Foeniculum vulgare (Sweet Fennel) is a perennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean region. Fennel has been a source of food, medicine and insect repellent since the Roman Empire. It grows wild in dry, poor soils and has a sweet liquorice flavour. Sweet Fennel is easy to grow, has a wide variety of uses and brings lots of pollinators into the garden. The pretty yellow flowers are also a treat during Summer and Autumn.
Suitable for Temperate, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Sweet Fennel is part of the carrot family and has similar properties to Caraway and Dill. The plant is much taller though and is a terrible companion plant. The flavour of Sweet Fennel is similar to anise or liquorice and has been used in alcohol flavouring as far back as the 15th century.
Growth
Foeniculum vulgare is a popular herb that grows to an average height of 2 metres (7 feet). Natively, it grows wild in poor soils and tolerates drought once established. Sweet Fennel is easy to grow and seeds will often germinate within one week. The herb thrives in poor soils and doesn’t require fertiliser. Choose an area of the garden that is away from the other plants as it often inhibits other companions.
Within two months or so, leaves can be harvested from the plant/s. Leaves have an anise/liquorice flavour and is noticeable by this stage. Flowers start blooming in late summer and continue through to mid-Autumn before dying off. To collect seeds, cut flowers just as the seeds are turning brown.
FAMILY:
Apiaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
6-30°C / 42-86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 2m (7 feet) above ground
WIDTH:
Up to 1.5m (5 feet)
pH:
5.5-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Bees and Insects
MATURITY:
Average of 5-6 months for seeds.
GERMINATION RATES:
75-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-14 days.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 250
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes
FACTS ABOUT FOENICULUM VULGARE (Sweet Fennel)
Sweet Fennel is included in recipes as a way to reduce hunger and lose weight. Chewing fennel leaves on a regular basis can help reduce appetite and aid in digestion.
Growing fennel near the dog’s kennel helps repel fleas and other insects. Another alternative is to add dried leaves to the pets’ bed.
The leaves and seeds of Fennel is said to combine well with fish and chicken dishes. Fennel flowers are the highest concentrate of the anise flavour and the most expensive.
Romans believed that eating Fennel seeds could help make blind people see again. Greeks believed fennel seeds increased their strength and consumed them in preparation for the ancient Olympics. The Chinese used the herb to treat snake bites and scorpion stings. But the strangest of all superstitions, the English used to put fennel seeds into their keyholes to stop ghosts coming into their rooms.
