How to Grow Anise Herb Plants

About Growing Anise Plants in Your Herb Garden

Those of us growing Anise herbs, do so for the fresh and popular flavor of licorice. Anise plants are native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Also, you can find it growing wild in fields. It is related to caraway and dill plants.

Anise plants have lacy leaves, and heads of white flowers that give way to seeds containing tasty oils. When in bloom, Anise displays a profusion of flowers. And that’s good because the flowers produce the seeds that produce the oils that taste so good!

Anise plants are the perfect size for growing in a container on your patio or deck. And, you can grow these plants indoors during the winter months, too.

Medicinal and Culinary Uses

Medicinal Uses: Anise is often used to treat stomach aches.

Main Cooking Uses:

Anise oil is extracted from the seeds.

Use leaves in salads, seeds in baking, cookies, pastries, cheese, and candies. It is also used to flavor oils and liqueurs.

Leaves and flowers can also be used as a garnish.

Nutritional Value

100 grams of Anise seeds contain approximately:

337 calories
50 g carbs
0 cholesterol
16 g fat
15 g fiber
18 g protein
37 mg sodium

Anise Plant Growing Specifics

Days to Harvest: 100 to 120 days after planting seeds, depending upon variety and growing conditions.

Plant Height: Two to five feet tall.

Light Needs: Full sunlight.

Ideal Soil pH : 6.3– 7.0.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 4 – 11

Ideal Growing Temperatures: Daytime: 60 – 75° F.

Plant Type: Annual.

Deer Resistant? Yes.

Native To: Eastern Mediterranean and Southwest Asia.

Botanical Name: Pimpinella Anisum

Anise Plant Propagation

Anise plants are grown from seed. Directly sow seeds into your garden. Sow seeds early in the season. Then, cover the seeds lightly with fine garden soil.

For indoor starts sow seeds 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting them outdoors. Also, we recommend a heated germination mat, for faster, more successful germination.

Final Plant Spacing: Space seedlings, or thin plants to 18″ apart in rows 12 inches apart.

Days to Germination: 10 – 12 days.

How to Grow Anise Plants

Planting and Soil Needs

Anise plants are easy to grow. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They will do well in average soils, and tolerate dry soil conditions.

The plants are frost sensitive. Consequently, plant them after all danger of frost has past in the spring. And, cover them up if frost is predicted in early Fall.

Light Needs

Anise plants thrive in full sunlight. Grow it in a location where it will receive at least seven to eight hours of bright, direct sun. For optimal plant growth, select a planting location where it will receive full sun from sunrise to sunset.

Fertilizer Needs

Mix a general-purpose fertilizer into the soil at planting time. Then, reapply once a month during the growing season.

Water Needs

Keep the soil moist, but not soggy throughout the growing period. Water the plants during dry periods, once or twice per week. Then, allow the top of the soil to dry out between watering.

Other Steps

Established plants should do well with little maintenance.

Weeds rob valuable water and soil nutrients. Therefore, keep young plants well-weeded. Then, after they have grown several inches, apply a layer of mulch. This helps to retain soil moisture and gives the plant a neat and tidy appearance.

Annual anise plants are killed by frost or freeze. Cover up spring seedlings if unusually cold weather is forecasted. Be prepared to cover up the plants in the Fall, to protect them from frost and extend the season a little while longer.

Insect and Plant Disease Problems

Insect and disease problems are uncommon.

Also see:

Plant Problems – causes and cures

Harvesting Anise Seeds

Harvest flower heads after seeds have formed, and the flower head has died. First, extract seeds from the seedpods. Next, dry them in a cool, dry location. Finally, make sure they are dry before storing them in an air-tight container.