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Annual Biennial

Pimpinella anisum

aniseed

A bushy annual to around 60cm high, with finely divided, fern-like green leaves that are aromatic when crushed. Broad, dome-shaped heads of tiny white flowers are produced in summer, followed by long pods of seeds which can be used as a spice in cooking

Other common names

amny
sweet cumin
see moreanise

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Plant nurseries
3 suppliers

Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Apiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Pimpinella can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous perennials with simple or pinnately divided leaves and branched umbels of tiny flowers
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in a sunny position in fertile, moist but well-drained loamy soil. Plants may need staking to keep seed pods off the ground (see staking: perennials)

Propagation

Propagate by seed, ideally sown in situ after risk of frosts has passed, as plants dislike transplanting and root disturbance. In areas where the season is not long enough for seeds to ripen, plants may be started under glass in individual pots, though it is best to sow extra to allow for losses in planting out

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails and mice

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and downy mildews

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