Top 20 Varieties of Fennel to Grow: Tips, Advice, and Facts

Fennel is a versatile and aromatic plant that offers both a flavorful bulb and delicate, feathery leaves, often used in Mediterranean cuisine. Its slightly sweet, anise-like flavor makes it popular in salads, soups, and roasted dishes. Fennel is easy to grow, thriving in cool weather, and comes in different varieties, from those grown for their bulbs to those prized for their leaves or seeds. Here’s your guide to the top 20 fennel varieties to grow, with helpful tips, fascinating facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Fennel Varieties to Grow

1. Florence (Finocchio)

Tips: Florence fennel prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to encourage large, tender bulbs.
Facts: This popular variety is known for its large, crisp bulbs with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 80-90 days and is perfect for salads, grilling, or roasting.

2. Zefa Fino

Tips: Zefa Fino thrives in full sun and fertile soil. Water consistently to keep the bulbs tender and prevent bolting.
Facts: This slow-bolting variety produces tender, flavorful bulbs in about 75-80 days. It’s great for fresh eating, cooking, or roasting.

3. Perfection

Tips: Perfection grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote even bulb development.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces large, crisp bulbs with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 80-90 days and is perfect for fresh salads or cooked dishes.

4. Romanesco

Tips: Romanesco prefers full sun and rich, moist soil. Water regularly to ensure large, tender bulbs.
Facts: This variety produces large, flavorful bulbs with a sweet, slightly nutty flavor. It matures in about 85 days and is great for fresh eating or roasting.

5. Sweet Florence

Tips: Sweet Florence thrives in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the bulbs tender.
Facts: Known for its large, tender bulbs with a mild, sweet flavor, Sweet Florence matures in about 80 days and is ideal for fresh eating or roasting.

6. Selma Fino

Tips: Selma Fino grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to prevent bolting and ensure tender bulbs.
Facts: This slow-bolting variety produces large, tender bulbs with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It matures in about 75-80 days and is perfect for fresh salads or cooking.

7. Bronze Fennel

Tips: Bronze fennel prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Water consistently to encourage healthy leaf production.
Facts: This ornamental variety produces beautiful bronze-tinted leaves with a mild anise flavor. It’s grown primarily for its foliage, which is perfect for garnishing or adding to salads.

8. Orion

Tips: Orion thrives in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote large, tender bulbs.
Facts: This hybrid variety produces large, uniform bulbs with a sweet, crisp flavor. It matures in about 80 days and is perfect for fresh eating, roasting, or grilling.

9. Di Firenze

Tips: Di Firenze grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure large, tender bulbs.
Facts: This Italian heirloom variety produces large, crisp bulbs with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 80-85 days and is great for fresh eating or cooking.

10. Cantino

Tips: Cantino prefers full sun and rich, moist soil. Water consistently to keep the bulbs tender and prevent bolting.
Facts: This slow-bolting variety produces large, flavorful bulbs in about 75-80 days. It’s perfect for fresh salads, roasting, or grilling.

11. Montebianco

Tips: Montebianco grows well in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure large, tender bulbs.
Facts: This variety produces crisp, flavorful bulbs with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 85 days and is great for fresh eating or roasting.

12. Pollux

Tips: Pollux thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote even bulb development.
Facts: This variety produces large, tender bulbs with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 80-85 days and is perfect for fresh salads or cooking.

13. Preludio

Tips: Preludio grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to prevent bolting and ensure tender bulbs.
Facts: This slow-bolting variety produces large, crisp bulbs in about 75-80 days. It’s ideal for fresh eating or roasting.

14. Victorio

Tips: Victorio prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the bulbs tender and sweet.
Facts: This variety produces large, crisp bulbs with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 80-85 days and is perfect for fresh eating or grilling.

15. Gigante di Napoli

Tips: Gigante di Napoli grows well in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water consistently to promote large, tender bulbs.
Facts: This Italian heirloom variety produces extra-large bulbs with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 85 days and is great for fresh eating or roasting.

16. Antares

Tips: Antares thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure large, tender bulbs.
Facts: This hybrid variety produces large, crisp bulbs with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 80 days and is perfect for fresh eating or cooking.

17. Trieste

Tips: Trieste grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the bulbs tender and prevent bolting.
Facts: This variety produces large, tender bulbs with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 80-85 days and is ideal for fresh eating or cooking.

18. Grosso di Sicilia

Tips: Grosso di Sicilia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure large, tender bulbs.
Facts: This Italian heirloom variety produces large, flavorful bulbs with a mild, sweet flavor. It’s perfect for fresh salads, roasting, or grilling.

19. Supremo

Tips: Supremo grows well in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to prevent bolting and ensure tender bulbs.
Facts: This variety produces large, crisp bulbs with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 80-85 days and is great for fresh eating or cooking.

20. Magnifico

Tips: Magnifico thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote even bulb development.
Facts: This variety produces large, tender bulbs with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 80 days and is perfect for fresh salads, roasting, or grilling.

Common Questions About Growing Fennel

Q: When should I plant fennel?
A: Fennel is a cool-season crop and should be planted in early spring or late summer for fall harvests. It grows best in temperatures between 60-75°F (16-24°C).

Q: Can I grow fennel in containers?
A: Yes, fennel can be grown in containers as long as the pots are at least 12 inches deep and wide, with good drainage. Choose compact varieties like ‘Bronze Fennel’ or ‘Zefa Fino’ for container gardening.

Q: How long does fennel take to grow?
A: Fennel typically takes 75-90 days to mature, depending on the variety. Early-maturing varieties like ‘Zefa Fino’ may be ready in about 75 days, while larger types like ‘Florence’ may take up to 90 days.

Q: How do I know when fennel is ready to harvest?
A: Fennel is ready to harvest when the bulbs are about 3-4 inches in diameter. Cut the bulb at the base, just above the soil line, leaving the roots in place if you want to regrow the plant.

Q: How do I store harvested fennel?
A: Freshly harvested fennel bulbs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. To keep them fresh longer, wrap the bulbs in a damp paper towel and store them in a plastic bag.