Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
herbFenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a fast-growing annual legume, about 1.5 to 2 ft tall, grown for two harvests: its tender, clover-like leaves (methi), used as a cooked green and herb, and its small, hard, golden seeds, used as a warm, maple-like, slightly bitter spice. It is a staple of Indian cooking and, as a legume, fixes nitrogen, making it a useful rotation and green-manure crop. Leaves are ready in a few weeks, while seed needs a longer warm season to ripen.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Harvest
~90 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
4-6 in apart for leaf; wider for seed
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Planting Depth
Sow 0.25-0.5 in deep
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Loam, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 10
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Little feeding needed
Fertilizer
Compost only; the legume fixes its own nitrogen
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow fenugreek in full sun in loamy, well-drained soil with a pH around 6 to 7; it does best in mild conditions roughly between 45 and 80 F and dislikes wet soil. It does not transplant well, so direct sow the seed where it is to grow, scattering or spacing it and thinning to about 4 to 6 in apart for leaf, or wider for seed. Keep the soil moderately moist but not soggy. For leaves, sow successively and cut while young; for seed, give it a long, warm, frost-free stretch so the slender pods can fill and dry. As a legume it needs little nitrogen and improves the soil.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Jul 14
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Cabbage — A leafy crop that benefits from the nitrogen the legume fixes
- Bean — Another legume that pairs in a soil-building rotation
- Tomato — A heavy feeder that follows well after the nitrogen-fixing herb
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Cluster on tender shoots; rinse off and conserve natural enemies
A soil fungus in hot, dry, stressed conditions; avoid drought stress and rotate
White coating in humid crowding; space for airflow and avoid overhead watering
🌾 Harvest & storage
For leaves (methi), cut tender young shoots about three to four weeks from sowing, before the plant flowers, taking the upper growth so it can regrow. For seed, leave the plant to flower and form slender pods, then harvest when the pods turn yellow-brown and dry, about three to four months from sowing; dry the pods fully, then thresh out the small golden seeds and store airtight.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Fenugreek leaves are rich in iron, vitamins, and fiber, and the seeds add fiber, protein, and a warm, maple-like aroma. Leaves are cooked as a green and seeds used whole or ground as a spice.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.