Russian Tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculoides ) is a perennial culinary herb which grows wild to 1 metre tall in its native regions of Russia and North America. It is less popular than the French Tarragon (which cannot be grown from seed), but is still widely used in dishes across Hungary, Georgia, and many other eastern European countries. The Russian variety although not as strong in flavour, is a much hardier plant than the French variety, so is easier to grow and care for … and certainly easier to get hold of! Many people prefer the flavour of the Russian Tarragon because it is not as strong as the French, especially if they are not a fan of Anise! Other common names for Russian Tarragon are False Tarragon and Dragon Wormwood. Growth Artemisia dracunculoides is a herbaceous plant that grows to around 1.2 metres tall and ½ a metre wide. The leaves are long and thin, light green colour and get to around 8 cm’s in length, the small flowers of this species are light yellow. For culinary purposes, this plant has better flavour if it is grown in drier, almost neglected conditions, it is for this reason it possibly isn’t suitable in tropical regions. Use the leaves when they are freshly harvested as the flavour is lost in storage, you will need to use a little more than you would of the French variety as it is nowhere near as strong. There are a couple of differences that distinguish this species from the French variety, firstly the French Tarragon has darker green leaves, that are thinner and a little spikier and secondly it doesn’t flower (or very rarely). Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record. FAMILY: Asteraceae CLIMATE: Cold, Temperate, Dry TEMPERATURE RANGE: -32-40°C / -25-104°F. The plant can die back during very cold winters, but roots will survive, and the plant will grow back once the weather allows. SOIL TYPE: This plant does best in poor quality, dry soils and seems to thrive on neglect. LOCATION: Full Sun – Part Shade HEIGHT: Up to 1 metre (3 feet) WIDTH: Up to ½ metre (1.5 feet) pH: 6.0-8.0 GROWTH TYPE: Perennial. Herbaceous WATER REQUIREMENTS: Light POLLINATION: Wind pollinated. Flowers are bisexual. MATURITY: 18 months – 2 years GERMINATION RATES: 83-90% GERMINATION TIME: 10-21 days GERMINATION DIFFICULTY: Easy SEEDS PER GRAM: Approximately 5,500 MEDICINAL QUALITIES: Yes WEED POTENTIAL: Yes EDIBLE: Yes. SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY: Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3-4 years. FACTS ABOUT ARTEMISIA DRACUNCULOIDES (Russian Tarragon) Russian Tarragon has been used for medicinal purposes traditionally as a diuretic, an appetite inducer, to aid in digestion and most commonly for insomnia. Artemisia can be used fresh, dried, or made into a liquid to repel insects.
