Tanacetum balsamita aka Costmary
Taxonomy
Tanacetum balsamita, also known as costmary, alecost, balsam herb, bible leaf, or mint geranium, is a perennial temperate herb. Despite being called mint geranium, costmary is neither mint nor a geranium, but its leaves do have a spearmint flavor. This plant makes an attractive and fragrant hedge in herb gardens or perennial borders. Its leaves can be used fresh or dried to add flavor to green and fruit salads or make tea. Costmary is a rare houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It prefers long-lasting, direct light and well-draining soil. When repotted each time it doubles in size, it should not need added fertilizers. Costmary belongs to the Tanacetum genus and is native to Southern Europe and Western Asia.
Common names
Costmary, Daisy, Alecost Or Balsam Herb, Alecost, Costmary ChrysanthemumHow to care for Costmary
Difficulty
Costmary is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
Water
Costmary should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Costmary loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Costmary prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Toxicity
Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.
Fertilizer
The Costmary should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.
Region of origin
Costmary’s native range is Europe to W. Asia.
More info:
Wikipedia
