Phacelia Seed (lb)

Description

Phacelia tanacetifolia Annual cool season cover crop.

Phacelia is a non-legume, fast-growing broadleaf cover crop valued for its ability to improve soil fertility, suppress weeds, and support pollinators. Its fern-like foliage and striking blue flowers provide both function and beauty in the garden or field. Known for its excellent capacity to accumulate and recycle excess nitrates and calcium, phacelia enriches soil health while protecting against nutrient loss. Winter-killed at 20°F, it is well-suited for crop rotations in cool-season systems and can also be used for feed or hay in soils with low to medium nitrogen availability.

Quick to establish, phacelia germinates in just 5–10 days and thrives in a variety of soil types. Its dense growth shades out weeds, reduces erosion, and adds valuable organic matter when incorporated as green manure. The vibrant blooms are highly attractive to bees and beneficial insects, making it one of the best cover crops for supporting biodiversity and pollinator health. Easy to manage and non-invasive, phacelia is an excellent option for regenerative gardens, orchards, and small farms seeking to build long-term soil fertility.

For more soil-building options, explore our full collection of cover crop seeds.

Application Rate: 0.125–0.25" deep at 4–5 lb/acre or 2–3 oz/1000 sq ft

Inoculant: Not required. This is a nonlegume cover crop and does not rely on Rhizobium bacteria for nitrogen fixation.

Germination: 5–10 Days

Plant Height: 2–3'

Uses: Nitrogen and calcium accumulation, attracts bees, weed competition, forage or hay

Facts to Note: Plant in early fall in most climates; winter-kills at 20°F