Skip to content
GrowByCity
Spice Full Sun to Partial Shade Regular water

Star Anise

Written by the GrowByCity Editorial Team · Updated April 2026
2 min read

Tropical evergreen tree producing star-shaped spice pods. A warmth-loving plant that does best between 20°C and 30°C, star anise adapts well to tropical and subtropical conditions but cannot tolerate frost. It needs full sun to partial shade and regular watering to keep soil consistently moist — leaves are ready for picking in about 1825-2555 days. A kitchen essential that grows equally well on a sunny windowsill, a balcony pot, or a dedicated herb bed.

Harvest 1825-2555 days
Temp Range 10°C — 35°C

Quick Answer: How to Grow Star Anise

Star Anise takes 1825-2555 days to harvest. It grows best in 20–30°C with full sun to partial shade and regular watering. Star Anise is not frost tolerant — wait until after the last frost to plant. It can be grown in 350 cities worldwide.

Find the best time to plant Star Anise in your city →

Growing Requirements

☀️
Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
💧
Water
Regular
❄️
Frost
Sensitive
📅
Harvest
1825-2555 days

Temperature Range

20-30°C
-10°C 45°C
Optimal: 20–30°C Tolerates: 10–35°C
Tropical suitable: Yes
Cities growing: 350 of 350

Growing Tips

💡

Expert Tips

Very slow to produce. Tropical/subtropical only. Wait until soil warms to at least 20°C before transplanting outdoors — cold soil stunts growth and can invite root rot. Aim for about 2.5 cm of water per week, adjusting for rainfall. Organic mulch around the base helps maintain even moisture.

Quick Facts

  • Grows in 350 of 350 cities
  • Available in 7 regions worldwide
  • Temperature range: 10°C to 35°C
  • Optimal growing: 20°C to 30°C
  • Harvest in 1825-2555 days

Did You Know?

  • 🌱 Star Anise loves the heat! It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates year-round.

Step-by-Step Growing Guide

Star anise (Illicium verum) is a slow-growing tropical to subtropical evergreen tree native to southern China and Vietnam, requiring consistently warm, humid conditions (minimum 10°C year-round) with no frost tolerance. It prefers fertile, humus-rich, well-drained but moisture-retentive, acidic soil at pH 4.5–6.0 — quite different from the neutral-alkaline soils preferred by many fruiting trees. Plant in partial shade in hot climates (it grows as an understory tree in its native habitat) or full sun in cooler subtropical conditions. Provide generous organic matter — work in large quantities of compost at planting and mulch thickly year-round. Water regularly and consistently; star anise does not tolerate drought. In humid tropical regions, rainfall is typically sufficient once trees are established. Feed with a balanced, slightly acidic fertilizer (such as a camellia or azalea formula) every 3 months during the growing season. Trees begin producing the distinctive eight-pointed spice pods only after 5–6 years from seed, and do not reach full production for 15+ years — it is a genuine long-term garden investment. The tree is highly ornamental with glossy leaves and attractive white flowers.

Common Pests & Problems

Root rot in poorly drained or compacted soils is the primary killer of star anise — improve drainage with deep organic matter incorporation and plant on a slight slope or raised area. Scale insects can establish on the bark and branches of container-grown specimens in particular; apply horticultural oil at dormant season or use a systemic insecticide for severe infestations. Phytophthora foot rot affects trees planted too deeply or in waterlogged conditions, causing bark decay at the soil line; avoid burying the trunk and ensure the crown remains above soil level. In marginal climates (subtropical zone 9), cold damage to young leaves and branch tips can occur in unusual cold snaps — protect with horticultural fleece and plant against a warm wall.

Harvest & Storage

Star anise fruits (the distinctive eight-pointed pods) are harvested just before fully ripe, when they are still green but the essential oil content is at its peak — before the pods begin to open and release seeds. Ripe or nearly ripe fruits are bright green turning yellowish; harvesting at the fully ripe, open stage reduces oil content significantly. Sun-dry harvested fruits on trays for 3–5 days until they turn the characteristic rust-brown and become hard and brittle. Store whole dried pods in an airtight glass container away from light — whole star anise retains full flavor for 2–3 years. Ground star anise loses potency within 6–12 months. The key aroma compound (trans-anethole) is the same as in anise seed and fennel, but at much higher concentrations.

