Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the leaves to see if they are brittle or soft.
- Check the temperature near the plant.
- Verify the soil is not bone dry.
Likely causes
Heat stress
Most likelyHow to tell: Leaves curl inward during the hottest part of the day to conserve moisture.
What to do: Provide some afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Ensure the plant is well watered during these hot spells.
Low humidity
PossibleHow to tell: The edges of the leaves curl and feel brittle to the touch.
What to do: Mist the plant occasionally or place it on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Avoid placing the plant directly in front of heating or cooling vents.
Find out what's wrong with your tarragon
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If the curling is accompanied by browning or crispy edges, the plant is suffering from dehydration. Minor curling during a heatwave is a normal protective response.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant in a spot with consistent temperatures and avoid placing it near drafts.
Tarragon: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your tarragon and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Does tarragon need to flower?
- Tarragon rarely flowers in home gardens, and it does not need to bloom to be useful. It is grown primarily for its flavorful leaves.
- Will watering more fix the curling?
- Only if the soil is dry. If the soil is already moist, adding more water will lead to root rot.
More problems with Tarragon
- Why is my tarragon plant wilting and dying at the base?
- Why are there white dusty spots on my tarragon leaves?
- Why is my tarragon growing tall and thin?
- Why are my tarragon leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my tarragon's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my tarragon drooping?
- Why is my tarragon losing its leaves?
- What are these bugs on my tarragon?
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.