Ammoniac gum Plant Care
Ferula ammoniacum (D.Don) Spalik, M.Panahi, Piwczyński & Puchałka
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
The Ferula ammoniacum plant is recognizable by its large, feathery, silver-green leaves. Originating from the mountainous regions of central Asia, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its aromatic resin, which is used in perfumes and incense due to its unique fragrance and medicinal properties.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Ammoniac gum?
Water Ammoniac gum every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Ammoniac gum Native To?
What Is the Ammoniac gum?
Ammoniac gum (Ferula ammoniacum) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Ferula genus. Ammoniac gum is native to Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Ammoniac gum is also known as Giant fennel.
Ammoniac gum displays a tall, upright herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Ammoniac gum produces large umbels of tiny yellow flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Ammoniac gum?
Ferula ammoniacum requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Ammoniac gum Need?
Ammoniac gum thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ammoniac gum Prefer?
Ferula ammoniacum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Ammoniac gum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ammoniac gum?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Ammoniac gum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Ammoniac gum?
Feed Ammoniac gum every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Ammoniac gum?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Ammoniac gum?
Ammoniac gum can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to stinking fennel plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Ammoniac gum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Ammoniac gum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Ammoniac gum?
Ammoniac gum is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Ammoniac gum Need?
Ammoniac gum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Ammoniac gum is native to Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Ammoniac gum is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ferula genus — compare its care with other Ferula species on PlantoScan.
Ferula is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Ammoniac gum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Ferula Species
Other Ferula species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ferula ammoniacum (D.Don) Spalik, M.Panahi, Piwczyński & Puchałka, family Apiaceae (first published in Taxon 64: 780 (2015)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ammoniac gum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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