When to Plant Fennel (herb) in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow July to September. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Fennel (herb) guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Fennel (herb)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Herb fennel (common fennel) is a tall, feathery perennial grown for its anise-flavoured leaves, stems and seeds. NOT the same as Florence/bulb fennel (F. vulgare var. azoricum). Herb fennel is hardy, drought-tolerant, and can become a large landscape plant reaching 1.5-2m. Considered a weed in parts of Australia, grow responsibly.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - S S/T/D T/D - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Fennel (herb) in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Sow almost year-round: best Feb-Nov. Perennial in this zone.

Soil
Any well-drained soil. Tolerant of poor soils. Drought tolerant once established.
pH Range
5.5-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun.
Spacing
30cm apart, 60cm between rows
Watering
Low water needs once established. Water regularly when young. Very drought tolerant as a perennial.

Companion plants: Dill (distant), Sage

Avoid planting near: Tomato, Bean, Capsicum, Coriander, fennel is allelopathic and inhibits growth of many vegetables

Subtropical Growing Tips for Fennel (herb)

Recommended Varieties

  • Common fennel
  • Bronze fennel
  • Sweet fennel

Key Challenges

  • Can become weedy. Deadhead to prevent spread
  • Self-sows aggressively

Pro Tips

  • WARNING: Herb fennel is an environmental weed in parts of QLD and NSW. Deadhead religiously.
  • Bronze fennel is ornamental and equally useful culinarily
  • Keep away from vegetable garden due to allelopathic effects

Harvesting Fennel (herb)

When ready: Harvest leaves anytime once plant is established. Seeds ready when brown on plant.

How to harvest: Snip feathery fronds as needed. Cut seed heads when brown and dry in paper bags. Harvest young stems for cooking.

Where to next

What fennel costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

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Common Questions About Fennel (herb)

When do you plant fennel in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does fennel grow all year round in Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Jul to Sep. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.