Guide to growing Aniseed - Pimpinella
Pimpinella is a genus of hardy annual herbs that reach from 45 to 90cm in height.
Some common names for Pimpinella include Aniseed and Anise. Latin names include pimpinella anisum, pimpinella major rosea, pimpinella saxifraga
Aniseed blooms in the summer with umbels of tiny white flowers and are converted for their seeds; these should be harvested once they begin to turn gray and loosen easily from their coats.
How to grow Aniseed
The seeds of Aniseed should be sown at a depth of 6mm following the last frost of spring. They prefer an ordinary soil that is slightly acidic, about pH 5.5 to 6.5, the soil should have good drainage. It is best to grow Aniseed in a sunny area of the garden, and to space them at about 15cm apart; this will allow the aniseed plants to support each other and make the harvesting of aniseeds less hassle.
If starting off Aniseed indoors then grow them about two months in advance. The seeds should take about 4 weeks to germinate at around 20 degrees centigrade. Once ready transplant the Aniseed outdoors in mid-spring when there is no chance of a frost.
Caring for Aniseed - Pimpinella
Aniseed and other Pimpinella have gangly growth so keep them close together or stake them. They should be watered during prolonged dry spells and not transplanted once established.