Pimpinella anisum
Herbs

Anise

Pimpinella anisum

Anise · Light: Full sun · Water: Moderate. Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

LightFull sun
WaterModerate
DifficultyEasy
CategoryHerbs
Account →
Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.

Anise — Growing reference

Scientific namePimpinella anisum
Seed germination (days)7–14
Soil temperature for germination (°C)15.6–21.1
First harvest or flowering (days)100–120
Measured fromSeed
Plant spacing (cm)15.2–30.5
Mature height (cm)45.7–61
Mature spread (cm)15.2–22.9
USDA hardiness zones4–9
LightFull sun
WaterModerate
Sowing methodDirect sow

Growing directions

Sow seeds 1/4 in deep directly in their final location in rich, well-drained soil; anise develops a taproot that transplants poorly. Thin to 6–12 in apart once seedlings are established, and stake plants in exposed sites as they can be top-heavy when in flower. Anise needs a long, frost-free season to set seed—at least 120 days—so start as early as possible in cool climates. Harvest umbels when seeds begin to turn gray-green, cutting whole heads into paper bags to catch seeds as they ripen.

Source and local conditions

Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

OpenPlantDB · anise

Source & verification

OpenPlantDB · CC0

Open reference source ↗