Alecost, Costmary
Alecost (Tanacetum balsamita)
A fragrant, long‑lived herb with bold, mint‑balsam scented leaves and a rich history in traditional gardens 🌿✨
🌿 Alecost, also known as Costmary, is a hardy perennial herb valued for its aromatic, mint‑balsam scented foliage and long history in monastery and cottage gardens. Native to southern Europe and western Asia, it has been grown for centuries for its culinary, aromatic, and traditional uses.
With its broad, silvery‑green leaves and upright habit, Alecost brings structure and fragrance to herb borders, wildlife gardens, and historical planting schemes. It’s easy to grow, drought‑tolerant once established, and thrives in sunny, well‑drained positions.
🐝 Garden Benefits
Alecost contributes both fragrance and ecological value.
• Pollinator‑friendly: flowers attract bees and hoverflies
• Low maintenance: thrives with minimal care
• Aromatic foliage: deters some browsing pests
• Excellent for sensory gardens: strong, pleasant scent
📏 Plant Details
Botanical name: Tanacetum balsamita
Common names: Alecost, Costmary, Bible Leaf
Type: Hardy perennial herb
Aspect: Full sun (tolerates light shade)
Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK
Height: 60–90 cm
Spread: 45–60 cm
Alecost has a distinctive mint‑balsam aroma with subtle citrus notes.
Culinary Uses
Traditionally used sparingly due to its strong flavour:
• Added to cakes and sweet breads (notably “costmary cakes”)
• Infused in herbal teas
• Used to flavour ales and cordials
• Fresh leaves added in tiny amounts to salads or fruit dishes
Aromatic & Household Uses
• Leaves used in potpourri and herbal sachets
• Historically placed in books as bookmarks (“Bible leaf”) for their scent
• Crushed leaves release a refreshing, clean fragrance
