1 named cultivar

‘Isla Gold’Golden Tansy

perennial

Common Tansy

The Story

Plant Bio

Tanacetum vulgare, common tansy, is an upright clumping perennial from Europe and Asia, one to five feet tall. Finely divided fern-like leaves are strongly aromatic when crushed, and flat-topped clusters of small button-like golden-yellow flowerheads, without ray petals, open from midsummer into autumn.

It contains thujone and is genuinely poisonous — historically used as a medicinal herb and abortifacient, with fatalities recorded from the oil, so nothing about its herbal past makes it safe to ingest. It is also a listed noxious weed across much of the West, spreading by rhizome and by prolific seed, and NCSU rates it high flammability.

Uses & Benefits:

Flat clusters of golden button flowers over finely cut aromatic foliage, from midsummer on.

A traditional strewing and insect-repelling herb, though its toxicity rules out culinary use.

Pollinators visit the flowers, but it displaces native vegetation where it escapes.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

24 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Europe and Asia

Toxicity

Toxic to people and livestock

Planting

How to Grow

Check your state noxious weed listing before planting.
Site it away from pasture and grazing animals.
Contain the running rhizomes or grow it in a pot.
Deadhead before seed sets to limit spread.
Wear gloves; the foliage can irritate skin.
Never use any part of it internally.

Pro Tip

Its long history as a medicinal herb is not a safety record — thujone poisoning from tansy oil has killed people, and the plant should stay ornamental.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Check local noxious weed listings ⚠️
Contain the rhizomes 🚧
Deadhead before it seeds ✂️
Wear gloves when handling it 🧤

Don't

Take any part of it internally ❌
Plant it near grazing animals ❌
Let it seed into open country ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Contain
Deadhead

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Contained herb or historic plant collectionRough naturalised ground away from pastureCut flower for drying

Companion Plants

Yarrow Feverfew Soapwort Oxeye Daisy Catmint

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Common Tansy questions

What zones can Common Tansy grow in?

Common Tansy is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Common Tansy deer resistant?

Yes — Common Tansy is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Common Tansy bloom?

Common Tansy typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Common Tansy need full sun?

Common Tansy does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Common Tansy drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Common Tansy handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.