White flowers of anise plants.

Anise

Imagine having the sweet aroma of anise drifting through your garden – that’s what you get when you grow these tantalizing plants! Anise is a popular herb sought after for its unique licorice flavor and fragrant aroma. Not only does it taste great in cooking, but it has been widely recognized to have numerous health benefits as well. And the white flowers can be quite showy and work well in cottage style gardens. Use our guides down below to learn how to plant, grow, and harvest your own anise.

How to Use Anise as a Spice

A close up horizontal image of a pile of anise (Pimpinella anisum) seeds on a wooden surface.

Anise is more than a decorative annual herb. It heats up the palate with a warm black licorice flavor. This article covers all the culinary secrets of anise including history, where to buy, harvesting, and storing. Learn about the flavor profile, which foods and spices to pair it with, and some fun recipes to try.

How to Use Anise as Herbal Medicine

A closeup horizontal image of a sunlight-dappled bed of anise seeds, with a wooden spoon full of the seeds to the right.

Explore the many benefits of anise as an herbal medicine. Learn about its traditional and modern uses and prepare your own remedies. Whether you’re looking to ease digestive issues, relieve coughs and colds, promote relaxation, and more, anise offers a versatile and natural way to support your well-being.

How to Use Anise as a Pest Repellent

A close up horizontal image of anise growing in the garden pictured in light sunshine on a soft focus background.

If you’re looking for a multipurpose garden superstar, check out aniseed. This pretty plant attracts many of the beneficial pests we love and repels a lot of the bad ones. For instance, bad nematodes and common aphids can’t stand anise. Bees and butterflies adore it. Learn all about companion planting with anise now.

How to Plant and Grow Anise

A close up horizontal image of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) growing in the garden.

Anise is versatile in the kitchen, and you can use both the leaves and the seeds in a variety of recipes. It’s also valuable in the garden, attracting beneficial insects and driving away the bad ones. This guide has all the details you need to succeed at growing this uncommon, unfussy, totally wonderful herb.