Tanacetum parthenium
Motherwort
Common names: False chamomile, Virgin's herb
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Motherwort (Tanacetum parthenium) is a hardy perennial with finely divided, light green foliage and daisy‑like white flowers with a yellow center. From June to September it produces abundant blooms that attract many beneficial insects. The plant can become very prolific; at a suitable site, numerous seedlings often appear in the surrounding area the following year. Historically used in folk medicine, it is best used under professional guidance. As a robust border plant or bee meadow, motherwort makes a good addition to any small garden.
Care instructions
Motherwort is low‑maintenance once established. Water only during prolonged dry periods; soggy soil is detrimental. Regularly remove spent flower heads to control vigorous self‑seedling production; otherwise the plant will spread widely throughout the bed. A winter prune keeps the clump compact, and the plant reliably regrows in spring. It thrives in a sunny to partially shaded spot with well‑drained soil and can persist for several years.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lean, dry, lime-loving
Feeding
Light feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
carrot family (Apiaceae)
Calendula and Tagetes next to carrots keep the carrot fly away with their scent.
For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Rather not
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
Sunflowers release substances into the soil that inhibit potato tuber growth, and they also compete for water and nutrients.
For example PotatoTomatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberry and 9 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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