Growing Feverfew Herb In The Garden

Plant it in full sun, or in an area that gets a bit of light shade. Well-drained sandy or loamy soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.7 is perfect for these plants. You can start seeds indoors in late winter, or direct sow in your garden after all danger of frost has passed.

Is feverfew plant invasive?

Looking like a small bush that grows to about 20 inches (50 cm.) high, the feverfew plant is native to central and southern Europe and grows well over most of the United States. It has small, white, daisy-like flowers with bright yellow centers. ... All agree that once the feverfew herb takes hold, it can become invasive.

Is feverfew an annual or perennial?

Depending on climate, feverfew is a biennial or short-lived perennial. When seeds are started early, it will bloom its first year.

Does feverfew grow wild?

American feverfew occurs in glades, upland prairies, rocky open woods, forest openings, ledges and tops of bluffs, savannas, pastures, and roadsides. This native plant is a characteristic species of high-quality upland prairie plant communities.

What do you do with Feverfew plants?

Preserving and Using Feverfew

This herb can be used fresh or dried. It can be brewed as a tea, taken as a tincture, made into capsules, or used to make homemade insect repellent. To air dry, tie several cut stalks into bundles and hang upside down in a dry, dark place for up to a week.

Do you deadhead feverfew?

Feverfew, or Tanacetum parthenium, can be deadheaded to try to encourage more blooms. Most gardener will at least shear off the plants to try to prevent it from self seeding because it can be somewhat prolific in that way. ... On both plants, trim away the stems and foliage in late fall after frost has killed them back.

Are feverfew and chamomile the same?

Feverfew, also known as wild chamomile, has been traditionally used in the treatment of headache and migraine. ... Due to similar flowers, Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium/ Tanacetum parthenium L.) is sometimes mistaken for German Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita) [6].

How do you know if a plant is feverfew?

The feverfew plant (Tanacetum parthenium) is a perennial plant (growing back year after year) with tiny white flower petals in clusters that look like rays coming out from a yellow disc. Its short, hairy, toothed leaves are alternate (the leaves grow on alternating sides of the plant stalk).

Does feverfew attract bees?

Feverfew. These dainty white and yellow flowers look like daisies and are an excellent addition to your bee-proof garden. Feverfew has a strong scent that humans like but bees despise. We should warn you they've been known to keep other pollinators away as well.

How do you grow and harvest feverfew?

How to Harvest Feverfew. Prior to cutting back feverfew, spray the plant down the evening before. Cut the stems, leaving 4 inches (10 cm.) so the plant can regrow for a second harvest later in the season.

Is feverfew an evergreen?

Eye-catching, Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a vigorous short-lived perennial that will light up your garden beds from mid to late summer with its prolific blooms of attractive, small, white flower heads atop a fragrant, evergreen, lacy foliage. Allowing some seeding will keep this lovely plant in the garden.

How do you propagate feverfew?

Strip the leaves from the bottom of the cuttings and dip them into rooting hormone then plant them in a soilless mix. Use a heat mat to keep your cuttings warm. Feverfew develops roots best in warm soil. To grow feverfew from seed, start it indoors six to eight weeks before your last frost date.

When can I transplant feverfew?

Transplant 3-4 weeks before first frost. Spring Planting: For optimal stem and flower quality, treat spring-planted feverfew as an annual. Transplanting inside high tunnels very early in the spring will yield long stems and abundant blooms. Row covers can also be used to protect early plantings during cold spells.

Does feverfew cause weight gain?

Other reported side effects include nervousness, dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, joint stiffness, tiredness, menstrual changes, rash, pounding heart, and weight gain. The safety of feverfew beyond 4 months' use has not been studied. Feverfew is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when fresh leave are chewed.

Can you cut back feverfew?

Deadhead the faded flowers and slightly prune off the plant after the first flowering. Pruning stimulates the growth of new flowers. Prune long, leggy and diseased branches with discolored leaves. You can prune off the plant up to about one-third of its size.

What are the benefits of feverfew?

Feverfew may reduce painful inflammation due to arthritis. Feverfew may help bring on uterine contractions to reduce the length of labor. It may aid in starting menstrual periods and treating menstrual pain. Feverfew may relieve colitis and soothe insect bites.

Where is feverfew found?

Habitat. Native to the Balkan Peninsula, feverfew is now found in Australia, Europe, China, Japan, and North Africa. In the mid-19th century, feverfew was introduced in the United States.

Where does ginger grow?

These days, most ginger still comes from Asia. India produces the largest quantity, followed by China and Indonesia. Other ginger-producing countries include Nepal, Australia, Nigeria and Fiji.

Is it safe to take feverfew everyday?

Dosage and Recommendations

As of now, there's no official recommended dose for feverfew. However, studies find that taking 100–300 mg of a feverfew supplement containing 0.2–0.4% parthenolide between 1–4 times daily may treat migraine headaches ( 1 ).

Is feverfew an anti inflammatory?

Feverfew is believed to have painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties. It's been suggested that it reduces the release of an inflammatory substance, serotonin, from your blood cells and slows down the production of a chemical transmitter in your body called histamine.

What are the side effects of feverfew?

No serious side effects have been reported from feverfew use. Side effects can include nausea, digestive problems, and bloating; if the fresh leaves are chewed, sores and irritation of the mouth may occur.