Herb Specifications
- Season: Perennial
- USDA Zones: 5 - 8
- Height: 36 inches
- Bloom Season: Early summer to mid summer
- Bloom Color: White
- Environment: Full sun
- Soil Type: Will grow in very poor soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 68F
- Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
- Light Required: Yes
- Depth: The seeds must be covered thinly
- Sowing Rate: 4 - 6 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 24 inches
Feverfew (Chrysanthemum Parthenium) - Feverfew is definitely a must-have for the herb garden! It is not only a lovely ornamental herb, but it has medicinal value as well. Feverfew is easily grown from herb seed, and it is a hardy perennial with deeply cut leaves and lovely daisy-like blooms that measure 3/4 inch across. It is native to Southern Europe, but today it can be found in many areas of the world.
The Feverfew herb plant will thrive in the poorest soils. It prefers a position in full sun as the plant sometimes is susceptible to mildew in the shade. Feverfew roots prefer not to be waterlogged, so soil that drains wells is a must. Propagation of the Feverfew plant can be both from herb seeds or by root division. The flowers are nice for cutting and may be dried face down on a flat surface and used in potpourri.
Feverfew is a medicinal herb with a long history of use. The leaves are dried and used as an herbal remedy for migraine headaches. Feverfew contains parthenolide which can relieve mild spasms and is an anti-inflammatory. Some people take it to relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
Feverfew herb seeds can be started indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last frost is expected and transplanted outdoors in the garden. Or, for areas with a long growing season, after frost danger has passed, prepare a seedbed and directly plant the Feverfew herb seeds outdoors. The Feverfew plants should be spaced about 24 inches apart.
