Tansy
Tanacetum vulgare
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Pl. 5CEC — Tanacetum vulgare
Tanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgareTanacetum vulgare
IOverview
Overview
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a perennial herb native to regions across Europe and Asia, including Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and parts of Russia such as the Altay and Krasnoyarsk. This plant thrives in light, medium, or heavy soil with a pH between 7.5 and 8, making it well-suited for dry to moist conditions. Known for its distinctive fern-like leaves and yellow button-like flowers, tansy can grow up to 1 meter tall and spread about half a meter wide. It is valued not only as an ornamental plant but also for its edible parts—both the leaves and flowers are used in cooking.
Quick answers
What is Tansy?
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a perennial herb native to regions across Europe and Asia, including Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and parts of Russia such as the Altay and Krasnoyarsk. This plant thrives in light, medium, or heavy soil with a pH between 7.
What is Tansy used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Tansy
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Tansy has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine to support digestion, often prepared as a tea or tincture. It is believed to help alleviate digestive discomfort and stimulate appetite.
The mechanism by which Tansy supports digestion is not fully characterized but may involve the presence of sesquiterpene lactones, which have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties in other plants within the Asteraceae family.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Tansy support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Tansy thrives in well-drained soils with a pH between 7.5 and 8, making it suitable for alkaline environments. It prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soil types but can handle dry to moist conditions. Plant Tansy in full sun to partial shade, as it has a moderate light requirement of 8/10. This perennial grows up to 1 meter tall and spreads to about half a meter wide. Hardy from zones 3-8, Tansy is adaptable to various temperate regions. For propagation, divide the roots or sow seeds in spring. Harvest its edible leaves and flowers for culinary use.
Light
8/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.0 m × 0.5 m
Soil pH
7.5–8
For first-time growers
How to grow Tansy for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple tansy plant and follow these steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
A tansy plant or seeds, a small pot or garden bed, good quality soil, and water.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in early fall for best results.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining with a pH of 7.5–8, and prepare your garden bed or pot accordingly.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the ground after danger of frost has passed, or start seeds indoors and transplant them later.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun exposure and regular watering. Prune back in late summer to encourage new growth.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune regularly to maintain shape and prevent the plant from becoming too large. Harvest leaves and flowers as needed for use.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough sunlight, neglecting regular pruning.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeaves
Edible uses: Condiment, Tea
Other uses:CompostDyeEssential OilPest controlStrewingDynamic accumulatorFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe15 regions
native (15)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyRussiaUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia4 regions
native (4)ChinaJapanKazakhstanSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Altay, Baltic States, Buryatiya, Chita, Czechoslovakia, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk
VIIIGarden companions
2 pairs
Garden companions
2 pairsPlant near these
These plants help — by repelling pests, fixing nitrogen, attracting pollinators, or sharing space well.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 5cec628d-c2b0-4287-a0c1-4fcf016543fe
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