Anise Seeds
Herb Specifications
Season: Annual
USDA Zones: 4 - 9
Height: 12 - 18 inches
Bloom Season: Mid summer
Bloom Color: White
Environment: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-drained, light, rich, rather dry, loamy soils, pH 5.6 - 7.5
Latin Name: Pimpinella Anisum
Planting Directions
Temperature: 68 - 70F
Average Germ Time: 14 days
Light Required: No
Depth: 1/4 - 1/2 inch deep
Sowing Rate: 3 seeds per plant
Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 9 - 12 inches
Planting & Care Guide: Anise
Anise (Pimpinella Anisum) - Start Anise seeds for a very versatile herb that can be grown for a wide variety of reasons. Anise plants make lovely ornamental herbs with fern-like, finely divided leaves and small white flower umbels. Anise is originally from the Middle East, and it has quite a long history as a medicinal herb. The Greeks and Romans used it as a cough remedy and as a breath freshener.
The Anise herb plant is also highly used as a culinary herb. It is sweet, highly aromatic and has a flavor similar to licorice. The leaves are often used to garnish dishes and are added to salads. The seeds are crushed and the flavoring is used in fruit dishes, pastries, and cheeses. The oil is also used in making perfumes, soaps and other toiletries.
How to Grow Anise Herb Seed: Directly sow Anise seeds outdoors in a prepared seedbed after the danger of frost has passed. Anise plants do not transplant well, so directly sowing the Pimpinella Anisum seed is recommended. A companion planting for Anise is coriander. The young plants need protection from winds. They thrive in full sun and in well-drained soils. Once the flower umbels are full of brown seeds, cut the seed heads off, placing them on paper toweling or plates. Set them in a warm place and in direct sunlight if possible to finish drying the herb seeds.
Useful Garden Herb
Anise plants are related to fennel, and have a similar sweet and unique fragrance. While fennel is perennial, anise will only grow for one year.
Fragrant and Attractive
How To Grow
Anise plants do not transplant well, so it is highly recommended to direct sow. Wait until all danger of frost has passed, then sow the seeds directly outdoors into a prepared seedbed. Plant seeds at a depth of 1/4 -1/2 inch. Space plants 9-12 inches apart, and keep seeds moist until germination, which will occur in about 2 weeks. Though an annual, this a fast-growing plant that will bloom wonderfully in summer. Grow in areas of full sun, but make sure to shelter young plants from the wind. Well-drained soil is best.
- Environment: Full sun
- Soil: well-drained w' pH 5.6-7.5
- Sow rate: 3 seeds per plant
Plant Specifications
Anise is an herbal annual plant that grows in USDA zones 4 through 9. While fennel sports yellow flowers, anise produces airy white blooms. This herb can be used for a variety of culinary and medicinal purposes.
- Bloom color: white
- Bloom season: mid summer
- Plant height: 12-18 inches