Anise in one of a number of herbs that grow well in the cool season or “winter” garden in much of the Southwest.  Upper elevations like Reno, Santa Fe, and Flagstaff are the exception – sorry but you can’t grow them now, but the rest of us – in the lower elevations – can.

Cool Herbs

There are a number of herbs that come to use from northern areas of Europe, and they do not like it when it is hot out. Herbs that like the cool season include parsley, dill, cilantro, cumin, anise, fennel, and coriander. Wait – isn’t cilantro the same as coriander? Yep! Glad you are alert! Just two names for the same plant, and why I tend to prefer scientific names for accuracy. Anise is Pimpinella anisum. It is also called aniseed or rarely anix.

These cool season herbs I listed are  all in the carrot family, and that reminds me to tell you to add carrots to the list of cool season vegetable crops for our area.

Anise is Useful

The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices and herbs, such as star anise, fennel, liquorice, and tarragon. Anise is widely cultivated around the globe and used to flavor food, candy, and alcoholic drinks, especially around the Mediterranean.

Anise leaves can be used fresh in salads or as a flavoring in cooking.    Leaves may be used fresh or dried for a tasty herbal tea.    Seeds are harvested for culinary use and can be winnowed with a kitchen colander or strainer.    Anise is said to help digestion.

There are many uses for anise, and I recommend visiting Savor the Southwest for tips on using anise. But anise is not up there yet. Do sign up for my free Substack newsletter (link somewhere on this page) and I’ll let you know when the Savorists write something on how to use the herb. Besides, you do want to grow it first, so they have some time until it is ready to harvest.

Anise is also a good pollinator plant.  Butterflies love to land on the broad grouping of tiny blossoms (called an umbel, because it’s kind of like an umbrella).  The butterflies will then tiptoe around on top of the umbel, sipping here and there from the tiny individual flowers.

Growing Anise

Anise is native to the dry rocky soils of the eastern Mediterranean, and does well in the Southwest in the winter garden.

Plant.

Seeds should be planted late September to November, but anytime after the Equinox is fine to plant seedlings from the nursery.    In its homeland, anise grows after the start of their winter rains (the only rain they get).    Just be very gentle transplanting, anise is not fond of it’s roots being messed with.

Soil.

Plant in well-drained soil.    Either garden soil or in containers that are at least 18 inches deep.

Water.

Keep evenly moist for the best flavor and highest seed production.  Moist but not soaking wet.  Well-drained soil, remember?

 

Light.

Plants require at least six hours of winter sun, more is fine.

Fertilizer.

Like many herbs, fertilizer is not necessary, but if you desire ample seeds, a flowering fertilizer, high in phosphorous, helps.

Harvest Anise

You can cut anise leaves for use as soon as plants have more than about ten leaves on the plant.    You will have to wait until it flowers and seeds form to cut off the seed heads and dry them in a large paper bag.

More Herbs for our Region

The last few copies of this out-of-print award winning Southwestern book are now for sale. Father Kino’s Herbs: Growing and Using Them Today   The review says:

“Award-winning garden writer Dr. Jacqueline A. Soule has pulled together a fascinating book on the life of Father Eusebio Francisco Kino and some of the plants that he brought to Southern Arizona and northwestern Sonora, and area called the Pimeria Alta.”

This link is to our sales site. The profits from the sale go to the local Horticulture Therapy non-profit Tierra del Sol Institute.  We hope you will help support this great Southwest non-profit!

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Disclaimer

The authors of this website have researched the edibility of the materials we discuss, however, humans vary in their ability to tolerate different foods, drinks, and herbs. Individuals consuming flowers, plants, animals or derivatives mentioned in this blog do so entirely at their own risk. The authors on this site cannot be held responsible for any adverse reaction. In case of doubt please consult your medical practitioner.