When does Russian Tarragon bloom?

Russian Tarragon typically blooms from June through August, producing small clusters of greenish yellow flowers.

What pollinators visit Russian Tarragon?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors to its small, wind exposed flower heads.

How much water does Russian Tarragon need?

It prefers low water once established and does not tolerate consistently wet soil.

What light does Russian Tarragon need to grow well?

It grows best in full sun, needing several hours of direct sunlight each day to flower reliably.

What kind of habitat suits Russian Tarragon?

It does well in open, dry sites such as prairies, plains, and rocky or sandy soils with good drainage.

Is Russian Tarragon toxic to dogs?

Yes. Russian Tarragon is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Russian Tarragon toxic to cats?

Yes. Russian Tarragon is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Russian Tarragon HOA-friendly?

Russian Tarragon takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Russian Tarragon

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Artemisia dracunculus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Russian Tarragon is a drought tolerant forb that blooms from June through August. It grows best in full sun with low water, thriving in dry grasslands and open plains habitats across the western and central United States.

Russian Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) — Photo: (c) Eric Lamb, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Russian Tarragon is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

24"–48" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, IA and 20 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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Russian tarragon is a hardy perennial herb with narrow, silvery-green leaves and an upright, bushy growth habit. It produces small, inconspicuous greenish flowers in summer and tolerates drought well once established. The foliage has a mild anise-like fragrance when crushed.

Growing Russian Tarragon

Grow Russian Tarragon in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Russian Tarragon takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Can appear weedy and unkempt
Tends to spread and may look uncontrolled
Inconspicuous flowers don't provide ornamental appeal

Wildlife value

This plant attracts bees and beetles during its summer blooming period. The small flowers provide nectar for pollinators, though it's not considered a major wildlife magnet.

Common questions

When does Russian Tarragon bloom?: Russian Tarragon typically blooms from June through August, producing small clusters of greenish yellow flowers.
What pollinators visit Russian Tarragon?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors to its small, wind exposed flower heads.
How much water does Russian Tarragon need?: It prefers low water once established and does not tolerate consistently wet soil.
What light does Russian Tarragon need to grow well?: It grows best in full sun, needing several hours of direct sunlight each day to flower reliably.
What kind of habitat suits Russian Tarragon?: It does well in open, dry sites such as prairies, plains, and rocky or sandy soils with good drainage.
Is Russian Tarragon toxic to dogs?: Yes. Russian Tarragon is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Russian Tarragon toxic to cats?: Yes. Russian Tarragon is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Russian Tarragon HOA-friendly?: Russian Tarragon takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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