How to Grow, Harvest, and Use a Star Anise Plant

Dec 02, 2024

Star Anise How to Grow, Harvest, and Use

Often found in baked goods, mulling spices, herbal teas, and more, star anise is a versatile and fragrant plant used for centuries in herbalism and cooking. And while you can find it in the supermarket, growing, caring, and harvesting a star anise plant yourself is so much more rewarding.

Star anise plants are relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in various conditions, making them a great choice for home gardeners, beginners, and beyond. Once you harvest them, you can dry or dehydrate the star-shaped fruit (yes, it is indeed a fruit!) for medicine or in the kitchen.

Learn how to grow a star anise plant from seed to harvest with our comprehensive guide! Discover tips on star anise planting and growing a star anise plant, including optimal soil conditions, sunlight requirements, and watering techniques. Explore the many uses of star anise to take advantage of its medicinal properties. From planting seeds to making your own herbal remedies, we'll cover it all!

The Legal Stuff

This blog is provided by St. Fiacre's Farm LLC for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, and you should always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any medical questions or concerns. Please note that we may earn a small commission on any purchases you make through our affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Why Grow Your Own Herbs and Medicinal Plants

We may be biased, but we believe that growing your own herbs and medicinal plants offers so many benefits — for your health and well-being as well as for God’s green earth! Our top reasons for growing a star anise plant and other medicinal herbs:

Fresh and pure: When you grow your own, you can be sure your plants are free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
Nutrient-rich: Fresh herbs are often much more packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can boost your immune system compared to store-bought.
Cost-effective: Growing your own herbs and plants can save you money in the long run, especially if you use them a lot.
Pollinator support: We love our bees and are always looking for more ways to support them. Many herbs attract pollinators like bees and butterflies!
Connection to nature: Growing plants can help you connect with everything our Creator made for us.
Sense of accomplishment: Watching your plants grow and thrive can be incredibly rewarding, and it’s such a fun project to get your littles involved in too.
It’s called the “joy of gardening” for a reason!

What is a Star Anise Plant?

Star anise, known as Illicium verum, is an evergreen shrub native to Southeast Asia. Its most recognizable feature is its star-shaped fruit, chock-full of seeds. While it’s often used as a culinary spice once dried, it’s also been valued for centuries in herbal medicine for its potential health benefits!

And while it does taste great, we’re mostly interested in the medicinal properties of star anise plants. Here are some of the key herbal benefits:

Digestive health: Star anise can help alleviate digestive issues like bloating, gas, and indigestion.
Respiratory health: It can soothe coughs, colds, and congestion.
Pain relief: Some studies suggest that star anise may also have pain-relieving properties.
Antioxidant: It contains antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage.
Antimicrobial: Star anise has been used to combat various infections.

Star Anise Safety

We often reference the American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook when it comes to determining any risks associated with a given herb, spice, or plant. It’s important to note that they highlight a significant safety concern related to star anise: the potential to confuse it with its toxic counterpart, the Japanese star anise plant (Illicium anisatum).

While true star anise is generally safe to use, Japanese star anise contains toxic compounds that can lead to serious health issues, especially in infants. The AHPA recommends caution when using star anise, especially in tea form. As such, if growing a star anise plant yourself isn’t an option, always, always, always source it from reputable suppliers.

And as usual, consult your preferred healthcare professional before using star anise, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are a pregnant or nursing mama!

Growing a Star Anise Plant

Growing a star anise plant requires a bit of patience, but the effort is well worth it! These plants thrive in warm, humid climates with plenty of moisture and typically prefer partial shade, especially in hot and sunny regions. When planting star anise, choose a location that gets dappled sun, like under a large tree or a shaded corner of your garden. If you're in USDA zones 8-11, outdoor planting is ideal, as the plant thrives year-round in warmer climates (zones 9-11) but requires frost protection in zone 8.

If you're in a cooler zone or have concerns about winter frost, consider planting in a pot so you can bring the plant indoors during the colder months. For potted plants, use a container with good drainage and a rich, well-draining, and slightly acidic soil mix, such as a combination of potting soil and compost. In either case, ensure the soil stays hydrated and moist but not waterlogged, as overwatering can lead to root rot.

Starting Seeds Indoors vs. In the Garden Outside

While you can start star anise seeds directly outdoors in warm climates, starting them indoors will give you better control over the germination process, especially if you live in a colder region. Germination typically takes 3-4 weeks, so starting indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost is ideal.

