Fennel

Fennel Foeniculum Vulgare

What is the plant

The perennial herb, leaf fennel or sweet fennel is grown for its aromatic, aniseed-flavoured feathery leaves and its seeds, both of which are used to flavour dishes. The foliage is also very attractive and ornamental, and looks great in beds and borders. Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce) is grown as a tender annual vegetable, loved for its crunchy, swollen stems. The leaves can also be used as a herb.

It can be invasive in the US and Europe.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

15°C - 21°C

Hardiness zone

4a - 9b

Difficulty

Medium

Toxicity

Poisonous

Invasive

Weed

Water
Watering until it's well established, growing fennel should be watered on a regular basis to ensure it receives an even amount of moisture. once plants are big and healthy, they can tolerate a bit of dryness.
Sunlight
If your plant is not getting enough light, the most common sign is the yellowing and dropping of leaves, stunted leaf growth, elongated stems, and a dull-green color. If your plant is getting too much light, then its leaves will have singed tips, burned patches, or will be falling off (yikes!).
Fertilizer
When it comes to fertilizers, you want to avoid over-fertilizing (just like an overdose of vitamins isn't great for us, either). Less is more, so it’s important to follow what the package says for application amounts.

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Soil
The ideal blend of soil for plant growth is called loam. Often referred to as topsoil or black dirt by landscape companies, loam is a mixture of sand, clay, and silt.
Pruning
Trim out dead and damaged leaves any time, pinching off or cutting off each of those leaves at its base. Avoid cutting into a plant's main stems or its crown, which is where its leaves and roots meet.
Temperature
Direct sow seeds thinly outdoors from March/April to July into well-prepared soil when temperatures reach around 13-18°C (55-64°F)

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Container
Plants that don't like a lot of moisture will need a drainage hole for moisture to escape and for airflow to circulate through the pot. Another important function of drainage holes is to allow water to flush the soil of excess salts from fertilizers.
Additional
Skin contact with the sap or essential oil is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people. Ingestion of the oil can cause vomiting, seizures and pulmonary oedema. Avoid for small children. Avoid if cirrhosis/liver disorders. Diabetics check sugar content of preparation
Popularity
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