Feverfew in Zone 8A — Florida

Feverfew is a fantastic addition to any Florida garden. Not only does it produce charming, daisy-like flowers, but it's also known for its medicinal properties. Plus, it attracts beneficial insects to your garden, helping with natural pest control.

Our Florida gardening calendar is different; summer is the slow season. But with Feverfew, you can plant in fall and harvest well into our mild winters. This plant's adaptability makes it a winner, and our long growing season of 283 days gives you ample time to enjoy it.

Starting Feverfew indoors isn't essential here in Florida, but it can give you a head start. If you want to get a jump on the season, sow seeds indoors from mid December through early January, about 8 weeks before you'd like to transplant them.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix and keep them in a warm, well-lit area. Bottom watering is a great way to prevent damping-off; simply set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil absorb it. Remember, our spring starts reversed, so getting those seedlings going early can pay off.

Transplanting Feverfew outdoors is best done from mid February through mid March. Before you move your seedlings outside, harden them off for about a week. Gradually expose them to increasing amounts of sunlight and outdoor conditions.

Space your Feverfew plants about 12-15 inches apart to give them room to grow into their bushy habit. Keep an eye on the weather; those late-season cold snaps can still happen, so be ready to cover your plants if necessary.

Direct sowing Feverfew is a simple and effective method, especially in our forgiving Florida climate. You can direct sow from late February through mid September, giving you a wide window of opportunity.

Prepare your garden bed by loosening the soil and removing any weeds. Sprinkle the Feverfew seeds evenly over the surface and gently press them into the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge. Thin the seedlings to 12-15 inches apart once they are a few inches tall.

Feverfew is quite drought-tolerant, making it a relatively low-maintenance plant for Florida gardens. However, especially during our hot, humid summers, it's important to get the watering right.

During the hotter months, especially between late spring and early fall, check the soil moisture regularly. Use the "finger test" – stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. With our wet-summer patterns, you might not need to water at all some weeks.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the foliage wet, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves, while yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering. Adding a layer of mulch around your plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds – pine straw or wood chips work well here.

Deadheading is key to keeping your Feverfew plants blooming prolifically throughout the season. Simply pinch or cut off the spent flowers just below the flower head.

This encourages the plant to produce more blooms rather than putting energy into seed production. After the main flowering flush, usually in late summer, you can cut the plant back by about one-third to rejuvenate it. As our first frost approaches in early December, you can leave the plant standing or cut it back, depending on your preference. Just remember that Feverfew self-seeds aggressively, so removing the flower heads before they go to seed can help prevent unwanted spread.

You can expect your first Feverfew harvest around early May through mid December, about 70 days after planting. Look for the small, daisy-like flowers to be fully open.

To harvest, simply snip off the flower heads and leaves as needed. Harvesting regularly encourages continued production. Feverfew is often used in herbal remedies, so research the best way to prepare it for your intended use.

As the end of the season approaches and our first frost looms in early December, you can continue to harvest until the plant stops producing. You can also collect seeds from the dried flower heads to sow again next season.

Here are a few common problems you might encounter with Feverfew in Florida:

Self-seeds prolifically

• What it looks like: Seedlings popping up everywhere in your garden where you didn't plant them.
• What causes it: Feverfew readily drops its seeds, and they germinate easily in our warm, humid climate.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead regularly to prevent seed formation. If you want to collect seeds, do so before they scatter. Consider growing Feverfew in containers to limit its spread.

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: 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, pale trails inside the leaves.
• What causes it: Larvae of small flies tunnel between the leaf surfaces, feeding as they go.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Use row covers to prevent the adult flies from laying eggs on the plants. Neem oil can also help control leaf miner infestations.

Florida Specific Challenges: The heat and humidity here in Florida can make Feverfew more susceptible to fungal diseases if the plants are not properly spaced and watered. Make sure to provide good air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Also, while Feverfew isn't particularly prone to nematode issues, it's always a good idea to amend your soil with organic matter to improve its overall health and resistance to pests and diseases.

Feverfew makes a great companion plant for several garden vegetables and flowers. Planting it near tomatoes can help repel pests like whiteflies and tomato hornworms. Roses also benefit from having Feverfew nearby, as it deters aphids and other common rose pests.

Many herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, are also good companions for Feverfew. Avoid planting Feverfew near plants that are susceptible to the same pests or diseases, as this can increase the risk of problems.