Feverfew in Zone 5a & 5b
Tanacetum parthenium
Yes, feverfew grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 29–Apr 5 and plant out May 10–May 17.
When to plant feverfew in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 29–Apr 5 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 10–May 17 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 29–Aug 5 (~80 days after planting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2.5-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of feverfew in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 17–May 24
- MarigoldMay 17–May 24
- African DaisyMay 10–May 17
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)May 10–May 17
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)May 10–May 17
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)May 10–May 17
Feverfew produces masses of small, white-and-yellow daisy blooms on a bushy plant, historically grown as a medicinal herb (the name is a corruption of "febrifuge") and now grown mostly as a reliable, low-maintenance cut flower filler.
How feverfew fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Feverfew needs about 80 days from sowing to first bloom.
Feverfew planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | Jul 29–Aug 5 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 14–Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | Jul 14–Jul 21 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jun 29–Jul 6 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 4–Jan 11 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | May 6–May 13 |
Bloom dates are about 80 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for feverfew.
Where to buy feverfew seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market (each supplier's feverfew seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing feverfew" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Feverfew in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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