Can tarragon be propagated from cuttings?

French tarragon should be propagated using cuttings, as it does not produce viable seeds. This cloning method will maintain its signature anise flavor! I have successfully propagated dozens of plants with this method. It allows you to have exact duplicates of your best plants.

Late spring gives the best chance for cuttings. Select healthy stems that have fresh new growth. With a sterilized pair of shears, cut 4-6 inches below the leaf nodes. Strip the bottom leaves to direct energy to root development. Harvesting in the morning yields the healthiest cuttings.

Enhance your success with rooting hormone. Knocking off gel formulations containing indole-3-butyric acid causes cell development in root cells. You should definitely see roots with a concentration of 0.3%. Plant cuttings into a slightly moist blend of perlite and peat immediately after application.

Be on the lookout for common pitfalls. Overwatering will rot cuttings, and underwatering will desiccate them. Fungal problems manifest as white fuzz. Air circulation can prevent this. My first batch failed before I placed a small fan near them.

Transplant the plants once the roots are approximately 2 inches long. Gradually acclimate the plants to outdoor conditions. Space them in prepared beds at 18 inches apart. Your new tarragon plants will give you authentic flavor for many years to come. I am still using descendants from the original plant.

Read the full article: How to Grow Tarragon: A Complete Guide