Plant Details

Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel

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Common names

59 names · 49 languages
EnglishYour language
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • wild fennel[2]
Other languages (48)
Dutch
  • Tuinvenkel
  • Venkel[2]
French
Afrikaans
Arabic
  • شمرة شائعة[2]
Armenian
  • Հոռոմ-սամիթ սովորական[2]
Asturian
Bantoanon
Basque
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
Czech
  • fenykl obecný[2]
Danish
Estonian
  • Harilik apteegitill[2]
Finnish
  • maustefenkoli[2]
Galician
Georgian
  • დიდი კამა[2]
German
Greek
  • Μάραθο[2]
Hebrew
  • שומר פשוט[2]
Hindi
  • सौंफ[2]
Hungarian
  • kerti édeskömény[2]
  • Édeskömény[2]
Indonesian
  • Adas Manis[2]
Italian
Japanese
  • ウイキョウ[2]
Kannada
  • ಸೊಂಪು[2]
Korean
Kurdish
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis pankolis[2]
Low Saxon
Malay
  • Pokok Adas[2]
Norwegian
Otomi
Polish
  • Fenkuł włoski[2]
  • Koper włoski[2]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Фенхель обыкновенный[2]
Sinhala
  • මහදුරු[2]
  • මාදුරු[2]
Slovak
  • fenikel obyčajný[2]
Slovenian
  • navadni komarček[2]
Spanish
Sundanese
Swedish
Thai
  • ผักชีล้อม[2]
  • เทียนข้าวเปลือก[2]
Turkish
Ukrainian
  • Фенхель звичайний[2]
Welsh
Language not specified
Sources & name notes (2)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Echter Fenchel (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 138601; taxon 6JBPX.
  • Eneldo — VernacularName.tsv, line 138602; taxon 6JBPX.
  • Esmeldo (ES); Fennel (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 138603; taxon 6JBPX.
[2] Foeniculum vulgare — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • fennel — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Sweet Fennel — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • hinojo — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Adas Manis — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • funcho — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • wild fennel — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fenouil — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • שומר פשוט — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fonoll — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • finocchio — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Adas — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Édeskömény — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • सौंफ — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Harilik apteegitill — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Mihilu — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • დიდი კამა — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • ಸೊಂಪು — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Rizyane — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Pokok Adas — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Veankel — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • ผักชีล้อม — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Fenchel — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fenykl obecný — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • 茴香 — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fennikel — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • maustefenkoli — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Fennikel — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Common fennel — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Venkel — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • finochu — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Μάραθο — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Фенхель обыкновенный — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • ウイキョウ — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Fiúncho — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • anis — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • මහදුරු — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • මාදුරු — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Հոռոմ-սամիթ սովորական — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • rezene — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fänkål — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Paprastasis pankolis — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • 회향 — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Vinkel — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • navadni komarček — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • شمرة شائعة — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • 茴香 — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • nximfi — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Komorač — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Fenkuł włoski — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Koper włoski — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • kerti édeskömény — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • เทียนข้าวเปลือก — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Ffenigl — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Echter Fenchel — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fenikel obyčajný — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Фенхель звичайний — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.

General information

Scientific name: Foeniculum vulgare
Accepted name (Kew): Foeniculum vulgare Mill. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Apiaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Foeniculum (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Fennel
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 1.22–1.83 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.46–0.99 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None
Growth habit: Erect, Multi-stemmed, Spreading

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Root, Seed, Stems, Condiment
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Dye, Essential oil, Repellent

Description

The leaves of fennel can be eaten both raw and cooked and have a delightful anise flavor. Young leaves are the tastiest, while older leaves can be tough. They are ideal as a garnish for both raw and cooked dishes and make a tasty addition to salads. Moreover, they help to improve digestion. The leaves can be dried, but since they can be harvested year-round, this is not necessary. If fennel grows in a warm and sheltered spot, leaves are available throughout the year. Both the leaf stalks and flower heads can be eaten raw or cooked and have a similar anise-like flavor as the leaves. Fennel seeds are often used as a seasoning in baked goods, bread, and fillings. They also have an anise-like flavor and are beneficial for digestion. The sprouted seeds can be added to salads, and essential oil can be made from the fully ripened and dried seeds, which serves as a flavoring. The cooked roots of fennel, which resemble parsnips somewhat, are also edible. Both the leaves and seeds can be used to make herbal tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/08
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 118026; name ID 2813581; Foeniculum Mill.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 117317; name ID 2813604; Foeniculum vulgare Mill..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Foeniculum vulgare

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2168123, ID 6JBPX: Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Foeniculum vulgare — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 3 in.
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .