Feverfew

Basic Information

Seed Number

56

Seed Name

Feverfew

Variety

Not recorded

Category

Medicinal

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 10 – Mar 24

Direct Sow

Apr 15 – May 31

Transplant

May 5 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

8 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

0 weeks

Germination Days

10–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

65-70°F

Planting Depth

Surface sow or barely cover

Plant Spacing

8-12 in

Row Spacing

18-24 in

Thin-To Spacing

8-12 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Keep evenly moist during establishment; moderate moisture after establishment

Soil Preference

Average, well-drained soil; avoid persistently wet conditions

Minimum Container Size

2-3 gal

Plant Height

28-36 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

Yes

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors or direct sow; many benefit from cold stratification
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Apr 15 – Jun 15; Sep 1 – Oct 15 for fall sowing
Germination Time: 10–30+ days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Blooms/harvest often year 2
Container Friendly: Yes for many; deep-rooted types prefer ground
Succession / Reusable Notes: Great for permanent herb/medicinal beds.
Zone 6B Notes: Many medicinal perennials need patience and may not bloom first year.
Companion Plants: Yarrow, echinacea, calendula, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, clover, native flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Crowded/overly wet beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Feverfew is hardy in Zones 5-9 and can overwinter in Zone 6B, although spring-planted crops are often treated as annuals for better flower quality. It may self-seed readily.
Germination: Seed requires light for germination. Press onto the surface or cover only very lightly and keep evenly moist.
Harvest: For cut flowers, harvest when flower clusters are well developed and beginning to open. Herbal harvest commonly uses flowering aerial portions.
Seed Saving: Allow selected flower heads to mature and dry before collecting seed. Feverfew readily self-sows if mature heads are left in place.
Special Care: Deadhead before seed maturity if unwanted spreading is a concern.
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/matricaria/matricaria-key-growing-information.html — plant height, spacing, Zones 5-9, light requirements, sowing and general feverfew culture
Research Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/feverfew — established traditional and herbal medicinal use of feverfew
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]