Anise

An annual herb grown for its licorice-flavored seeds used in teas, baking, and the liqueurs anisette and ouzo. Anise requires a long warm growing season and direct sowing, as it does not transplant well due to its fragile taproot. Harvest seed heads when they turn grey-brown and dry upside down in paper bags to catch the aromatic seeds.

Direct sow anise seeds after all frost danger has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 15°C. Sow 1cm deep and 20cm apart. Keep soil moist until germination, which takes 14-21 days—be patient. Do not attempt to transplant seedlings as the taproot is extremely fragile. In short-season areas, pre-warm the soil with black plastic mulch for 2 weeks before sowing to extend the effective growing season. Thin seedlings to 20cm spacing if they emerge too densely.

The Season Plate

Your Anise Year

Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1

Sow Anise Apr – May, pick Aug – Sep. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.

Sowing window

Apr – May

re-timed to your frost dates

Plant out

after Apr 2

once frost risk has passed

First picking

around Aug 13

≈ 120 days from sowing · 20-40 g per plant

Composed for —ColdTemperateMildWarmUse my locationUsed once to set your season · only the zone is kept

Week-by-week Anise reminders watering, feeding and pruning, timed to your dates

In the app

Frost alerts for your garden a warning before a cold night costs you the crop

In the app

Succession sowing dates so the picking never gaps mid-season

In the app

Keep my dates — free for 7 daysWe nudge you as each window opens · cancel anytime

Anise is a delicate annual herb growing 45-60cm tall with feathery foliage and umbels of tiny white flowers that develop into the prized licorice-flavored seeds. It requires a long, warm growing season (at least 120 frost-free days) to produce mature seed. Sow directly in the garden after all frost danger has passed, as the fragile taproot does not tolerate transplanting.

Choose the warmest, most sheltered spot in the garden with full sun and light, well-drained soil. Sow seeds 1cm deep and 20cm apart in rows. Keep soil consistently moist during germination, which takes 14-21 days. Once seedlings emerge, water moderately—anise prefers slightly dry conditions between waterings.

The plants are slender and delicate, sometimes needing support from neighboring plants or small stakes in windy positions. Flowers appear in midsummer, followed by seed development through late summer and early autumn. Harvest timing is critical: seeds must be collected when they turn grey-brown but before they shatter and fall from the plant.

Anise is traditionally planted alongside coriander, which shares similar growing requirements and whose flowers attract the same beneficial insects. The umbrella-shaped flower heads attract parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and other beneficials that help control garden pests. Anise is said to improve the germination and growth of nearby coriander when the two are planted together.

The Society Table

Coriander (Seed) belongs beside it. Carrot doesn't.

Old growers' knowledge, checked against Anise's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.

Grows well in the company of · 2

Coriander (Seed)Dill

Keep apart · 1

Carrot

Plant Anise with good neighboursThe planner flags conflicts before they're in the ground

Anise prefers light, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. Sandy loam is ideal. Avoid heavy clay which impedes the taproot and retains too much moisture. Light soil amendment with compost at planting is adequate. No additional fertilizer is needed during the growing season. Good drainage is more important than soil fertility for this herb.

Ideal Temperature

Hardiness Zone Compatibility

Harvest anise seeds when the seed heads turn grey-brown, typically in late summer to early autumn. Cut entire seed heads and place upside down in paper bags to catch seeds as they dry and fall. Timing is critical—harvest too early and seeds lack flavor, too late and they shatter and are lost. Check daily once seeds begin to change color. The entire harvest window may be only a few days.

Storage & Preservation

Dry seed heads completely in paper bags in a warm, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. Once dry, rub the heads to separate seeds from chaff. Store whole seeds in airtight glass jars in a cool, dark place where they remain flavorful for 2-3 years. Whole seeds retain their aromatic oils far longer than ground anise. For immediate use, lightly crush or grind seeds to release maximum flavor.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Short growing seasons are the biggest limitation—anise needs at least 120 warm days to produce mature seed. In cool climates, start with cloches or choose the warmest microclimate. Poor germination often results from cold soil; wait until soil is at least 15°C. Transplant shock kills the fragile taproot—always direct-sow. Weak, floppy stems are normal; interplant with sturdier herbs for mutual support.

Growing Tips

1. Always direct sow anise seeds rather than starting indoors, as the plant develops a long fragile taproot that does not tolerate transplanting or root disturbance.
2. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting to soften the hard outer coat and improve germination rates, which can otherwise be slow and uneven.
3. Choose the warmest, most sheltered spot in your garden with full sun exposure for at least 6-8 hours daily. Anise needs a long warm growing season of 120 or more frost-free days to produce mature seeds.
4. Plant in light, well-drained soil with a slightly alkaline to neutral pH of 6.0-7.0. Heavy clay soils should be amended with compost and coarse sand to improve drainage around the sensitive taproot.
5. Water consistently but moderately during the seedling stage, then reduce frequency as plants mature. Anise prefers slightly dry conditions once established and is susceptible to root rot in waterlogged soil.
6. Thin seedlings to 15-20 cm apart by snipping at soil level rather than pulling, which would disturb the taproots of neighboring plants and set back their growth.
7. Stake taller plants or grow anise in a sheltered location, as the slender stems can bend or snap under the weight of heavy seed heads during windy weather.
8. Harvest fresh leaves for salads before the plant begins flowering, as the foliage becomes sparse and less flavorful once energy shifts to seed production.
9. Cut seed heads for harvest when about two-thirds of the seeds on each umbel have turned from green to grey-brown. Hang them upside down inside paper bags to catch seeds that drop as they finish drying.
10. Grow anise near coriander and other umbellifers to create a beneficial insect habitat, as the flowers attract parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and lacewings that help control aphids and other garden pests.