How to Grow Feverfew

How to grow Feverfew, maintain Feverfew Plants and how to harvest Feverfew. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a flowering plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae, that is native to Asia Minor and the Balkans, but is now common throughout the world. Also known as “featherfew,” because of its feathery leaves. It is a short, bushy, aromatic perennial that grows 0.3–1 m in height. The flowers resemble those of chamomile, for which they are sometimes confused, and have a single layer of white outer-ray florets.

The herb has a long history of use in traditional and folk medicine, especially among Greek and early European herbalists. The leaves are normally dried for use in medicine. Fresh leaves and extracts are also used.

How to grow Feverfew from seed

• The seeds are very fine and most easily planted in small peat pots filled with damp, loamy soil.
• Sprinkle a few Feverfew seeds into the pot and tap the bottom of the pot on the counter to settle the seeds into the soil.
• Spray water to keep the seeds moist as poured water may dislodge the seeds.
• When placed in a sunny window or under a grow light, you should see signs of the Feverfew seeds germinating in about two weeks.
• When the plants are about 7.5 cm tall, plant them, pot and all, into a sunny garden spot or in a container and water regularly until the roots take hold.
• Feverfew is a perennial, so cut it back to the ground after frost and watch for it to regrow in the spring.

Maintaining Feverfew plants

• If the soil is rich in organic matter, then fertilizing is not needed. If the soil is not rich then you can apply a fertilizer you use for other flowers once a month.
• Add mulch around your Feverfew plants. The mulch will protect the plant during the winter and help retain moisture during the scorching summer months.
• Cut the plant back prior to frost. It will regrow in the spring as the temperatures warm.
• While the plant is in bloom, be sure to deadhead any dead blooms.
• After the first flowering, cut the plant back to promote new growth. You can cut the plant back by as much as half of its original size, if needed, during this process.

Harvesting Feverfew

Harvest leaves anytime and harvest the flowers while the plant is in bloom. Feverfew is best harvested at the beginning of flowering. Harvested feverfew should be dried out quickly.