Feverfew in Zone 6A — Midwest

Feverfew is a fantastic addition to any Midwest garden. Its cheerful, daisy-like flowers bring a touch of whimsy, and the plant itself is known for its medicinal properties. Plus, it thrives in our fertile soil and handles the summer heat spells surprisingly well.

Our Midwest weather can be unpredictable, but don't let that scare you. With a little planning, you can easily grow Feverfew within our 178-day growing season. Just watch for late frost in spring, and you'll be enjoying its blooms all summer long.

Starting Feverfew indoors gives you a head start, but it's not always necessary. If you're after earlier blooms, or just want to extend the season a bit, go for it. Otherwise, direct sowing works just fine.

If you're starting indoors, sow seeds early February through early March, about eight weeks before you plan to transplant. Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix, keep them warm, and provide plenty of light. Don't forget to bottom water to prevent damping off. Keep in mind our spring can be moderate-to-late here, so don't rush things.

Transplant your Feverfew seedlings outdoors mid April through mid May, once the danger of hard frost has passed. Before you plant them in the ground, harden them off for about a week. Gradually expose them to outdoor conditions so they can adjust.

When transplanting, space them about 12-15 inches apart. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – a late cold snap can still happen. If frost is predicted, cover your seedlings with a frost blanket.

Direct sowing Feverfew is a simple and effective method in the Midwest. You can sow seeds mid April through late July, giving you a wide window.

Make sure the soil is well-prepared and the soil temperature is consistently above 60°F. Scatter the seeds lightly over the surface, and gently press them into the soil. Space plants 12-15 inches apart. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge.

Feverfew is pretty low-maintenance when it comes to watering, which is great for busy Midwest gardeners. Once established, it's quite drought-tolerant. However, well-drained soil is essential; our wet summers can easily lead to root rot if the soil stays soggy.

In spring, water regularly until the plants are established. During the summer heat spells, check the soil moisture regularly. Stick your finger about two inches deep – if it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead, especially with our moderate-to-humid conditions, to prevent fungal diseases.

If the leaves are wilting or turning yellow, you might be underwatering. If the leaves are yellowing and the plant seems limp, you might be overwatering. A good layer of mulch can help retain moisture and keep the soil temperature consistent, which is especially helpful during our summer heat spells.

Pruning Feverfew is easy and helps keep it blooming all season long. The main goal is to deadhead spent flowers.

Deadhead regularly by snipping off the faded flowers just below the flower head. This encourages the plant to produce more blooms. After the main flowering period, usually late summer, you can cut the plant back by about half. This will help tidy it up and can sometimes encourage a second flush of blooms. Keep in mind that Feverfew self-seeds aggressively, so if you don't want it spreading everywhere, be diligent about deadheading before the seeds mature. As our first frost approaches around mid-October, you can let the remaining flowers go to seed if you want to collect them or let the plant self-sow.

You can expect your first Feverfew harvest late June through late October, about 70 days after planting. The best time to harvest is when the small, daisy-like flowers are in full bloom.

To harvest, simply cut the stems at the base of the plant, leaving enough foliage for continued growth. For fresh use, harvest in the morning after the dew has dried. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season.

As our first frost approaches in mid-October, you can harvest any remaining flowers and dry them for later use. Even after a light frost, the plant may still produce some usable foliage, so don't be too quick to pull it out.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Feverfew in your Midwest garden:

Self-Seeds Prolifically

• What it looks like: Seedlings popping up everywhere you don't want them.
• What causes it: Feverfew readily drops its seeds, and they germinate easily in our fertile soil.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead spent flowers regularly before they go to seed. If you allow some flowers to go to seed, be prepared to pull out unwanted seedlings in the spring.

Aphids

• What it looks like: Clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects (green, black, or white) on stems and leaf undersides. Sticky honeydew residue. Curled or distorted new growth.
• What causes it: Rapid-reproducing sap-sucking insects. Populations explode in warm weather. Ant colonies may farm them for honeydew.
• How to fix/prevent it: A strong water spray knocks them off. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings (natural predators). Insecticidal soap for heavy infestations. Neem oil works systemically. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer (it attracts them).

Leaf Miners

• What it looks like: Squiggly, light-colored trails inside the leaves.
• What causes it: Larvae of certain flies and moths burrow between the leaf surfaces, feeding as they go.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Cover plants with row covers to prevent the adult insects from laying eggs. Systemic insecticides can be used in severe cases, but they also harm beneficial insects.

Midwest Specific Challenges: Our moderate-to-hot heat and moderate-to-humid humidity can create ideal conditions for aphids and leaf miners, so keep a close eye on your plants during the summer. The wet-summer rainfall can also contribute to fungal diseases if the plants are not properly spaced and ventilated.

Feverfew makes a great companion plant in the Midwest garden.

It's a good companion for tomatoes because it repels some common tomato pests. Plant Feverfew near your roses to deter aphids and other rose pests. Many herbs also benefit from Feverfew's presence, as it attracts beneficial insects that prey on herb pests.

Avoid planting Feverfew near plants that are highly susceptible to aphids, as it can sometimes attract these pests. It's also best to keep it away from plants that prefer very dry conditions, as Feverfew prefers consistently moist soil.