How to Grow Anise

Anise is an herb that is used in salads, baking recipes and to flavor oils and liqueurs. As a medicinal herb, it is known to treat stomach aches. It tends to grow wild and can produce a large number of flowers. The ideal time to grow anise is in the early spring.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a spot with plenty of sunlight. The soil should be well drained.

2. Dig holes that are 1/4 inch deep. Cover the anise seed lightly with soil because the seeds are quite small.

3. Place anise at least 6 inches apart. Due to the large nature of the plant, your rows should be at least 2 or 3 feet apart.

4. Water the anise only a couple of times during the week. Anise actually does well in drier soil conditions and can be watered sparingly.

5. Remove the leaves as needed. As the plant grows you can remove as many leaves as you need for your recipes. Anise has a strong licorice flavor and adds a delicious flavor to cakes and cookies.

6. Extract the seeds from the flower heads. You can take the seeds out of the flower heads once they have dried and store them in a cool, dry place to be replanted next season.

Tips & Warnings

• Anise can only be grown as a seed. It is one herb that does not transplant well.
• Anise is an ideal herb to grow in a pot. As many as six seeds can be placed into a pot to allow at least two to survive.