Popular Varieties

True star anise (Illicium verum) has no widely cultivated named horticultural varieties. Trees are typically grown from seed of locally adapted populations. There is an important safety note: Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is a related species that is highly toxic and must not be confused with the culinary species — I. anisatum has a turpentine-like smell rather than the sweet anise scent of I. verum, and produces 10-pointed (not 8-pointed) pods that are irregularly shaped. Always source star anise spice from verified culinary suppliers. In specialty botanical gardens and arboreta, I. verum collections from Guangxi and Yunnan provinces of China and from northern Vietnam are recognized as the finest flavor genotypes.

Where to Grow Star Anise

Star Anise can be grown in 350 cities across 7 regions worldwide

🌍

Europe

80 cities
🌏

Asia

79 cities
🌎

North America

78 cities
🌍

Africa

39 cities
🌎

South America

39 cities
🌊

Oceania

19 cities
🕌

Middle East

16 cities

🌍 Europe (80 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Aarhus, DK hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Amsterdam, NL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ankara, TR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Antalya, TR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Athens, GR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Barcelona, ES hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bari, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Belgrade, RS hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bergen, NO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Berlin, DE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bilbao, ES hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bologna, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bordeaux, FR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bratislava, SK hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Brussels, BE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bucharest, RO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Budapest, HU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Catania, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cologne, DE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Copenhagen, DK hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Corfu, GR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cork, IE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dublin, IE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dubrovnik, HR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Edinburgh, GB hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Florence, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Frankfurt, DE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Gdansk, PL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Genoa, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Glasgow, GB hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Gothenburg, SE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hamburg, DE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Helsinki, FI hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Heraklion, GR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Istanbul, TR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Izmir, TR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Krakow, PL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kyiv, UA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Limassol, CY hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lisbon, PT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ljubljana, SI hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
London, GB hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lyon, FR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Madrid, ES hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Malaga, ES hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Marseille, FR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Milan, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Munich, DE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Naples, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nice, FR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nicosia, CY hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Oslo, NO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Palermo, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Paris, FR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Porto, PT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Poznan, PL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Prague, CZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Reykjavik, IS hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Riga, LV hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Rome, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Seville, ES hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sofia, BG hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Split, HR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Stockholm, SE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Strasbourg, FR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Stuttgart, DE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tallinn, EE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Thessaloniki, GR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tirana, AL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Toulouse, FR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Turin, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Turku, FI hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Valencia, ES hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Valletta, MT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Verona, IT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Vienna, AT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Vilnius, LT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Warsaw, PL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Zagreb, HR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Zurich, CH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓

🌏 Asia (79 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Ahmedabad, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Almaty, KZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bali, ID hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bandung, ID hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bangalore, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bangkok, TH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Beijing, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Busan, KR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cebu, PH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chandigarh, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chengdu, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chennai, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chiang Mai, TH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chittagong, BD hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chongqing, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Coimbatore, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Colombo, LK hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Da Nang, VN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dalian, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Davao, PH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Delhi, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dhaka, BD hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dharan, NP hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Fukuoka, JP hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Galle, LK hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Guangzhou, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hangzhou, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hanoi, VN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Harbin, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ho Chi Minh City, VN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hong Kong, HK hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hyderabad, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Incheon, KR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Indore, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Islamabad, PK hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Jaipur, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Jakarta, ID hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Jeju, KR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Johor Bahru, MY hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Karachi, PK hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kathmandu, NP hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kochi, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kolkata, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kuala Lumpur, MY hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kunming, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kyoto, JP hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lahore, PK hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lucknow, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Manila, PH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Mumbai, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nagoya, JP hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nanjing, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nha Trang, VN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Okinawa, JP hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Osaka, JP hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Pattaya, TH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Penang, MY hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Phnom Penh, KH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Pune, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sapporo, JP hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Seoul, KR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Shanghai, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Shenzhen, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Siem Reap, KH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Singapore, SG hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Surabaya, ID hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Surat, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Taipei, TW hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tashkent, UZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tbilisi, GE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tokyo, JP hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ulaanbaatar, MN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Varanasi, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Vientiane, LA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Visakhapatnam, IN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Wuhan, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Xi'an, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Xiamen, CN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Yangon, MM hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

