Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium: care instructions

Feverfew, which looks very similar to chamomile, is valued not only as a medicinal herb but also as a decorative ornamental plant in a cottage or natural garden. The easy-care plant needs a lot of sun and is also an eye-catcher in a natural meadow.

Characteristics

• daisy family (Asteraceae)
• bot. Surname: Tanacetum parthenium (syn. Chrysanthemum parthenium)
• also known as "false chamomile", ornamental chamomile or fever herb
• Avoid confusion with real chamomile
• should not be missing in any cottage garden
• Growth height 40 to 60 centimeters high
• white flowers with a yellow cluster
• Flowering period from June to September
• conditionally hardy
• sows itself by seeds over and over again

sowing

Once the feverfew has been cultivated in the garden, it usually comes back again and again in the right location. Because the sowing of the plant does not have to be controlled at all, as it sows itself again every year through the seeds formed. Even if the mother plant has fallen victim to the winter cold. But also a cultivation by a first sowing succeeds:

• Get seeds from stores
• place in pots with potting soil
• best time March
• germinate on windowsill until May
• Temperature around 15 ° Celsius is sufficient
• Germination then two to three weeks
• then place the small plants in the garden bed in May

flowering and flowering time

At Chrysanthemum parthenium it is a so-called permanent bloomer. Because once a flower has formed, it will remain on the plant for a long time with the right care.:

• first flowers appear in June
• stay until September
• the flowers resemble those of chamomile
• small, white with a yellow center
• button-shaped flowers about three centimeters wide
• the flowers give off an aromatic scent
• Confusion can be avoided due to scent
• Flowers do not smell of chamomile

fertilizing and watering

Good news is that the herb tolerates lime well and therefore simple tap water can also be used for watering:

• Always keep the substrate slightly moist
• only water directly to the roots
• a brief drought is tolerated
• however, water young plants regularly
• on very hot days in the early morning hours
• alternatively water late in the evening
• in the first year with well prepared soil no further fertilization
• fertilize with compost in the spring of the second year
• alternatively or in the pot liquid fertilizer for flowers

diseases and pests

Unfortunately, the young plants are very attractive to snails. It is therefore advisable to lay out a snail barrier from the start when cultivating in a garden bed laid out for several years. A snail fence or another natural barrier against the snails can be used for this. If the plants are cultivated in pots, other pests must be considered:

• aphids
• spider mites
• like to attach themselves to the potted plants
• especially when there is a long drought
• counteract this with appropriate home remedies
• especially when the herb is used as a medicinal plant
• Fungal diseases occur when there is a lack of space
• So don't plant too close together

tub cultivation

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), for example cultivated together with a rose or alone. In this regard, the following should be observed:

• spreads quickly
• put only one plant in a small pot
• create a drainage to prevent waterlogging
• over drain hole
• Gravel, shards or balls of clay
• over this plant fleece
• Fill in half of the prepared soil
• Insert the plant and fill in the remaining soil
• press and pour well

Plant

Small plants in pots, which can then be planted out in the garden bed, are available in well-stocked specialist shops. The best time to do this is spring, when the ground is no longer frozen:

• four plants are enough for one square meter
• here the feverfew spreads
• covered the entire area after a short time
• Dig a planting hole
• Plant as deep as in the pot
• fill in prepared soil
• press well
• water well

Cut

The plants should always be cut when self-seeding is to be prevented. Because the plant can quickly multiply throughout the garden:

• Always cut faded flowers immediately
• before seeds can be formed
• usually the first time in July/August
• also stimulates flowering
• Cut back to base in spring
• this stimulates new growth
• lignification can be delayed

location and soil conditions

Finding the right location for feverfew is actually easy. However, a few things should be considered with regard to the soil conditions:

• full sun
• can spread carpet of flowers here
• sunny bed
• on a blooming natural meadow
• Soil may be calcareous
• always keep slightly moist around plants
• Garden soil with compost underneath is sufficient

hibernate

Contrary to many assumptions, it is Tanacetum parthenium a plant that is perennial when the winter climate permits. On the other hand, it also sows itself again and again, the seeds that fall down in autumn can survive on the hardy soil:

• hardy down to -12° Celsius
• protect in harsh regions
• Twigs above the roots help against frost
• lay out in late autumn
• cultivated in the pot a little more protective
• Cover the pot with brushwood
• stand on wood or styrofoam
• Put brushwood on the roots
• put in a safe corner

multiply

In addition to the simple self-sowing, through which feverfew actually becomes a plant, that perennial can survive for many years on the same bed, the plants can also take cuttings be propagated. This propagation is usually well suited for pot cultivation, but also if another bed is to be planted with feverfew:

• choose young, herbaceous shoots
• about 15 to 20 centimeters long
• Do not squeeze the interface
• use a sharp and clean knife
• remove lower leaves
• place the bottom buds in a vessel with water
• put in a bright and warm place
• first roots appear, plant
• ideally in pots
• are plants strong enough to put in the bed in the spring

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