watered well. In order for the divided plants to grow well again, care must be taken to ensure that the tarragon is cared for properly.
For propagation, whether vegetative or generative, a permeable and nutrient-poor potting soil should be used. It ensures that strong young plants with a strong root system develop. Such a substrate is, for example, our Plantura organic herb and seed soil, which ensures optimal growth conditions thanks to its loose composition.
Propagating tarragon by seeds
Only the Russian tarragon can also be propagated generatively.
The seeds are either already sown in March and grown into young plants indoors, which then follow from May be planted outside. Or you can sow directly outdoors - but then only from the end of April to protect the tender seedlings from damage caused by late frosts. then the first seedlings appear after just a few days. The optimum germination temperature is around 18 to 25 °C. Since the perennials later need a distance of about 40 by 30 cm, it makes sense to transplant the seedlings into individual pots after the first true leaves have developed.
Tip: The seeds of the tarragon do not keep for long, which is why sowing old seeds is unfortunately hardly worthwhile.
Tarragon is a so-called light germinator, which is why the seed is not covered with substrate. To protect the germinating seeds from drying out, simply press them lightly into the substrate and keep them evenly moist. For example, a transparent film can be stretched over the seed tray or special seed houses with hoods can be used, which maintain a high level of humidity and thus prevent drying out.
At a glance:
- Preculture indoors from March
- Do not cover seeds with substrate
- Put the pot in a sunny spot
- Keep the germination temperature of 18 - 25 °C
- Cover seed tray with foil or hood
- Planting outdoors from mid-May
- Outdoor seeding from the end of April
This is how the tarragon young plants continue: The young plants, whether propagated by sowing or cuttings, should only be put outdoors or in a larger pot outside from mid-May to be planted. A permeable, nutrient-poor substrate such as our Plantura organic herb and seed compost should continue to be used so that the tarragon can fully develop its aroma.
If you have grown your own tarragon from seed and the young plants are strong enough to grow outdoors - then you can find out more about what you need to consider when planting tarragon in our further article.