This study utilized gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry(GC-IMS)and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)to investigate the volatile components of tarragon.The results indicated that essential oil accumulation was a gradual process during the growth and development of tarragon on the southern slope of the Tianshan mountains.The detection results of GC-IMS showed that tarragon leaves contained 35 volatile organic compounds(VOCs)with carbon chains ranging from C2 to C10,mainly including 6 terpenes,12 aldehydes,4 alcohols,1 furan,3 esters,5 ketones,and 4 other substances,with significant differences among them.The detection of GC-MS identified 54 volatile organic compounds in tarragon essential oil,with carbon chains ranging from C7 to C32,including 16 terpenes,12 alcohols,9 esters,4 phenols,and 2 aldehydes etc.GC-MS detected a relatively large number of species with higher relative molecular weight.The complementary use of GC-MS and GC-IMS technologies can provide comprehensive information on the volatile components of tarragon,offering new research perspectives for the development,utilization,analysis and detection of tarragon and its essential oils.