Girl in a maroon dress holding a bunch of feverfew flowers.

How to Grow Feverfew

Feverfew / Matricaria Seed

Tanacetum parthenium

Feverfew is the perfect cottage flower and adds a little whimsical touch to your garden and bouquets. It's easy to care for and grow. A great choice for a beginner flower garden. By regularly harvesting its flowers, you can enjoy a long-lasting blooming period.


Details:

Plant type: tender perennial (zone 5-9)

Height: 28-36”

Site: full sun

Days to maturity: 100-110 days

Plant spacing: 8-12”

Pinch: not necessary

Kids, Pets, and Deer Resistance: non-toxic, deer resistant

Indoor & Pots: grows well in large containers outside

 

How to Grow:

Fall planting recommended for zones 5-8. Planting in the Fall allows the plant to establish a robust root system and creates longer stems and stronger plants. 

Transplant (recommended): Start seeds indoors in trays 5-7 weeks before transplanting in either spring or fall. Press the seeds into soil, but don’t cover as light is required for germination. Bottom water or mist to avoid covering the seed with displaced soil. 

Transplant into the ground 3-4 weeks before first frost or cover up with row cover if transplanting before last frost. 


Direct seed: Sow as soon as soil can be worked. Do not cover seed as light is required for germination. Keep soil moist.


Germination: 10-14 days at 70°F (21°C)

Where to plant:  Plant in the sun / part shade into moist and well drained soil.

Harvesting/Vase Life:

Fresh: When flowers are 3/4 open. Dried: harvest when flowers are almost fully open.


In the landscape: remove the blooms as they fade. This will keep them producing more flowers and help control self-seeding.

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