Phacelia tanacetifolia
Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous●
Soil
Any sunny site with good drainage.
Position
Full sun to partial afternoon shade.
Frost tolerant
Phacelia seedlings can tolerate light frost, but the plants are easily damaged by hard freezes.
Feeding
When growing phacelia to improve very poor soil, mixing a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil before planting will give better results.
Companions
Mixes well with other cool-season flowers such as orange calendulas, or you can use phacelia as a cover crop or bee plant.
Spacing
Single Plants: 5" (15cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 5" (15cm) with 5" (15cm) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Sow phacelia in spring while the soil is still cool. Make sure seed is well covered, because phacelia seeds need darkness to germinate. Broadcast seed into cultivated soil so that the seeds are about 2 inches (5 cm) apart and one-fourth inch (0.5 cm) deep. Thin to 10 inches (25 cm) apart in all directions.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Notes
Limit reseeding by pulling up or turning under phacelia just after it blooms, but before it develops mature seeds.
Harvesting
Phacelia can be pulled up and composted or turned under any time. Pull up individual plants grown for flowers before they shed seeds.
Troubleshooting
Phacelia has few problems with pests or diseases, but expect plant to be abuzz with bees and other beneficial insects.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar
More For You
How to Clear Overgrown Land Without Using Chemicals
Climate Change: Fight Back With Cover Crops and Compost!
