Costmary plant profile
Tanacetum balsamita
A perennial herb for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Costmary
Plant costmary in spring in a full-sun to partly shaded spot with well-drained soil, propagating by division or root/stem cuttings rather than seed, which germinates poorly (NC State). It dies back in winter in cold climates and resprouts in spring; clip it to prevent legginess and curb its aggressive spread.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Costmary in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 36 to 72 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 5a to 7bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: invasive spreading, legginess, poor seed germination.
Next steps
Continue with Costmary
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Tanacetum balsamita (Costmary, Alecost, Bible Leaf)
North Carolina State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.