Description
Feverfew is a flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. It is a traditional medicinal herb which is commonly used to prevent migraine headaches, and is also occasionally grown for ornament.
The feverfew plant (Tanacetum parthenium) is actually a species of chrysanthemum that has been grown in herb and medicinal gardens for centuries.
Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Tanacetum parthenium,featherfew,altamisa |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 0.75 to 1.00 feet |
| Flower Colour | White, Yellow |
| Bloom Time | June to August |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Growing feverfew doesnt require fertilizer, if soil is rich in organic matter. However, you can apply a fertilizer you use for other flowers monthly.
Feverfew plants are grown as perennial and annual. Annual varieties die off in the winter and then germinate again in the spring. Feverfews are sensitive to extreme cold and need special care in winter time.
Do protect mulching to protect the plant from severe cold in winte Mulching also helps in summers in conserving moisture.
Deadhead the faded flowers and slightly prune off the plant after the first flowering. Pruning stimulates the growth of new flowe Prune long, leggy and diseased branches with discolored leaves. You can prune off the plant up to about one-third of its size.
Feverfew care
Sow them indoors in early spring in a seed tray using well draining starting mix. Scatter the seeds over the surface of soil and lightly tamp them. Cover the tray with plastic sheet or put in a plastic bag and keep that in a bright spot.
If you want to sow seeds directly on the ground wait until the temperature warms up around 60 F (15 C) and last frost date passes away in the spring. Keep the soil evenly moist until the germination. Germination occurs within one or two weeks after seed sowing.
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | -20F (-29C) |
| Fertilizer | apply any organic fertilizer |
Feverfew special feature
Beds of mint or other tea plants where insects are not wanted. Feverfew repels insects of all nature, so it is a good plant to grow near entryways.
Feverfew uses
Ornamental Use:
- It is also occasionally grown for ornament
Medicinal Use:
- Feverfew is used to treat a wide range of health problems, such as fever, cold, rheumatism and cramps
- It is also widely used to treat migraines
- It is a traditional medicinal herb which is commonly used to prevent migraine headaches,
Culinary Use:
- The flowers, stems and leaves