Anise Basil

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Aromatic as a summer breeze, Anise Basil opens with a sweet, licorice-anise fragrance that lingers on the fingertips—then follows with a bright, gently peppery basil flavor.

Its leaves are lush and tender, forming an upright, bushy mound with a velvety texture that’s especially prized for fresh bouquets of flavor. Grow Anise Basil for standout use in herb-forward dishes, fragrant sauces, and aromatic garnishes where its distinctive anise note can shine.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Aug 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Anise Basil smells like licorice and tastes like basil with a clean, peppery snap—use it where the fragrance won’t get cooked flat. Tear or bruise at the last moment so the velvety leaves release their aromatics without turning bitter.

Best Uses

tear-and-stir into warm pasta or olive-oil slicks to keep the anise note intact
bruise for a quick herb syrup or finishing drizzle over fruit and pastries
chop finely for herb-forward pesto that leans aromatic rather than cheesy

Flavor Profile

sweet anise-licorice aromatics bright, gently peppery basil bite velvety tender leaves with light, fragrant oils

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil fennel parmesan white fish

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat downy mildew on anise basil?

Anise basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Anise’) is prone to downy mildew, which shows as pale yellow patches on the upper leaves and a gray-purple growth on the undersides. Remove and discard infected leaves early, improve airflow with wider plant spacing, and water only at the soil line (not on foliage). If it keeps spreading, treat with a labeled downy-mildew fungicide and repeat according to the label, focusing on leaf undersides.

How often should I water anise basil during peak growth?

During the main growing phase, keep the top 1 inch of soil consistently moist but not soggy—typically about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and wind. Water deeply in the morning, letting excess water drain so the root zone doesn’t stay wet overnight. If leaves wilt by midday and feel dry 1 inch down, increase frequency slightly; if the soil stays wet or plants look stunted, cut back.

When is anise basil ready to harvest?

Start harvesting around 60 days when plants are well branched and have several mature sets of leaves, usually after they reach about 8–12 inches tall. Pick when leaves are fully sized and fragrant—snip the top 2–6 inches of stems or pinch leaf pairs, leaving enough foliage for regrowth. For best flavor, harvest before flowering; once flower buds form, leaves become more bitter and aroma shifts.