Anise

Pimpinella anisum

Herb
Annual
Grown from seed

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

seeds, leaves

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

not applicable

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No source we checked assesses this plant for pets, so the app makes no pet claim either way.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). To tell them apart: NC State lists Conium maculatum among plants anise is often confused with. NC State's anise page does not describe poison hemlock's hazard; University of Illinois Extension has a statement that poison hemlock can be dangerous or even deadly if eaten, even in very small amounts. Do not eat any carrot-family plant you cannot positively identify..

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is not star anise (Illicium verum), which is an unrelated tree whose fruit is also used as a spice; POWO lists both as separate species. Anise is also not anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), which has its own record..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Annual; no USDA zone given in our sources.
Mature size: Height 1.5-2 ft (University of Maryland). Spacing: University of Maryland: thin to 6-8 inches apart in rows 2 ft apart.
Where it comes from: Egypt and the Middle East (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon