Feverfew Plant Care
Tanacetum parthenium Sch.Bip.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tanacetum parthenium, known as feverfew, is a flowering plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae. It may be grown as an ornament, and may be identified by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium and Pyrethrum parthenium.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Feverfew?
Water Feverfew every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Feverfew Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
What Is the Feverfew?
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Tanacetum genus. Feverfew is native to Europe, North America. Feverfew is also known as Wild Chamomile, Bachelor's Buttons, Mayweed.
Feverfew displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Feverfew produces daisy-like flowers in various colors such as white, yellow, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Feverfew?
Tanacetum parthenium requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Feverfew Need?
Feverfew thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Feverfew Prefer?
Tanacetum parthenium grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Feverfew prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Feverfew?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Feverfew to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Feverfew?
Feed Feverfew 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 Feverfew?
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 Feverfew?
Feverfew can be propagated through seeds, division.
Is the Feverfew Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
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 Feverfew?
Feverfew is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips. 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 Feverfew Need?
Feverfew grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Feverfew is native to Europe, North America. In cooler regions, grow Feverfew as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Feverfew 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 Tanacetum genus — compare its care with other Tanacetum species on PlantoScan.
Tanacetum is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Feverfew thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Tanacetum parthenium Sch.Bip., family Asteraceae (first published in Tanaceteen : 55 (1844)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Feverfew as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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