To start your seeds indoors:

Source high-quality star anise seeds from a reputable (and local if you can!) supplier.
Fill small pots with a well-draining potting mix.
Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep and cover them lightly with soil.
Place the pots in a warm and humid location with indirect sunlight.
Keep the soil consistently hydrated, but don’t overwater.

Then plant outdoors:

Select a spot with partial shade and well-draining soil.
Dig a hole and mix in compost or manure to improve the soil.
Gently transfer the seedlings to the prepared hole, ensuring they are planted at the same depth as they were in the pot.
Water the newly planted seedlings to settle the soil around the roots.

It’s important to be patient when it comes to star anise planting! It can take several years for your plant to mature and produce fruit.

Harvesting, Drying, and Using Star Anise

When your star anise plant is ready to harvest, it’s time to reap the rewards. There is plenty to learn, especially if you’ve never grown this versatile plant before.

Harvesting

The best time to harvest star anise is when the fruits turn a deep and rich brown color. This usually happens in late autumn or early winter. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Use a pair of sharp garden shears to carefully cut the star-shaped fruits from the branches.
Make sure the fruits are fully ripe and firm.
Be gentle and avoid bruising the fruits.

Drying

Proper drying is essential for preserving the flavor and medicinal properties of star anise. There are a few methods you can use: air drying, oven drying, or in a dehydrator.

To air dry, find a warm, dry, and well-ventilated location, such as a kitchen counter or a dehydrator. Lay the fruits out on a wire rack or another clean surface to dry out. Check on them daily until they become completely dry and brittle — air drying can take up to a week, depending on how humid it is where you live.

To dry in the oven, set it to the lowest temperature setting, usually around 150 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper then place the fruit on it in a single layer. Leave in the preheated oven for about 4 to 8 hours, or until completely dry. Check on them periodically to ensure they don’t burn.

To use a dehydrator, set it to the lowest temperature setting. Arrange the fruit on the dehydrator trays, making sure they don’t overlap. Dehydrate for anywhere between 6 to 12 hours or until dry and brittle.

Using Star Anise

Once your star anise is dried, it’s ready to use! In the kitchen, it can be added to dishes like soups, stews, or marinades for a warm and sweet flavor. You could steep the dried fruit in hot water to create a comforting herbal tea, or you could add it to a homemade tea blend. You can even experiment and use it in a unique spice blend along with cinnamon, cloves, and fennel seeds to create your own mulling spices or chai spice blends, to name a few.

For medicinal uses, star anise tea may help soothe digestive issues like bloating and aid in relaxation. Its antimicrobial properties could also help boost immunity and relieve coughs, colds, and congestion.

Star Anise Planting Frequently Asked Questions

Is star anise easy to grow?

Star Anise is generally considered easy to grow, as the seeds can be sown directly into your garden bed, but it does require specific conditions, including partial shade, well-draining soil, and consistent moisture. It is often slower-growing, especially in colder climates. For gardeners in USDA zones 8-11, outdoor planting is ideal, as the plant thrives year-round in warmer zones (9-11) but needs frost protection in zone 8. If you're in a cooler zone or live in an area with harsh winters, consider planting star anise in a pot. This allows you to bring the plant indoors during colder months. With patience and the right conditions, growing star anise can be a rewarding experience!

Does Star Anise come back every year?

Yes! Star anise is a perennial plant, meaning it will come back year after year. However, it’s important to note that it may take several years for a young star anise plant to mature and produce fruit. Patience is key.

How do you grow star anise in pots?

To grow your Star Anise in a pot, make sure to choose a container that’s at least 12 inches deep with drainage holes. Fill it with a well-draining potting mix, and then plant your seedlings without digging too deep. Place the pot somewhere with partial shade and water it regularly, but allow the soil to dry in between each watering so it doesn’t get soggy. As a note, growing star anise in pots can be a bit slower.

Spicing Up Life with This Unique Herb

Star Anise is a great addition not just to your garden but also a great herb to have access to for the home apothecary! We use star anise here at the farm, mostly in teas that soothe colds and congestion and aid in a cough. It is also a great adaptogenic herb to have on hand to boost overall health. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener with a passion for herbalism or are just starting out, you can enjoy the health benefits and grow your own.

If you would love to add this Star Anise information to your monograph book make sure to checkout our free template here to fill out and save for later - it's printable!

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