Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the patio, or anywhere else, fennel is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing fennel.
Jump to:
Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Fennel Belong To?
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) belongs to the Apiaceae family, also known as the carrot family.
Some of its relatives include carrots, dill, and celery.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Fennel?
The minimum container depth recommended for fennel is 10 inches.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Fennel?
Some of fennel's best companions are as follows:
- Mints like peppermint and spearmint
- Kale
- Chard
- Chives
- Feverfew
- Citrus fruits like orange and lemon
- Echinacea
- Lemon balm
- Oregano
- Sunflower
- Calendula
- Nasturtium
- Zinnia
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Fennel?
Fennel is not compatible with most plants that are not listed in the good companions section above.
This is due to its allelopathic effects. Fennel releases compounds into the soil that stunt or prevent the growth of other plants within a certain radius.
Tomatoes, potatoes, tomatillos, peppers, and other nightshades are especially affected by these compounds. But again, most plants that are not listed in the previous section should not be planted near fennel.
What Soil Conditions Does Fennel Need?
Fennel prefers rich, moist, well-draining soil.
It is a resilient plant that can tolerate poorer soils that do not meet these standards. But these are its preferences that are most likely to result in the best growth and quality.
How Long Does Fennel Take to Germinate?
Fennel takes 1-2 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 50-80°F.
How Much Sun Does Fennel Need?
Fennel prefers full sun, meaning 6 hours or more of sun per day.
However, most varieties can tolerate dappled shade and part shade.
In other words, fennel grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and fennel grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Fennel Need?
Fennel needs 1-2 inches of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Fennel?
Fennel grows fastest in temperatures of 55-70°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety.
How Tall Does Fennel Get?
The average height of fennel is 4-6 feet.
Is Fennel Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Fennel is perennial, meaning that it lives longer than a couple years.
How Does Fennel Reproduce?
Fennel reproduces by seed.
How Much Fennel is Produced Per Plant?
Fennel produces 1 large bulb and several stalks. These stalks also contain many leaves, some of which eventually become flowers and seeds.
Can Fennel Be Ingested?
Fennel bulbs, stalks, and leaves are edible.
Fennel leaves and seeds have anti-inflammatory and carminative properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. Fennel leaves are especially suited to tea/infusion, and fennel seeds are especially suited to tincture or decoction. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a fennel seed tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting fennel.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of fennel rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for fennel here!
Fennel is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: