Common Tansy Seed

CommonTansy Seed

Golden button flowers form distinctive summer clusters
Aromatic foliage has a long garden-use history
Tough plants tolerate poorer soils once established
Manage spreading growth to prevent unwanted garden escape

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Tanacetum vulgare

Days to maturity

75 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

1,000 Seeds

Zones 3–9 Check your growing zone

About Common, Tansy Seed, Tansy Seed

Tansy is a beautiful yellow blooming herb that actually can help repel insects and may help deter ants and mice in the garden. This herb works better when its made into a tea and sprayed around the yard. If placed in a compost pile, Tansy will add potassium to it. Tansy will grow to be 2-3 feet in height.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/4"

Days to Germination

14–21 days

In-row plant spacing

6-18"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Perennial

Hardiness Zone

Zones 3-9

Plant Height

48 inches

Growth Habits

Clumping, Upright, Spreading

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

14,688

Color

Yellow

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

For Tansy, select a full-sun to lightly shaded location with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Remove weeds, work compost into the bed, and provide good air circulation without exposing plants to severe wind. Prepare a fine seedbed and verify whether tansy seed needs chilling, soaking, or light for germination.

Planting

Sow tansy outdoors in fall or start indoors according to its germination requirement; many perennial species benefit from a cool period before warmth. Maintain even moisture during germination and provide bright light after emergence. Harden indoor-grown seedlings before planting outdoors. Transplant while young to minimize root disturbance, and thin direct sowings after sturdy true leaves develop.

Watering

Tansy needs consistent moisture during establishment but tolerates moderate dryness afterward. Water deeply during prolonged drought, allowing the upper soil to dry between applications.

Fertilizer

Tansy generally needs only a light spring application of compost or slow-release balanced fertilizer. Avoid repeated high-nitrogen feeding, which creates weak growth and fewer flowers.

Harvesting

Harvest tansy as buds begin opening or when blooms reach full color, depending on intended use. Cut above a branching point, place stems in water promptly, and remove spent flowers regularly.

Tips

Contain tansy because it spreads by roots and seed, removing flower heads before they mature. The plant can be toxic if ingested and may irritate skin, so use gloves during handling.

Pests & Diseases

Tansy may develop powdery mildew, rust, leaf spots, or crown rot. Thin invasive clumps to improve airflow and cut infected stems before seeds mature. Avoid moving diseased divisions to new sites. Replant only firm, healthy crown sections and keep them out of persistently wet soil.

Monitor tansy for aphids, mites, whiteflies, leafminers, and slugs. Remove badly infested stems, maintain weed control, and select treatments labeled for edible herbs when intervention is necessary.