Feverfew in Zone 9B — Desert Southwest

Feverfew is a fantastic addition to any Desert Southwest garden. Its cheerful, daisy-like flowers bring beauty to your landscape, and it's known for its medicinal properties. Plus, it attracts beneficial insects, making it a valuable companion plant in your garden.

While the Desert Southwest presents challenges like extreme heat and alkaline soil, Feverfew is surprisingly resilient. With our two growing seasons and the right timing, you can successfully cultivate this herb and enjoy its benefits for much of the year. Our 313-day growing season offers plenty of opportunity.

Starting Feverfew indoors is an option, especially if you want a head start on the growing season, but it's not essential in our climate. If you choose to start indoors, begin in late November through mid December, about eight weeks before you plan to transplant outdoors.

Use seed trays with a well-draining seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist by bottom watering to avoid disturbing the tiny seeds. Provide warmth and plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light. Remember, we have a very-early spring here in the Desert Southwest, so timing is key.

Transplant your Feverfew seedlings outdoors in late January through late February. Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week.

Choose a location with full sun to part shade, and space the plants 12-15 inches apart. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – late frosts are rare, but can happen. Protect young transplants if a cold snap is predicted.

Direct sowing Feverfew is a straightforward approach that works well in our Desert Southwest climate. Sow seeds directly into the garden in early February through late September.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any rocks or debris. Feverfew prefers well-drained soil. Scatter the seeds lightly over the surface and gently press them into the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge. Thin seedlings to 12-15 inches apart.

Feverfew is relatively drought-tolerant once established, making it a great choice for water-wise desert gardening. However, consistent watering is important, especially during the initial establishment phase.

During the hotter months, especially before the monsoon moisture arrives, water deeply about once a week, providing about 1 inch of water. Use the finger test: if the top two inches of soil feel dry, it's time to water. After the monsoon season kicks in, you might be able to reduce watering frequency.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases even in our arid climate. Signs of underwatering include wilting and dry, crispy leaves. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure the soil is well-draining. Mulching around the base of the plant with organic matter helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Pruning Feverfew is essential for maintaining its appearance and encouraging continuous blooming. Deadhead spent flowers regularly by snipping them off just below the flower head.

This prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production and promotes new blooms. After the main flowering period, typically after the first frost around mid- December, cut back the plant to tidy it up and encourage new growth in the spring. Be aware that Feverfew self-seeds readily, so remove flower heads before they go to seed if you want to control its spread.

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

Cut the stems just above a leaf node, using sharp scissors or pruning shears. Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried for the best flavor and medicinal properties. Feverfew will continue to produce new flowers throughout the growing season if you harvest regularly.

As the first frost approaches in mid- December, you can harvest the remaining flowers and foliage to dry for later use.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Feverfew in the Desert Southwest:

Self-seeds Prolifically

• What it looks like: Seedlings popping up everywhere in your garden, even in unwanted areas.
• What causes it: Feverfew produces a lot of seeds, and our mild winters allow them to germinate easily.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead spent flowers regularly to prevent seed formation. Remove unwanted seedlings promptly. Consider growing Feverfew in containers to limit its spread.

Aphids

• What it looks like: Clusters of tiny green, black, or white insects on stems and leaf undersides. Sticky honeydew residue. Curled or distorted new growth.
• What causes it: Rapid-reproducing sap-sucking insects thrive 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 or tunnels inside the leaves.
• What causes it: Leaf miner larvae burrow into the leaves, feeding on the tissue between the upper and lower surfaces.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Use floating row covers to prevent adult flies from laying eggs on the plants. Neem oil can help control infestations.

Desert Southwest Specific Challenges: The extreme heat and low humidity of the Desert Southwest can stress Feverfew, making it more susceptible to pests and diseases. Provide afternoon shade during the hottest part of the day to prevent sunscald. Ensure the soil is well-draining to avoid root rot, especially during the monsoon season.

Feverfew makes a good companion plant for several garden vegetables and herbs in the Desert Southwest. Plant it near tomatoes to help repel certain pests. Roses also benefit from Feverfew as it attracts beneficial insects that prey on rose pests.

Pairing it with other herbs like rosemary and thyme can create a diverse and healthy herb garden. Avoid planting Feverfew near plants that prefer very acidic soil, as Feverfew prefers slightly alkaline conditions, which are common in our region.