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

How 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

Costmary requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Costmary will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

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