Alpine Feverfew

Choosing Alpine Feverfew

Welcome to your gardening journey with Alpine Feverfew! This plant is a beautiful flowering herb that's perfect for adding charm to your garden. It's also pretty resilient, making it a great choice for beginners.

What you'll need:

Seeds or young Alpine Feverfew plants (you can find these at local nurseries or online)

Pots or a garden bed with good drainage

Standard potting soil or well-draining garden soil

A watering can or hose

Some basic fertilizer (a balanced one will do)

When to start: Alpine Feverfew loves cooler weather, so the best time to plant it is in early spring or fall when temperatures are mild. If you're starting seeds indoors, begin about 6 weeks before the last frost date in your area.

Choosing the right spot: This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade. Find a spot where it gets plenty of sunlight but some afternoon shade won't hurt either. If you're using pots, make sure they're placed in a sunny location.

If Using Seeds:

1. Fill small pots or seed trays with moist potting soil.
2. Sprinkle the Alpine Feverfew seeds on top and lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil—just enough to barely cover the seeds.
3. Gently water the soil until it’s damp but not soaking wet.
4. Place the pots in a bright, warm spot. They don’t need intense heat, just a cozy environment around 60-70°F (15-21°C).
5. The seeds will sprout in about 1-2 weeks.
6. Once the seedlings have grown a few sets of leaves, they’re ready to be transplanted to larger pots or your garden.

If Using Seedlings:

1. Choose a pot that’s at least 8 inches deep or a spot in your garden with good drainage.
2. Fill it with soil, leaving enough space for the seedling.
3. Dig a small hole slightly bigger than the root ball of the seedling.
4. Carefully remove the seedling from its container and place it in the hole.
5. Cover the roots with soil and gently press down around the base.
6. Water thoroughly after planting.

Tip: When transplanting, give each plant enough space—at least 12 inches apart—to allow for healthy growth.

Sunlight Requirements

Alpine Feverfew enjoys sunshine! Make sure it gets at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you live in an area with hot summers, a bit of afternoon shade will help keep it happy.

Watering Method

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Think of a damp sponge—this is the ideal moisture level.
• Water every 2-3 days, depending on how quickly the soil dries out. In hotter weather, you might need to water more often.
• Always water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to prevent fungal issues.

Tip: Check the soil with your finger—if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.

Fertilizing Tips

• Start fertilizing about a month after planting.
• Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
• Dilute the fertilizer according to the instructions on the package—it’s better to use a little less if you’re unsure.

Pruning and Deadheading

To encourage more blooms and keep your Alpine Feverfew looking neat, snip off any spent flowers regularly. This process, called deadheading, helps the plant focus its energy on producing new blooms instead of seeds.

When to Harvest

If you’re growing Alpine Feverfew for its flowers, you can harvest them once they’ve fully bloomed. The flowers are typically white with yellow centers and look lovely in bouquets or dried arrangements.

How to Harvest

1. Use clean scissors or pruning shears to cut the flower stems.
2. Cut just above a leaf node (where the leaves meet the stem) to encourage new growth.
3. If you want to dry the flowers, hang them upside down in a cool, dry place.

Storing

• Fresh flowers can be placed in a vase with water and will last several days.
• Dried flowers can be stored in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.

Tip: Harvest flowers early in the morning when they’re most hydrated and vibrant.

1. Leggy Plants

Cause: Not enough sunlight.

Solution: Move your Alpine Feverfew to a sunnier spot or prune it back to encourage bushier growth.

2. Yellow Leaves

Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage.

Solution: Check the soil moisture. If it’s too wet, reduce watering and ensure your pots or garden bed has proper drainage.

3. No Blooms

Cause: Insufficient light or nutrients.

Solution: Ensure the plant is getting enough sunlight and consider fertilizing if it hasn’t been done recently.

4. Powdery Mildew on Leaves

Cause: High humidity or overhead watering.

Solution: Improve air circulation around the plant and switch to watering at the base. Remove affected leaves to prevent spreading.

5. Wilting Plant

Cause: Underwatering or root-bound in pots.

Solution: Check if the soil is dry and water accordingly. If the plant is root-bound, consider repotting it into a larger container.