Is feverfew a perennial?

It is a short lived perennial that often acts like an annual or biennial.

Does it need full sun?

It thrives best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade.

Plant guide

Feverfew.

Tanacetum parthenium

Pronounced tan-uh-SEE-tum par-THEN-ee-um

Also known as Feverfew

Feverfew is a charming, daisy-like perennial that has been used in gardens for centuries. It produces masses of small, white flowers with yellow centers that look lovely in borders. You will find it is quite hardy and often reseeds itself freely.

Another photo of Feverfew — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Mid summer to early autumn

Care

Plant this in well-draining soil and keep it consistently moist but not soggy. Watch for aphids on the flower buds and deadhead spent blooms to encourage a second flush of flowers. It thrives best when it gets plenty of light but appreciates some shade during the hottest part of the day.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back spent flowers to promote bushier growth and prevent unwanted self-seeding.
Repotting: Repot if the plant becomes root-bound or needs fresh soil to maintain vigor.
Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -20 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Short lived perennial, typically 2 to 3 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is generally safe but the fresh leaves can cause contact dermatitis or mouth irritation in sensitive individuals.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs. If eaten, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and skin irritation, and eating it over a long period may lead to bleeding problems.
Children: Keep away from young children as the leaves can cause mouth irritation if ingested.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in people sensitive to sesquiterpene lactones.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to the Asteraceae family.
Edibility: Feverfew leaves can cause mouth ulcers or irritation if chewed raw.

How to identify it

Daisy-like white flower heads
Strongly aromatic fern-like leaves
Clump forming growth habit
Yellow central disc florets

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: bright green, yellow green, deciduous
Flowers: white, yellow, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and flower buds.
Powdery mildew · A fungal infection that creates a white dusty coating on leaves.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the foliage to the ground after the first hard frost. Apply a light layer of mulch if you live in a very cold climate to protect the crown.
In containers: It grows well in containers at least 25 cm deep with good drainage.

Seed

1. Sow seeds on the surface of moist soil in spring.
2. Press them down gently without covering.
3. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination.

Plant feverfew near roses to help deter aphids and other unwanted visitors.

Grows well with

Lavender · They share similar sun and drainage requirements.
Sage · Both plants enjoy well drained soil and sunny conditions.

Similar species

Chamomile · It has similar daisy like flowers but is used primarily for tea.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Tanacetum
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Balkan Peninsula, Anatolia, and the Caucasus.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

This plant thrives in disturbed soils and sunny meadows where it competes well with other herbaceous species.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, attracts beneficial insects
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, beetles
Uses: medicinal herb, pollinator garden, border plant, cut flowers

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is feverfew a perennial?: It is a short lived perennial that often acts like an annual or biennial.
Does it need full sun?: It thrives best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade.

Where the name comes from

The name Tanacetum is thought to derive from the Greek word athanatos, meaning immortal, while parthenium refers to its historical use as a medicinal herb.

Good to know

Feverfew is a member of the daisy family.
The name comes from the Latin word febrifugia, meaning fever reducer.
It often self seeds readily in the garden.
The flowers look like miniature daisies.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.