Anise Seeds

Grow Sweet, Licorice-Scented Seeds from Heirloom, Non-GMO Anise Seeds

Anise brings a warm, sweet licorice note to the kitchen, and it is surprisingly easy to grow at home. Our heirloom anise seeds (Pimpinella anisum) grow into feathery annual herbs topped with lacy white flowers, and by season's end you can harvest your own aromatic seeds for baking and tea. The blooms are a bonus, drawing in bees and beneficial insects along the way.

Who it's for

A rewarding grow for bakers, tea drinkers, and cooks who like to grow their own spices. Anise is easygoing in a warm, sunny spot, and there is real satisfaction in harvesting a jar of seeds you grew yourself. Gardeners who love pollinators will enjoy it too.

How & when to plant

Anise forms a taproot and does not like being moved, so sow the seeds directly where they will grow. Plant them about a quarter inch deep in full sun after your last frost, once the soil is warm, and thin plants to about 6 to 12 inches apart. Seeds usually germinate in about 10 to 14 days. Our Anise growing guide has the full details.

Growing & care

Give anise full sun, warmth, and soil that drains well, and keep it evenly watered while young. It appreciates a long, warm season to ripen its seeds, so a sheltered, sunny spot is ideal. Keep the bed weeded early on, since the young plants are delicate, and stake if your site is windy.

Harvest

For seeds, let the flower heads mature and the seeds turn grey-brown, then snip the heads and dry them before threshing out the seeds. You can also snip the young leaves earlier to use fresh in salads. Store the dried seeds in a jar for the pantry.

Benefits & uses

Anise seeds are a baker's favorite, lending their sweet licorice flavor to cookies, breads, and cakes, as well as teas and homemade syrups. The fresh leaves brighten salads, and the flowering plants feed bees and beneficial insects in the garden.

Why bakers grow our anise seed

Our anise seed is heirloom, non-GMO, and untreated, chosen for strong germination and packed fresh by a licensed seed dealer based in the USA. Grow your own spice and save seed from your best plants year after year. Choose the pack size that suits your garden and start sowing.