Tansy Flower: Meaning, Symbolism, and Colors

Last updated on May 22nd, 2023 at 11:04 am

The tansy flower grows on a herbaceous, perennial plant (Tanacetum Vulgare). The genus of the plant is Tanacetum, and the flower belongs to the family of asters (Asteraceae). 

These are native to the temperate regions of Asia and Europe. The tansy also grows in different parts of the world, other than Europe and Asia, particularly in North America, introduced there artificially. 

In some areas, this plant and its flowers take on an invasive quality. The tansy, referred to by different terminology, is often called “common tansy,” “golden buttons,” or “bitter buttons.” In Latin, the word “Vulgare” represents “common.”

What Does The Tansy Flower Symbolize?

From early periods, this flower has roots in the belief in immortality. Any representation of immortality and related concepts, such as protection, resistance, health, ever-lasting youth, etc., symbolize the flower. This is characteristically when the flower is frequently given as a gift to denote the hope for sound health and happiness.

On the other hand, the flower has a toxic quality due to its natural composition. This may represent something akin to hostility. If the flower is displayed in some contexts, it could denote an act of war.

All in all, the tansy flower symbolic meanings are:

• protection
• health
• resistance
• immortality

Meaning Of The Tansy Flower Color

Yellow color

In most respects, tansy flowers grow on a plant and resemble yellow buttons. The flower stems are stout, and the flowers, although stubby in appearance, have a distinctive appeal. 

Appearing in several shades of yellow, from dark to light, the Tansy flower meaning is often derived from the color gold that is so evident when you view the flower. At first sight, many Tansies look like a bunch of gold baubles. This is why the positive symbolism of tansy exists, as something precious and protective.

Close to 150 varieties of tansy flowers exist, but the colors are mostly the same. Most tansies are found in shades of yellow, maybe a brighter yellow than others, which look more like gold. If viewed in the sun’s bright light, they give off a luminescence resembling a gold ornament’s shine. 

Interesting Facts About The Tansy Flowers

• The antecedents of the plant date back to when the Ancient Greeks cultivated the herb for medicinal use. By the 8th century, the tansy became important as a necessary health-inducing plant in any garden. You could find tansies in the lush gardens of Charlemagne. 
• The “Blue Tansy Oil,” used by aromatherapy practitioners, has a calming effect on the body. However, the tansy is not blue but yellow. It is the oil that is derived from it, which is blue. This oil, created from a cultivar of tansies grown in Morocco, treats several skin conditions like acne. It comes from yellow Moroccan tansies with white fluff over the petals.
• Essential oils, made from many varieties of tansy flowers, have different health benefits and are extremely costly to buy.
• Conspicuously, the Benedictine monks in Swiss monasteries grew Tansies in abundance. Tansies were always popular for ailments from rheumatism and intestinal works to digestive disorders, sores, and fever. 
• Although the tansy flower grows wild in most habitats, the resultant herbs and oils sold commercially are globally exported. These herbs are expensive when sold commercially.
• In the Medieval Period, potent tansy doses were administered to produce abortions. Surprisingly, the opposite was also true as the flowers were used to increase fertility. It was all about the dosage of the herb administered.
• In some countries, tansies are weeds; they are destroyed since they grow wild and free.
• Handling tansies in their nature may cause skin irritation, so you must wear gloves.
• Tansies are most toxic to all livestock groups, but more so to horses and cattle.
• The aroma of the tansy is a blend of rosemary and camphor.

How To Grow Tansy Flowers

Tansy is a low-maintenance plant that rewards you with flowers and foliage with minimal effort.

1. Plant the tansies in moist to slightly dry soil.  
2. Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade.
3. Apply compost annually and mulch each spring to improve the soil at planting.
4. Water while plants are young until it reaches a satisfactory level of development.
5. Add a general-purpose fertilizer when planting them, especially if the soil is poor.

How To Care For Tansy Flowers

1. Water them during extended dry periods.
2. Apply a nitrogen-based fertilizer once or twice during the growing season to help the plant develop and spread more easily.
3. Trim the diseased, withered leaves once a month.
4. Deadhead old flowers regularly to stop tansy self-seeding or spreading throughout the garden.

Best Time To Gift Tansy Flowers

As tansies are poisonous, the best time to give tansies may not be any time. However, tansies may be gifted to keep out other pests, like mosquitoes and roaches, in case these are causing an infestation in a normally healthy garden. 

Due to the meaning of the tansy flower, they are frequently used for gifting and are thought to be of historical value when given as a gift. They are perennial and can be given at any time of the year. Individuals may love having tansies in gardens to fill gaps between main flowering plants. Nonetheless, while planting tansies, be careful, as these can cause an invasive effect on other plants.

Tansies grow in sunlight and require only a little shade. These flowers make a good gift for anyone who isn’t a professional green thumb.

Conclusion

Tansy flowers are attractive and easy to grow, and provide medicinal value. 

Gardeners, healers, cooks, and religious leaders have used tansy flowers for centuries, and this plant will likely enjoy a spot in the garden for many more centuries.

If you want to know and learn more about flowers, we at PansyMaiden can help you. Check out our fun, easy-to-read, and informative flower-related content that you will surely enjoy!