Plant Details

Tanacetum balsamita

Alecost, Costmary

Back

Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Tanacetum balsamita.

Use this plant

Log in to add this plant to your recipes.

Log in

Common names

16 names · 12 languages
EnglishYour language
Other languages (11)
Dutch
  • Balsemwormkruid[2]
French
  • Balsamite[2]
  • Menthe Coq[2]
  • Menthe-coq
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 流香艾菊[2]
Czech
  • maří list balšámový[2]
Finnish
  • palsamipietaryrtti[2]
German
Lithuanian
  • Vaistinė balzamita[2]
Russian
  • Пижма бальзамическая[2]
Slovak
  • vratič balzamový[2]
Swedish
  • balsamblad[2]
Turkish
  • Solcan Otu[2]
Sources & name notes (2)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Tanacetum balsamita L. ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Balsamkraut (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 143407; taxon 54N6D.
[2] Tanacetum balsamita — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Costmary — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • Alecost — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • Coastmary — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • maří list balšámový — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • Balsamkraut — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • balsamblad — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • Vaistinė balzamita — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • Balsemwormkruid — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • Balsamite — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • Menthe Coq — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • Пижма бальзамическая — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • palsamipietaryrtti — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • vratič balzamový — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • 流香艾菊 — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.
  • Solcan Otu — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 181875; Tanacetum balsamita.

General information

Scientific name: Tanacetum balsamita
Accepted name (Kew): Tanacetum balsamita L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Asteraceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Tanacetum (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Alecost, Costmary
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.2–1.83 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.41–1.07 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [3]
Foliage: None
Growth habit: Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Condiment, Tea, Leaves
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Essential oil, Repellent, Fragrant

Description

Leaves can be eaten raw or used as a flavoring in soups and beer. They can be finely chopped and added to salads, but be careful as they have a strong aroma that can overpower the taste. In the past, the leaves were commonly used in brewing beer before being replaced by hops. Whole leaves can be placed in cake molds to add aroma during baking. The petals are used to make preserves, and dried leaves can be used to make a delightful tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/07
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 557201; name ID 3133920; Tanacetum L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 888406; name ID 3111077; Tanacetum balsamita L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Tanacetum balsamita

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1336727, ID 54N6D: Tanacetum balsamita L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Tanacetum balsamita — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 4 in. - 3 ft. 6 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .