Foeniculum vulgare

RHS Plant Profile
common fennel

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common fennel RHS 1988
common fennel visionspictures.com
common fennel visionspictures.com
common fennel visionspictures.com

Other common names

fenkell, fennel, finckle, finkel, Sabbath day posy, ffenigl cyffredin

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Herbs - Culinary Herbaceous Perennial
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Robust, upright, aromatic perennial plant to 1.8m tall, with 3 to 4 pinnate mid-green leaves composed of hair-like segments, and branching stems bearing flat umbels of small yellow flowers in summer; both leaves and fruits are aniseed-scented

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage Fruit
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming
Genus
Foeniculum is a large biennial or perennial with aromatic, finely dissected leaves and umbels of small yellow flowers, followed by aromatic fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mediterranean

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See fennel cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Gravel garden
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove spent flower heads to prevent self-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and slugs

Diseases

Powdery mildews may occur