Tansy Tanacetum vulgare
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Europe and temperate Asia. It grows 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Tansy in your garden →
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Tansy at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe and temperate Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada |
| Invasive in | Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Montana, Minnesota and other US states (noxious weed), Canada (several provinces): check local rules before planting |
Is Tansy toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: leaves, flowers, oil
Thujone makes tansy poisonous if eaten in quantity or taken as oil; it was once used to induce abortion, with deaths recorded. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Tansy
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Tansy
- How far apart should I plant Tansy?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Tansy need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tansy need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Tansy?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Tansy flower?
- From about July for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Tansy poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Thujone makes tansy poisonous if eaten in quantity or taken as oil; it was once used to induce abortion, with deaths recorded. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
- What grows well with Tansy?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tansy. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- Poisonous plants of North Carolina / Plant Toolbox toxicity, NC State Extension
Notes and assumptions
- Fern-like, strongly scented leaves and flat clusters of yellow button flowers. Medieval households strewed it and baked bitter "tansies" at Easter; packed in coffins against decay. Today grown for its looks and for dried flowers; spreads by rhizomes.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus