How to Grow Anise Basil
Wikimedia Commons
Anise Basil
Ocimum basilicum var. anisatum
herbAnise basil is a fragrant culinary herb with a distinctive licorice-like flavor and aroma, making it a unique variety of sweet basil. It produces delicate white or pale purple flowers and grows as a tender annual in most climates. The leaves are slightly narrower than common sweet basil and emit a strong anise scent when brushed or crushed.
When should you plant Anise Basil in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Anise Basil timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Anise Basil
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Anise Basil
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Anise Basil dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; grow as annual in cooler zones or indoors
Sign up free to see if Anise Basil grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Anise Basil timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge within 5-10 days; first true leaves develop within 1-2 weeks.
Keep soil warm (70-75°F) and consistently moist. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and establishes a bushy form with increasingly fragrant foliage.
Pinch off growing tips regularly to encourage branching. Maintain consistent moisture and nutrients. Begin harvesting leaves once plant has 6-8 true leaves.
Maturation
Ongoing throughout seasonPlant reaches full size and develops dense foliage with strong anise fragrance. Leaf production peaks.
Continue pinching flower buds to extend leaf production. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Remove any yellowing leaves.
Flowering
6-8 weeks (if allowed to flower)Small white or pale lavender flowers form in terminal spikes at stem tips. Flowers are edible and fragrant.
Pinch off flower buds to maintain leaf quality and extend harvest season. Allow some flowers if you want seeds or want to attract pollinators.
Decline/End of Season
Variable; until frost in cold climatesPlant slows growth in cooler weather or after extended flowering. Leaves may become less tender and aromatic.
In mild climates, cut back severely to rejuvenate. In frost-prone areas, harvest abundantly and dry or preserve leaves before first frost.
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick in early morning; use neem oil spray; encourage native predators like parasitic wasps
-
Increase humidity by misting; spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe
-
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs or lacewings
-
Use yellow sticky traps; spray undersides of leaves with neem oil; encourage natural predators
-
Remove affected leaves; use blue sticky traps; apply neem oil or spinosad spray
Uses
Licorice-Flavored Seasoning
CulinaryAnise basil adds a distinctive anise/licorice flavor to dishes, teas, beverages, and desserts. Fresh or dried leaves enhance Asian cuisine, seafood dishes, and herbal infusions. [source]
Digestive & Anti-inflammatory Support
MedicinalTraditional herbalism uses anise basil to support digestion, reduce bloating, and calm the digestive system. The anise aroma has been used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation. [source]
Herbal Tea & Beverages
CulinaryFresh or dried leaves brew into a fragrant, soothing tea with natural sweetness. Often blended with other herbs for licorice-flavored tea blends. [source]
Natural Fragrance & Aromatics
HouseholdThe strong anise aroma makes dried anise basil useful in potpourri, sachets, and dried arrangements. Fresh sprigs can freshen indoor spaces naturally. [source]
Garnish & Edible Flowers
CulinaryBoth leaves and pale purple flowers are edible and make attractive, aromatic garnishes for plates, cocktails, and desserts. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin pinching leaves once plant has 6-8 true leaves. Harvest regularly from the top to encourage bushier growth. Pinch off flower buds to prolong leaf production. For best flavor, harvest in early morning after dew dries. Cut stems just above a leaf node. Leaves are most fragrant and tender before flowering. Harvest up to one-third of the plant at a time to maintain vigor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Anise basil contains anethole, the same compound that gives fennel and licorice their distinctive flavor, despite being a completely different plant from anise (Pimpinella anisum).
- 🌱 In traditional Southeast Asian and Mediterranean cuisines, anise basil has been used for centuries in cooking and folk medicine, particularly valued in Thai and Italian households.
- 🌱 The plant's strong anise fragrance intensifies when leaves are brushed or crushed, releasing volatile essential oils that can be smelled from several feet away.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Anise Basil planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Anise Basil seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Anise Basil timeline →