Growing Fennel, also Bronze fennel

foeniculum vulgare : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions

  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: Thin to 30 cm
  • Harvest in 14-15 weeks.
  • Avoid growing close to: Best grown away from vegetables
  • Bronze fennel

A tall plant with feathery looking leaves. The whole plant has an aniseed flavour, including the seeds. Choose a place in the garden where it can self seed without causing too much trouble and there will be seedlings every year.

Needs staking to protect the seed heads. Can grow to 1.5 m (5 ft). Keep watered, otherwise the leaves dry off.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Fennel

Cut off leaves as required Use leaves fresh or dried . Particularly good with fish.
The seeds can be used in pickling mixes.

Your comments and tips

24 Sep 22, Alvin Walling (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Can I put my potted bronze fennel in the ground in late September?
21 Feb 22, mick (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Fennel that is skinny and not bulbous is the male plant discard it and keep the plump ones these are female
21 Feb 21, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Thinking of growing fennel for the first time, to attract swallowtails. I've never grown it because I've heard it inhibits the growth of nearby plants. But I'm unclear HOW it does that. Is it a chemical exuded from the roots? In other words, would growing it in a large pot help? Or is it a compound the whole plant gives off, like a pheromone released into the air? One gardener told me they're only allelopathic if allowed to flower. Has this been anyone's experience?
12 Apr 22, Rachel (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I believe it to be invasive and can take over other plants and deprive them of light and nutrients
21 Sep 18, Elaine Chan (Australia - temperate climate)
It's supposed to give you better bulbs when grown in warmer weather. When did you grow yours?
03 Apr 18, Ollie (Australia - temperate climate)
I see that Fennel here is listed to be planted in Sept/Oct. However I find that Fennel is better as a winter crop with soups and I plant it March/April. It grows really well here in Perth.
04 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
This website is a guide only.
03 Jun 15, Sally-Anne Pucek (Australia - temperate climate)
Fennel bulb is great in stews and savoury hotpots chopped up. To make it last , dice and freeze in snap lock freezer bags. If you have no luck growing, buy bulk in season when cheap, dice and freeze till needed- delicious.
20 Mar 14, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm in suburban Adelaide. Tried fennel last year. Grew like crazy, but no bulb. Any tips on how, when and where to plant would be much appreciated.
09 Nov 12, John Hunt (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it OK to plant fennel out of full sun. I have a spot which gets about 4 hours a day? Thanks JH
Showing 1 - 10 of 20 comments

I believe it to be invasive and can take over other plants and deprive them of light and nutrients

- Rachel

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.