anise
Pimpinella anisum or aniseed
- approx 4000 seeds
- £2.89
- available to order from late spring
Delivery options
- Seed Packets (only) £2.95
- Position: Full sun
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: Average
- Hardiness: Half-hardy annual
Anise is a bushy annual with finely divided, fern-like green leaves which are aromatic when crushed. An essential ingredient in dishes and recipes the world over, the seeds, stems and leaves of Pimpinella anisum impart a distinctly sweet, black liquorice or aniseed-like flavour to food. Broad, dome-shaped heads of tiny white flowers are produced in summer.
Plants may need staking to keep seed pods off the ground. Pull up once the seed has been harvested. While the stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds are all edible, the seeds are the most widely used. You can also use the leaves in teas.
Sow in situ after all risk of frost has passed as plants dislike transplanting and root disturbance. Alternatively, start the seeds indoors at 68°F (20°C) in compostable pots and then plant them out in the garden once they are hardened off from May onwards.