Foeniculum

( fin - ICK - yoo - lum )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus produces herbaceous flowering plants and is best known for its widely grown crop species, Foeniculum vulgare, commonly known as Fennel, from which most parts of the plant are harvested for various culinary uses. Foeniculum plants are most commonly grown as members of edible gardens. When allowed to go to flower, they are also very popular with pollinators and will draw them into the garden.

Foeniculum Species and Varietals

The genus Foeniculum is a member of the plant family Apiaceae, and includes just three species. These plants are closely related to Anise, Dill, Caraway, and Celery. Foeniculum grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or elsewhere as an annual. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Foeniculum vulgare (Florence Fennel, Fennel, Finocchio)
This species of herbaceous plants form hardy, perennial herbs that produce feathery green foliage and yellow flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean region, and has naturalized in many other areas of the world. It is a highly flavorful herb, and reaches up to 8 feet tall. The Azoricum cultivar group produces bulb-like structures at their base, which are typically sliced and added to dishes. Variety 'Purpureum' ('Nigra'), also known as 'Bronze Leaf Fennel' is an ornamental cultivar that produces darker foliage.

Caring for Foeniculum

Foeniculum plants are very easy to grow from seed, and will even self-sow in the garden and spread throughout the landscape if seed heads are not harvested quickly after forming. Seedlings will appear in about two weeks, and can be transplanted out once they are a few inches tall. If growing from seed directly in the garden, make sure to space plants between 8 and 12 inches apart, and sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch under the soil surface. Pick a sunny location (one that receives between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day) for planting Foeniculum. These plants are not picky about soil pH, but will perform best in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (with a pH of between 6.0 and 8.0). Ensure that soil is well-draining. If local soils are particularly poor or have bad structure, make sure to amend with plenty of organic matter and compost before installing plants. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. Keep plants consistently watered at maturity; skipping waterings will cause plants to bolt (especially in warm weather).

Fertilize in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. At the end of the growing season, plants can be allowed to flower for the purposes of seed collecting. Foeniculum plants can live for between 3 and 5 years in the garden in ideal growing zones, and are treated as annuals in cooler climates, pulled at the end of the year and replanted in the next.

Harvesting Foeniculum
Fennel plants are harvested for their edible bulbs, fronds, and seeds. Fronds (leaves) can be harvested as a cut-and-come-again green. The leaves can be rinsed and then used fresh in salads, as a garnish, blended into pesto or salsa, or cooked into stocks, soups, or pasta sauce. The leaves have a delicate, fresh Anise flavor. The bulbs are typically ready to be harvested between 90 and 115 days after planting, when they have reached 2-3 inches in diameter (about the size of a tennis ball). Use a sharp knife to cut the bulb at its base and store in the refrigerator in the crisper drawer for up to a week. In late summertime, plants will begin to flower and go to seed. They are ready to be harvested when the flower heads turn from green to brown. Snip the entire flower head from the plant and carefully place it in a paper bag to dry. Then, once all flower heads have been snipped, place the bag in a cool, dark dry area. After a few days, shake to release seeds. The seeds of Fennel plants are commonly used as a spice, and can be stored in a glass container in a cool, dark, dry cupboard. Fennel seeds are sweetly aromatic, with a strong anise flavor and undertones of citrus and woodiness. They are a common ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Foeniculum plants are best propagated by seed. To propagate your Fennel plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Foeniculum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest the seeds. Seed heads are borne on the umbelliform inflorescences that remain on the plant once flowers have faded. Typically, when flowers and subsequent seed pods appear, this means that the Fennel plant will not be producing as many leaves that can be used for flavoring dishes. Many backyard gardeners will dedicate one of their Fennel plants to flowering in order to both harvest the most foliage possible and also harvest flowers and seeds. Remove the entire head from the plant and pace it in a bag to avoid dropping seeds. Seeds can be sown immediately or stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. They will stay viable for up to 5 years if stored properly.
In springtime (6-8 weeks before the last frost date), water the prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place seeds about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with a spray bottle. Place in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination typically takes between 10 and 24 days from sowing. Once seedlings sprout and are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of a fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when it can be transplanted it to its new home out in the garden.
Alternatively, seeds can be direct-sown into the garden soil once soil temperatures are consistently staying above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Space seeds 1-2 inches apart, and once seedlings emerge, thin so that they are between 8 and 12 inches apart.