Will my tarragon grow back after losing leaves?

Yes, if the roots are healthy, the plant will push out new growth once the environmental stress is corrected.

Should I prune the bare stems?

You can trim back bare stems to encourage bushier growth, but wait until the plant shows signs of recovery.

Why is my tarragon losing its leaves? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the soil moisture with your finger.
Inspect the drainage holes for blockages.
Observe the light levels in your plant's current spot.

Likely causes

Overwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and drop while the soil remains soggy for days.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out. Ensure your pot has drainage holes and consider repotting into a faster draining mix if the soil stays wet.
Light deficiency
Possible
How to tell: The plant looks stretched out and drops leaves from the bottom up as it struggles to photosynthesize.
What to do: Move your tarragon to a spot with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun. If you are growing indoors, place it in a south facing window or use a grow light.

Leaf drop in other plants

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.

When to worry

If the plant drops all its foliage within a few days, it is likely in severe distress. It is normal for a few older leaves to drop occasionally as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and ensure the plant gets plenty of direct sunlight every day.

Tarragon: leaf drop? 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will my tarragon grow back after losing leaves?: Yes, if the roots are healthy, the plant will push out new growth once the environmental stress is corrected.
Should I prune the bare stems?: You can trim back bare stems to encourage bushier growth, but wait until the plant shows signs of recovery.

Why is my tarragon losing its leaves?