Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a cheerful, unfussy perennial with plenty of uses. And it’s the usefulness of tansy that will likely persuade you to grow some yourself — it’s known as a natural insect repellent, and it also attracts bees, hoverflies and other helpful insects. From midsummer into autumn, it produces bright yellow button flowers that can even be used to make a natural yellow dye.
Easy to grow and hardy, it can reach up to 120cm tall. Best grown in a big pot or tucked into a corner where it can spread a little. Discover more — details below.
🌱 Seasonal Growing Guide
SOW: in sow in spring or early autumn, in trays or small pots, seed depth 10mm.
GROW: when large enough to handle plant out. You can pinch out growing tips and first set of leaves in May to create a bushier plant. Tansy likes full or part sun in a moist well drained soil. Tansy can spread; in small gardens, perhaps grow in a container. Height 60-120cm and flowering from July to early autumn. Cut down in early spring.
📌USES
WILDLIFE FRIENDLY
Tansy’s perfect for honeybees and short-tongued bumblebees looking for late-season nectar.
Loved by ladybirds, whose larvae help control aphids around the garden.
Supports the Tansy Plume Moth and Cinnabar Moth — both use it for nectar, and the former relies on it for its caterpillars.
Leaving seed heads through autumn can attract goldfinches looking for a tasty snack.
Wrens, robins and blue tits can often be seen foraging in and around Tansy plants.
NATURAL DYE PLANT– dyeing information will be added as soon as I can - R
Tansy gives a beautiful yellow dye – totally natural
CULINARY
Tansy can be used occasionally in small amounts in cooking. It has a strong, peppery taste and can be used as a substitute for pepper. It compliments scrambled eggs and omelettes, herb butters, and marinades. It can be used fresh or minced.
Caution: Don't ingest Tansy at all if pregnant
NATURAL INSECT REPELLANT
A ‘tea’ brewed from the leaves of the tansy plant can be sprayed on other plants to help repel insects
Sprigs in a vase in the kitchen will deter flies in the summer
GOOD FOR YOUR COMPOST HEAP
Chopped plants added to your compost heap help produce an accessible potassium mix
HISTORICAL
An aromatic strewing herb in the Middle Ages, and medicinal uses since the Ancient Greeks include help with bruising, rheumatism, varicose veins and sprains.
CAUTION: Don't ingest Tansy at all if pregnant, don’t grow near grazing farm animals, can cause contact skin irritation.
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