Tarragon is the classic French herb for chicken, fish and egg dishes, with a distinctive anise flavour that no other herb quite matches. In Zone 10 it grows as a perennial, giving you fresh leaves for most of the year from a single plant.
Buy French tarragon, not Russian tarragon: French tarragon has the true, rich flavour and only grows from cuttings or nursery plants, while Russian tarragon grows easily from seed but tastes weak and coarse. Check the label — if it is sold as seed, it is not French tarragon.
Zone 10 at a glance
USDA Zone 10 covers the warmest parts of the United States — South Florida, the southernmost tip of Texas, coastal Southern California and Hawaii. Winters are mild, with average winter lows of 30 to 40°F, and the growing season runs nearly all year, with frost a rare event rather than a season marker.
The average last spring frost in Zone 10 is Jan 15–30, and the average first autumn frost is Dec 15–31 — and frost is rare in most Zone 10 gardens. These are USDA zone averages drawn from NOAA frost records, not exact dates for any one garden — always check your local extension service and the forecast before planting tender crops outside.
| Detail | Zone 10 guidance |
|---|---|
| Average winter low | 30 to 40°F |
| Average last spring frost | Jan 15–30 (frost rare; average/range) |
| Average first autumn frost | Dec 15–31 (frost rare; average/range) |
| Days to germination | 10–14 days |
| Days to maturity | 60–90 days |
| Sowing | both |
| Sun | full sun |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Spacing | 18–24 inches |
| Water needs | low |
| Cold tolerance | hardy |
When to plant tarragon in Zone 10
Plant tarragon in Zone 10 from February through April, from nursery plants or divisions — French tarragon does not come true from seed, and seed takes 10–14 days to germinate anyway. Plants mature in 60–90 days. The average last spring frost is Jan 15–30 and the average first autumn frost is Dec 15–31, and frost is rare, so cold is not the limiting factor — summer heat and humidity are, and tarragon grows best in the cooler months, slowing in the hottest weather. A spring planting gives you a full season of picking before the heat.
Work back from the frost dates rather than from a calendar date: the planting calendar hub gives the Zone 10 picture month by month. The month guides for February in Zone 10 and April in Zone 10 show what else is happening at planting time. The seed starting calculator can help you work out your exact sowing dates.
Starting tarragon in Zone 10
Buy a nursery plant labelled French tarragon, or take cuttings or divisions from a known plant. Set plants out 18–24 inches apart in full sun, in soil that drains freely, and water in well. Tarragon hates wet feet, so a raised bed or a large pot with gritty mix is often the best home for it in Zone 10. Keep the crown clear of mulch heaped against the stems, and water sparingly once established — tarragon flavour is actually stronger when the plant is grown a little on the dry side.
Soil, spacing, sun and water
Tarragon needs full sun in Zone 10 — in the hottest months a little afternoon shade keeps leaves tender and prevents scorch, but too much shade weakens flavour and growth. It grows best in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Tarragon prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5 and dislikes rich, wet ground. Dig in some grit or compost for drainage, but skip heavy fertiliser. Space plants 18–24 inches apart so air can move between them; crowded plants stay damp and invite disease in Zone 10 humidity. Water needs are low: water deeply but infrequently once established, and let the soil dry between waterings — wet feet are the fastest way to lose this plant in Zone 10. A raised bed or a pot with drainage holes is often the easiest way to get the drainage right, so work out how much mix a bed or container needs before you buy.
Companion planting
Good companions for tarragon include tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, cabbage. Tarragon grows well near tomatoes, peppers and cabbage, and it is traditionally planted near vegetables throughout the garden, where its scent is said to benefit its neighbours. Keep it in a sunny, dry spot rather than among thirsty crops that are watered often. The February guide for Zone 10 in February shows what else is going in at the same time.
Our guide to when to plant fennel in Zone 10 shows how to time a second crop alongside it. For comparison with a cooler zone, see when to plant tarragon in Zone 9.
Pests and problems
The common pests to watch for with tarragon are aphids, slugs, thrips. Aphids may gather on soft spring growth — wash them off with water. Slugs can nibble young leaves in damp weather, and thrips may mark the foliage. Tarragon is generally trouble-free in Zone 10; root rot from wet soil and heat stress cause more losses than insects. Check the undersides of leaves weekly — most Zone 10 pest problems are small when caught early and much harder once they spread. Avoid spraying broad insecticides on herbs you plan to eat; a strong jet of water, hand-picking and encouraging ladybirds and other beneficial insects will deal with most outbreaks.
Harvest and storage
Start picking tarragon once plants are established, about 60–90 days after planting, and pick little and often. Snip stem tips in the morning, when the oils are strongest, and use leaves fresh — tarragon is one of the few herbs that keeps its flavour well when frozen, so chop and freeze it in oil or water for winter use. Dried tarragon is milder but still usable. Cut plants back by a third in mid-season to encourage fresh growth, and divide crowded clumps every two to three years in spring.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant tarragon in Zone 10?
Plant from February through April, from nursery plants or divisions. French tarragon does not grow true from seed.
French or Russian tarragon — which should I grow?
French tarragon, for flavour. Russian tarragon grows easily from seed but tastes weak and coarse. Buy French tarragon as a plant.
Why is my tarragon dying in Zone 10?
Usually wet soil or summer heat and humidity. It needs sharp drainage, full sun and watering at the base, and it grows best in the cooler months.
Can I dry tarragon?
Yes, though freezing keeps the flavour better. Chop fresh leaves and freeze them in oil or water; dried tarragon is milder but still usable.