Planting Anise
Anise is a warm season herb in the Apiaceae family. Getting the timing right is the difference between a strong stand and a disappointing one, so the windows below are given relative to your own last spring frost and first fall frost rather than a generic calendar date. Look up your local frost dates and count back or forward from there.
Sow Anise directly into the garden 0–1 weeks after your last frost, once the soil has warmed.
Spacing and Planting Depth
Give Anise room to mature. The figures below come from verified extension and seed-supplier data for typical varieties.
| Spacing in row | 6 inches |
|---|---|
| Row spacing | 12 inches |
| Plants per sq ft | 2 |
| Planting depth | 0.25 inches |
| Sun requirement | Full sun |
Days to Maturity
Anise reaches maturity in 100–120 days from sowing.
Anise is ready to harvest after about 110 days. Harvest before the first fall frost, which will end the plant's productive season.
Conditions and Care
As a warm-season herb, Anise needs warm soil and settled weather to thrive, and is set back or killed by frost. It is half-hardy — it withstands light frost but should be protected from a hard freeze.
Anise needs full sun — give it at least six hours of direct light a day for the best growth and flavor. Sow seed about 0.25 inches deep — small seed is sown shallow and barely covered, then keep the soil evenly moist until seedlings establish.
Anise belongs to the Apiaceae family; rotating where you grow members of this family each year helps limit the build-up of soil-borne pests and disease. Anise is generally grown as a single planting each season rather than succession sown.
Companion Plants
Pairing Anise with the right neighbors can improve growth and deter pests; a few combinations are best avoided.
Grows well with: Coriander (Seed)
Growing Notes
Grown for licorice-flavored seed; dislikes transplanting.