Phacelia Growing Guide

Phacelia tanacetifolia

Phacelia

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Any average, well drained soil.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Phacelia will survive mild frosts to overwinter and bloom in spring.

Feeding

None generally required.

Spacing

Single Plants: 15cm (5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 15cm (5") with 15cm (5") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow in late summer or early autumn as a green manure. Make sure seed is well covered, because phacelia seeds need darkness to germinate.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Phacelia is a wonderful plant for attracting bees and other beneficial insects, particularly useful in early spring if it has overwintered as it is an early pollen source for bees coming out of hibernation.

Harvesting

For maximum benefit as a green manure dig in when quite small. Otherwise leave plants to grow up to 1m (3 ft) tall as the flowers attract beneficial insects.

Troubleshooting

Although native to California in the US phacelia harbours damaging lygus bugs, so it is rarely grown there.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Phacelia