Seeds of Anise, aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) — 100 pcs
Anise from seed
Anise gives its sweet, liquorice-like flavour to Indian mukhwas, Mediterranean breads and liqueurs alike. In India it is sometimes called vilayati saunf, 'foreign fennel', to set it apart from the larger fennel seed. The plant is a delicate annual of the carrot family, with rounded lower leaves, feathery upper ones and lacy white umbels.
Height
60-90 cm
Leaf harvest
50-70 days
Seed harvest
100-120 days
Germination test
20/30 °C, counts on day 7 and 21
Ships from our partner warehouse in India: dispatch within 1 business day, delivery in 7-21 business days. Shipping €6.90, free from €69. See delivery details and the refund and return policy.
How to sow
- Anise has a taproot and resents late transplanting, so sow it where it will grow.
- Soaking the seed in aerated water for 24-36 hours, then drying it before sowing, has been shown to speed emergence.
- Sow in a shallow drill with a light cover once the soil is above 10 °C, and thin the seedlings early.
- Germination can be slow and uneven over two to three weeks.
Growing in Europe
Give anise the warmest, most sheltered and free-draining bed you have, with moderate watering. Plants reach 60-90 cm and can be cut for leaves after 50-70 days. For seed, allow 100-120 days, then cut the heads as they turn brown and dry, and let them finish ripening upside down in a paper bag.
Questions
Is anise the same as fennel or star anise?
No. Anise is Pimpinella anisum; fennel is Foeniculum vulgare and star anise comes from the Illicium tree.
Can anise be transplanted?
Poorly. It forms a taproot, so sow it direct or in deep cells and plant out young.
How long until anise seed is ready?
About 100-120 days from sowing; leaves can be picked from about 50-70 days.