Fennel

  • ​Common Name: Fennel
  • Scientific Name: Foeniculum vulgare
  • Family Name: Apiaceae
  • Origin: Mediterranean​
  • Height: 4 to 6 ft
  • Width: 1 to 3 ft
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Zone: USDA Zones 4 through 9
  • Light needs: Full sun
  • Salt tolerance: Low
  • Soil/pH/Texture: Should be grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soil. It tolerates a wide pH range between 6.5 and 8, although slightly acidic soil is preferred.
  • Moisture: Moderate water needs – soil should be uniformly moist but not wet
  • Drought tolerance: Moderate
  • Pests/Diseases: Aphids and thrips may cause minor leaf damage. Some swallowtail butterfly caterpillars use fennel as a host but will not do serious damage to a mature plant.
  • Growing conditions: This plant should be grown in a warm and sunny area. The soil should be rich and uniformly moist; although fennel can handle short drought periods once it is established, its bulb and leaf growth will be negatively impacted. The stems and foliage are delicate, and taller plants may require staking if exposed to wind. It is tolerant of light frost.
  • Characteristics: The green, flexible stems grow from a central bulb which is mostly hidden in the soil. The leaves, which grow oppositely, are finely dissected, giving the foliage a feathery, brushy appearance and texture. Inflorescences, which appear on stalks growing above the leaves, contain around twenty to fifty tiny yellow flower heads. Fennel typically does not bloom until its second year of growth.
  • Propagation: Propagation by seed is most reliable. Division is possible but usually less successful.
  • Wildlife: Butterflies, bees, and other insects are attracted to the flowers. The leaves are a favorite food of rabbits. The larvae of some swallowtail butterflies use it as a host plant.
  • Facts: Fennel has been grown by humans for centuries. The plant was used by ancient Greeks and Romans for medicine, food, and tea. Florence fennel is an ingredient for absinthe. Both the leaves and seeds are used in cuisines around the world.
  • Designer considerations: Fennel is most commonly seen in vegetable and herb gardens, but it has many other applications. Use it as a border or in a mixed planting to add texture interest. Its flowers, which are highly attractive to pollinator insects, make it useful in butterfly gardens. 

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