Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy)

Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy) is an erect, rhizomatous perennial bearing flat-topped clusters of buttonlike, golden daisy flowers in mid to late summer. They are borne atop strongly-scented, fern-like, fresh green foliage. The leaves are often harvested, dried, and used as potpourri. Tansy was once used as a short-term remedy for treating worm infestations of the gut. Today, this herb is no longer used medicinally. A natural insect repellent, tansy can be grown outside in pots around outdoor entertaining areas to deter flies and mosquitoes.

• Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). Aggressively self-seeds and its spreading rhizomes can be weedy and difficult to remove.
• Performs best in sun to part shade in dry to medium, well-drained soil. Appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Prefers moist, humus-rich soils where it can quickly spread by rhizomes but tolerates poor, dry soils where its spreading habit is more limited. Drought tolerant once established.
• Good choice for cottage gardens or naturalized areas (where it can self-seed and spread freely).
• Excellent as fresh cut flowers or in dried arrangements.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
• Tansy deters ants, asparagus beetle, cabbage butterfly, cabbage maggot, carrot rust fly, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetle, cutworm, flies, cabbageworm, Japanese beetle, and squash bug.
• Tansy oil contains thujone, which makes the plant useful to repel insects, especially mosquitoes and fleas. However, thujone is toxic and should be used cautiously, as it is toxic if ingested in large amounts.
• Tansy is a good companion plant for cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, and fruit trees such as apricots, peaches, or cherries.
• Promptly shear off spent flowers in order to control undesired self-seeding.
• Propagate by seed.
• Native to Europe.
• This plant is listed as a noxious weed in several US states and should not be moved or grown under conditions that would involve danger of dissemination.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.