Hand holding small bouquet of tiny white flowers with yellow centers and some green leaves against a dark shirt with white polka dots

How To Grow Feverfew Seeds

Updated on Dec 29, 2021
By Shannon McCabe

Latin name Tanacetum parthenium is a tender perennial member of the Asteraceae, or daisy, family. Perfect cut flower (with longer stemmed varieties) or landscaping plant. Ideal for borders, mass planting and containers, the long-lasting blooms are abundant and fill in a space with tufts of subtle color. A beautiful medicinal plant, traditionally used to treat headache. Grown as an annual in most zones and perennial from USDA zones 5-9.

HISTORY

Native to Eurasia. Mentioned by Dioscorides in the first century AD as an anti-inflammatory plant.

USES

  • Ornamental.
  • Borders, containers, landscaping, cut flower production.
  • Traditional medicinal plant.

Hands holding a tight bunch of tiny yellow centered round flowers with pale cream petalsHands holding a tight bunch of tiny yellow centered round flowers with pale cream petals

  • Seeds germinate in 10-14 days. Surface sow seeds and gently press into soil, as light aids germination.
  • Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting out after last frost has passed, or direct seed after last frost.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 70-75 F.
Tiny white flowers with bright yellow centers growing profusely and close together among some leaves.Tiny white flowers with bright yellow centers growing profusely and close together among some leaves.

  • Plants prefer full sun.
  • Provide well-drained soil.
  • Space plants 8-12 inches apart.
  • Cut flower stalks to encourage continued blooming.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Aphids can be a pest of feverfew; treat with organic insecticidal soap.
Person in navy blue shirt with white polka dots holds small bouquet of tiny white flowers with yellow centers amid some leaves in one hand.Person in navy blue shirt with white polka dots holds small bouquet of tiny white flowers with yellow centers amid some leaves in one hand.

  • Allow the flowerheads to mostly dry on the stem, then remove and spread out to finish drying in a protected location away from direct sunlight.
  • Thresh the heads to remove the seed, and store it in a cool, dry place.
Plush bouquet of tiny white globe-shaped flowers, some open to show yellow centersPlush bouquet of tiny white globe-shaped flowers, some open to show yellow centers