Anise Seeds Seeds Piccolo Seeds
Anise Seeds — Default Title
Anise Seeds Seeds Piccolo Seeds

Anise Seeds

£2.99

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

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Description

Anise is the plant behind aniseed, and growing it gives you the sweet, liquorice-scented seed fresh from the head rather than from a jar. Pimpinella anisum is a slender Mediterranean annual with rounded lower leaves and finely cut upper ones, topped in midsummer by lacy white umbels that bees and butterflies visit. The seeds flavour breads, biscuits and cakes and make a warming herbal tea, and a few young leaves can be chopped into salads.

Sowing and growing

  • Sow outdoors where it is to grow in late April or May, once the soil has warmed and frost has passed. It dislikes root disturbance, so avoid transplanting.
  • Sow about 0.5 to 1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 20 cm apart.
  • Germination takes 10 to 20 days and can be uneven in cool soil.
  • Full sun in a sheltered spot, in light, well-drained soil. Taller plants may need a short stake.
  • Grows to about 45 to 60 cm tall.
  • Flowers in midsummer; seed is ready from late summer into early autumn, around 120 days from sowing, when it turns brown.
  • Half-hardy annual that needs a warm summer to ripen its seed well.

What you receive: a packet of about 120 seeds from Piccolo Seeds, with growing instructions on the back.

Browse our full range of herb and flower seeds, add more plants for pollinators, or explore our exotic edibles.

Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

Changed your mind? See our Return Policy.

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In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I sow anise seeds?

Sow outdoors in late April or May, once the soil is warm and there is no more risk of frost. Anise resents being moved, so sow it in the spot or pot where it will grow and thin the seedlings rather than transplanting them.

Is anise the same as star anise or fennel?

No. Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is a small annual herb in the carrot family, while star anise comes from the seed pods of an evergreen tree, Illicium verum. Fennel is a separate plant with a similar flavour. Anise is the source of true aniseed.

How do I harvest anise seed?

When the seeds turn brown and come away easily, cut the flower heads with a length of stem. Hang them upside down in a paper bag somewhere warm, dry and shady, and the seed will drop into the bag as it dries.

What is your returns policy?

We always aim to make sure our customers love our products, but if you do need to return an order within 14 days of purchase (not including plants*), or any items are damaged, we’re happy to help. Just email us directly at hello@growtropicals.com, and we’ll take you through the process. 

Please note: we cannot be held liable for any packaging costs should the original packaging be discarded.

*Unfortunately we cannot accept returns of undamaged plants as these are perishable items and are not saleable upon return. If a plant is damaged, we will compensate for this as per our live arrival guarantee.

When will my order arrive and how much is shipping?

When placing your order, you can choose from three dispatch speeds to suit your needs: Economy (prepared and shipped within 4-5 days), Standard (3-5 days), or Express (dispatched the very next day). Please keep in mind that "dispatch" refers to the time it takes our team to prepare and pack your items before handing them over to the courier, not the total delivery time.

Shipping costs are based on your total order value and will be calculated at checkout, with free shipping automatically applied to all orders over £60. For a full breakdown of shipping prices see our Help Centre.

Additionally, to protect the health and quality of our live plants, orders containing plants are exclusively shipped Monday through Thursday. This careful scheduling prevents your plants from being stuck in a dark shipping depot over the weekend, ensuring they arrive at your door vibrant and healthy.

Why Grow Tropicals

Plants delivered the way they deserve

Packaged with Care

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

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