Florence Fennel Plant, 3.5 Inch Pot

Florence Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum) is the bulbing form of fennel - grown primarily for its crisp, swollen leaf base that forms a rounded white-green bulb with a mild, sweet anise flavor prized in Italian and Mediterranean cooking. The feathery blue-green fronds are as aromatic as those of common fennel, and the yellow flower umbels attract clouds of beneficial insects in summer. It is both beautiful and delicious.

Growing Information
Florence Fennel thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. It is a cool-season crop that performs best in spring and fall - summer heat causes it to bolt before forming a good bulb. Sow or transplant in early spring for a late spring harvest, or in late summer for a fall harvest. Plants reach 2-3 feet tall. Harvest bulbs when they reach the size of a tennis ball, before hot weather triggers bolting. Fennel is allelopathic - keep it away from most other vegetables and herbs.

Traditional Use
Fennel has been cultivated and valued throughout the Mediterranean world for thousands of years, appearing in ancient Greek and Roman records as both food and medicine. The seeds, fronds, and bulb of Florence Fennel are all edible and have been traditionally used in Italian culinary tradition. Herbalists have long valued fennel seeds and the aromatic parts of the plant for their digestive properties in folk herbal tradition across European cultures.

Care on Arrival
Water gently upon arrival and settle in a bright spot before transplanting. Florence Fennel is somewhat sensitive to root disturbance - transplant carefully without disturbing the root ball. Plant in enriched, moist soil after your last frost date. Keep consistently watered for good bulb development. If the weather turns hot before harvest, harvest promptly rather than waiting - heat triggers bolting quickly. A fall planting often produces better bulbs than spring in warm climates.

You Might Also Like
If you enjoy fennel's sweet anise character, explore Bronze Fennel for dramatic burgundy foliage and seed production. Anise Hyssop and Lemon Verbena share the sweet, aromatic character that makes fennel appealing. For a kitchen herb garden, pair with Italian Oregano, Sage, and English Thyme.

At Zenobia's Garden, every plant is grown on our 8-acre farm in Perry County, Missouri - tended by hand with attention to soil health, plant vitality, and botanical integrity. We grow medicinal herbs because we believe in them, and we want the plants that leave our farm to thrive in yours. Questions about your order or your plants? Reach us at susan@zenobiasgarden.com - we're growers first, and we're happy to help.