Giant Fennel (Ferula tingitana)

Giant Fennel

Ferula tingitana

Tall, architectural umbels rise like frothy green spires. Biennial herbaceous giant; common name: Giant Fennel.

Full sun
1–2/week
Moderate
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Plant Needs

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Sunlight Requires full sun exposure for robust growth; tolerates partial shade in extremely hot arid regions
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Watering Water deeply but infrequently; allow the top 15–20 cm of soil to dry completely between waterings to avoid root rot
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Temperature Tolerates mild frost down to 5°C; avoid prolonged temperatures below 0°C and extreme heat above 38°C
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Characteristics

  • Leaf: Large, pinnately compound fern-like leaves with silvery-green, densely hairy texture
  • Flower: Dense, flat-topped umbels of tiny bright yellow flowers
  • Stem: Thick, fleshy hollow stem with a resinous, aromatic scent when cut
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Care Guide

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist during active growth phases

Fertilization

Apply diluted balanced liquid feed once every 2 weeks. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering

Banana peel compost tea:Compost banana peels for 2–3 weeks, steep in water for 24 hours, dilute 1:20 with water for root drenching; discard solid peels to avoid pest infestations
Pruning
  • Remove spent flower heads after blooming to control self-seeding if desired
  • Cut back dead foliage to ground level in late autumn to tidy the planting area
  • Thin overcrowded seedlings in early spring to promote strong, upright growth
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Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA: No documented toxicity to cats

Humans: Ingestion of large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset due to coumarin compounds

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Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Ornamental architectural garden plant; stem resin used in traditional Mediterranean herbal remedies