Tansy

With its clusters of bright yellow button-like flowers and ferny foliage, Tansy brings an old-world charm to gardens and borders. Once a staple in traditional medicinal and cottage gardens, it now earns its place for both ornamental value and insect-repelling properties.

Tansy is tough, bold, and a bit wild — ideal for those looking to add structure and vibrant color to their summer display while also supporting beneficial insects and deterring pests naturally.

Portrait of the Tansy

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a hardy herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family. Native to Europe and Asia, it’s known for its aromatic foliage, long-lasting blooms, and ability to naturalize in many conditions.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Common Names: Tansy, Common Tansy, Bitter Buttons

Foliage and Form

Tansy’s finely divided, fern-like foliage is aromatic and adds texture to garden beds. Its upright growth and clumping habit make it excellent for mid-border planting.

Height: 60–120 cm (2–4 ft)
Spread: 30–60 cm (1–2 ft)
Growth Habit: Upright, clumping, spreads by rhizomes

Blooms and Fragrance

The golden-yellow flowers bloom in tight, flat-topped clusters and are highly attractive to pollinators — especially bees and butterflies.

Bloom Time: Mid to late summer (July–September)
Color: Bright yellow
Fragrance: Strong, medicinal or camphor-like scent

The Right Time to Plant, Prune, and Enjoy Tansy

Month	Planting	Flowering	Pruning
January	❌	❌	❌
February	✅ Indoors (seeds)	❌	❌
March	✅ Indoors or sow outdoors	❌	❌
April	✅ Transplant seedlings	❌	✅ Pinch to shape
May	✅	❌	❌
June	❌	✅ Start	❌
July	❌	✅ Peak bloom	✅ Deadhead to prolong flowering
August	❌	✅	✅ Trim faded blooms
September	❌	✅ Final blooms	✅ Light shaping
October	❌	❌	✅ Cut back foliage post-bloom
November	❌	❌	✅ Mulch or compost cut stems
December	❌	❌	❌

✅ = Recommended ❌ = Not advised

Watering, Sunlight, and Environment for Tansy

Watering

Tansy is drought-tolerant once established and prefers light, well-drained soil.

When to Water: Only during dry spells
How Much: Light to moderate
Watch out for: Overwatering, especially in heavy soils

Sunlight

To thrive and flower profusely, tansy needs full sun, though it tolerates partial shade.

Ideal Exposure: 6–8 hours of sun per day
Shady Sites: Tolerated, but may lead to leggy growth and fewer blooms

Indoor vs Outdoor

Tansy is an outdoor plant, best suited for wild gardens, herb borders, or pollinator beds. Indoors, it can become leggy and lacks airflow.

Best Location: Garden beds, borders, cottage gardens
Avoid: Growing indoors or in containers long-term

Temperature

This hardy plant tolerates cold winters and hot summers.

Optimal Range: 10–27°C (50–81°F)
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 3–9
Protection Tip: Minimal — this plant is tough!

Ideal Soil Conditions for Growing Tansy

Soil Feature	Optimal Condition	Why It Matters
Soil Type	Loamy or sandy soil	Drains well, supports strong growth
Texture	Moderately fine	Allows root expansion
Drainage	Well-draining	Prevents root rot
Moisture	Low to moderate	Too much water weakens the plant
Soil pH	Neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5–7.5)	Tolerant of a broad range
Fertility	Low to moderate	Too much nitrogen causes floppiness

Common Problems & Solutions

Issue 🐾	Symptoms 🔍	Solutions 🛠️
Overgrowth 🌿	Aggressive spread, unwanted seedlings	Divide or root-barrier the area
Powdery Mildew 🌫️	White coating on leaves	Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering
Aphids 🐜	Sticky leaves, curled stems	Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap
Leggy Growth 🌱	Sparse stems, few blooms	Provide full sun and cut back in spring
Unwanted Reseeding 🌼	New plants popping up everywhere	Deadhead before seeds form

Tansy is more than just a splash of yellow in a summer border — it’s a low-maintenance pollinator magnet, a natural pest deterrent, and a relic of herbal folklore. While it spreads readily, with a bit of attention and occasional trimming, it can be a bold, useful, and beautiful presence in your garden.