Feverfew in Zone 6a & 6b
Tanacetum parthenium
Yes, feverfew grows in zones 6a and 6b. Start seeds indoors Mar 14–Mar 21 and plant out Apr 25–May 2.
When to plant feverfew in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b 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 14–Mar 21 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 25–May 2 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 14–Jul 21 (~80 days after planting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2.5-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 6b
These go outside within two weeks of feverfew in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 2–May 9
- MarigoldMay 2–May 9
- African DaisyApr 25–May 2
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)Apr 25–May 2
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)Apr 25–May 2
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)Apr 25–May 2
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 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Feverfew needs about 80 days from sowing to first bloom.
Feverfew planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b 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 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | Jul 29–Aug 5 |
| 6a & 6b (your zone) | 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 →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
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 6b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Feverfew in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest