Feverfew
Tanacetum parthenium
Feverfew is a bushy, aromatic herb covered in small white daisy flowers with yellow centers. Long valued in herbal medicine for headaches, it is also a cheerful, easy cottage-garden plant.
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a short-lived perennial herb in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It forms a bushy mound of citrus-scented, feathery foliage smothered in masses of small white, yellow-centered daisies through summer.
The plant has a long medicinal history, its name derived from the Latin for 'fever reducer,' and it remains popular as a traditional remedy for migraines. It self-seeds freely and pops up readily around the garden.
Easy and cheerful, feverfew suits cottage gardens, herb gardens, and informal borders.
How to identify it
Recognize feverfew by its small daisies and pungent, ferny leaves.
- Flowers: Numerous small daisy-like blooms, about 0.75 inch across, with white rays and flat yellow centers
- Leaves: Yellow-green, feathery, deeply divided, and strongly aromatic when crushed
- Size: 1 to 2 feet tall, forming a rounded, bushy clump
- Scent: Pungent, bitter, citrusy aroma
- Bloom time: Summer into early autumn
Care & growing
An undemanding herb that thrives almost anywhere sunny.
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- Soil: Average, well-drained soil; tolerates poor conditions
- Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9; often grown as a short-lived perennial or self-seeding annual
- Feeding: Little needed; rich soil reduces flowering
- Propagation: Seed (it self-sows abundantly), division, or cuttings; deadhead to limit spread
Habitat & origin
Native to the mountainous regions of the Balkans and Asia Minor, feverfew has naturalized widely across Europe, North America, and beyond.
It grows readily in herb gardens, cottage borders, and disturbed sunny ground. It is commonly cultivated both ornamentally and for traditional medicinal use throughout temperate regions.
Uses & benefits
A classic medicinal herb and cheerful ornamental.
- Traditionally used to prevent and ease migraines, headaches, and fevers; chewing the leaves can cause mouth ulcers, so prepared forms are preferred
- A bright, long-blooming addition to cottage and herb gardens
- The flowers attract pollinators, and the pungent foliage is said to deter some insects
Frequently asked questions
Is feverfew good for migraines?
It has a long traditional use for preventing migraines, and some studies support this, though you should consult a professional before using it medicinally.
Is feverfew the same as chamomile?
No, though it is sometimes called wild chamomile. The flowers look similar, but feverfew is a different, more pungent plant.
Does feverfew spread?
Yes, it self-seeds freely and can pop up throughout the garden. Deadheading helps keep it in check.
Can I eat feverfew leaves?
Chewing raw leaves can cause mouth sores and irritation. It is generally taken in prepared or encapsulated forms instead.
Feverfew guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Feverfew.
Feverfew identified by the community
Real specimens identified with Plant Identifier.
