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 the treatment of 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 fly, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetle, cutworm, flies, cabbageworm, Japanese beetle, and squash bug.
• 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.