Phoenix Phacelia

Phacelia Increases Diversity of Beneficial Insects

A quick-growing, cold and drought tolerant plant that's great for pollinators.

CC-Phacelia

Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) is a quick growing, warm-season flowering plant that is native to the US and can reach heights of up to 4 feet. It is well adapted to soils ranging in pH from 6.5 to 7.8. Phacelia has good cold tolerance and has the ability to establish and grow under colder conditions. Certain studies indicate it may provide some nematode suppression for Sugar Beet Cyst Nematode; more studies are needed to address other nematode control.

Its quick growing fibrous root system is effective at catching excess nitrates and phosphates before they leach into waterways. It’s extensive root network helps in improving soil health by enhancing nutrient retention and promoting aeration.

Phacelia’s vibrant flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects, thus contributing to biodiversity and overall ecosystem balance. With its long blooming period and ability to produce nectar even in varying weather conditions, Phacelia is among the top-five highest producing nectar sources. 

Nitrogen icon

Nitrogen Fixation

icon erosion

Erosion Control

icon weed

Weed Control

icon compaction

Compacted Soils

icon recycling

Nutrient Recycling

Water Infiltration

icon quick growth

Quick Growth

iocn forage

Quality Forage

icon nematode

Nematode Control

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Beneficial Insectary

key benefit

Image Gallery:

Species
Lifespan
Root Structure
Carbon Ratio
pH
Seeds Per Pound
Forb
Annual
Fibrous
15:1
6.5-7.8
235,000

Planting Instructions:

Drilled
Broadcast
Seeding Rate:
5-7 lbs./acre (monoculture)
2-3 lbs./acre (in mixes)
8-10 lbs./acre (monoculture)
4-5 lbs./acre (in mixes)
Planting Depth:
1/4 inch
Ideal Soil:
Fine to medium soil type
Ideal Planting Season:
Spring, Summer, or Fall
Nitrogen Fixation Ability to fix nitrogen into your soil for your subsequent cash crops to utilize as fertilizer for growth and energy  
Weed Suppression Ability to suppress weeds by shading soil and releasing allelopathic chemicals  
Beneficial Insectary Ability to attract beneficial insects and reduce your reliance on costly insecticides  
Forage Quality Ability to improve forage quality by suppressing weeds and providing highly nutritious forage  
Nutrient Recycling Ability to store excess nutrients for use in subsequent cash crops  
Quick Growth Ability to increase soil organic matter by accumulating biomass in a short period of time  
Soil Compaction Ability to increase nutrient uptake and root development by breaking up dense and compacted soil  
Erosion Control Ability to hold soil in place to capture and retain moisture from rainfall and prevent topsoil erosion  
Water Management Ability to increase field productivity by improving the drainage of wet soils  
Heat Ability to tolerate heat stress caused by warm temperatures and/or limited water availability  
Drought Ability to tolerate periods of limited water availability  
Sub-Freezing Ability to tolerate freezing temperatures for an extended period of time  
Shade Ability to tolerate low light conditions caused by plant competition  
Flood Ability to tolerate standing water or flooded areas for a limited period of time  
Low Fertility Ability to tolerate soils with limited nitrogen, and other mineral resources necessary for growth  
Silage  
Hay  
Grazing  
Stockpile  
Pollinator  
Protein  
Relative Forage Value  
Water Soluble Carbohydrates  
Total Digestible Nutrients  
Corn  
Cotton  
Rice  
Soybean  
Wheat  
Red=Host, Green=Non-host, Yellow=Insufficient Data
Columbia Root Knot  
Northern Root Knot  
Southern Root Knot  
Soybean Cyst  
Sugarbeet Cyst  

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