Also known as Tansy · 217 gardener saves
Tanacetum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Tanacetum, the genus most gardeners know as tansy. We track 7 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 7 most-saved Tanacetum varieties
Of 7 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGolden Feverfew
Tanacetum parthenium 'Aureum'
#2 most savedScentless Feverfew
Tanacetum corymbosum
#3 most savedFeverfew
Tanacetum parthenium
Golden Tansy
Tanacetum vulgare 'Isla Gold'
Huron tansy
Tanacetum huronense
Selma Star Feverfew
Tanacetum parthenium 'Selma Star'
Silver Tansy
Tanacetum niveum
How to grow Tanacetum
What the Tanacetum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 7 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Tanacetum year
- DeadheadJune–August86% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to keep the plant tidy
- DivideMarch, August and September71% of varieties
Divide large, crowded clumps every 3-4 years to refresh vigor
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March57% of varieties
Cut back old, dead stems to the ground before new growth emerges
- PruneJuly57% of varieties
Shear back by half after first bloom flush to promote fresh foliage and rebloom.
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Prune dead or damaged foliage to promote healthy growth
- Apply mulch annually to conserve moisture
- Ensure the plant receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily 🌞
- Water deeply during dry spells to keep soil evenly moist
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not fertilize late in the season to prevent weak new growth
- Refrain from neglecting pest monitoring
- Do not plant in heavy clay soil without amendments
What goes wrong with Tanacetum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and curled leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use horticultural oil or miticides |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning of foliage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Tanacetum
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks.
- Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch softwood cuttings in late spring.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist soil and keep in indirect sunlight for 6 weeks.
Tanacetum questions
How many types of Tanacetum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 7 distinct Tanacetum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 217 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Tanacetum grow in?
Across its varieties, Tanacetum covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Tanacetum bloom?
Most Tanacetum varieties bloom in early summer, mid-summer, early to mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Tanacetum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Tanacetum shows up in
Design with Tanacetum in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