🌎 North America (78 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Albuquerque, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Anchorage, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Atlanta, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Austin, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Baltimore, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Baton Rouge, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Boise, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Boston, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bridgetown, BB hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Buffalo, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Calgary, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cancun, MX hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Charleston, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Charlotte, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chattanooga, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chicago, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Denver, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Des Moines, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Detroit, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Edmonton, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
El Paso, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Fargo, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Fresno, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Guadalajara, MX hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Halifax, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hartford, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Havana, CU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Honolulu, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Houston, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Jacksonville, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kansas City, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kingston, JM hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Knoxville, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Las Vegas, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Little Rock, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Los Angeles, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Louisville, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lubbock, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Madison, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Memphis, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Mexico City, MX hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Miami, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Milwaukee, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Minneapolis, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Monterrey, MX hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Montreal, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nashville, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
New Orleans, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
New York, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Oaxaca, MX hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Oklahoma City, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Omaha, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ottawa, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Panama City, PA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Phoenix, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Pittsburgh, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Portland, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Puebla, MX hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Quebec City, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Raleigh, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Richmond, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sacramento, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Salt Lake City, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
San Diego, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
San Francisco, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
San Jose, CR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Santo Domingo, DO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Saskatoon, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Savannah, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Seattle, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Spokane, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
St. Louis, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tampa, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Toronto, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tucson, US hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Vancouver, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Victoria, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Winnipeg, CA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓

🌍 Africa (39 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Abidjan, CI hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Accra, GH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Addis Ababa, ET hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Algiers, DZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Antananarivo, MG hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Arusha, TZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bamako, ML hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bloemfontein, ZA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cairo, EG hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cape Town, ZA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Casablanca, MA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dakar, SN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dar es Salaam, TZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Douala, CM hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Durban, ZA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Entebbe, UG hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Fez, MA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Freetown, SL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Harare, ZW hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Johannesburg, ZA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kampala, UG hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kigali, RW hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kinshasa, CD hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lagos, NG hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Libreville, GA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lilongwe, MW hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lome, TG hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Luanda, AO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lusaka, ZM hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Maputo, MZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Marrakech, MA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Mombasa, KE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nairobi, KE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ouagadougou, BF hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Port Louis, MU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Pretoria, ZA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tunis, TN hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Windhoek, NA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Zanzibar, TZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

🌎 South America (39 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Arequipa, PE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Asuncion, PY hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Barranquilla, CO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Belem, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bogota, CO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Brasilia, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Buenos Aires, AR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cali, CO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Campinas, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Caracas, VE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cartagena, CO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Concepcion, CL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cordoba, AR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Curitiba, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cusco, PE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Fortaleza, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Georgetown, GY hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Goiania, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Guayaquil, EC hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
La Paz, BO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lima, PE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Manaus, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Medellin, CO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Mendoza, AR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Montevideo, UY hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Paramaribo, SR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Port of Spain, TT hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Porto Alegre, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Quito, EC hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Recife, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Rio de Janeiro, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Rosario, AR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Salvador, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Santa Cruz, BO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Santiago, CL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sao Paulo, BR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sucre, BO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Trujillo, PE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Valparaiso, CL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓

🌊 Oceania (19 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Adelaide, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Alice Springs, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Auckland, NZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Brisbane, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Cairns, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Canberra, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
Christchurch, NZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Darwin, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dunedin, NZ hard
✓
✓
✓
Gold Coast, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hamilton, NZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hobart, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Melbourne, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Noumea, NC hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Perth, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Suva, FJ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sydney, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Townsville, AU hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Wellington, NZ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓

🕌 Middle East (16 cities)

City Level JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Abu Dhabi, AE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Amman, JO hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Baghdad, IQ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Beirut, LB hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Doha, QA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dubai, AE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Erbil, IQ hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Jeddah, SA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Kuwait City, KW hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Manama, BH hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Muscat, OM hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Riyadh, SA hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sana'a, YE hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tabriz, IR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tehran, IR hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tel Aviv, IL hard
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

When should I plant star anise in my city?

The best time to plant star anise depends on your local climate zone. It thrives in temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. Wait until after the last frost in your area. Check your city's planting calendar on GrowByCity for exact dates.

Can I grow star anise in winter?

Star Anise is not frost tolerant and cannot survive winter outdoors in most temperate climates. In tropical areas (USDA Zones 10+), it may grow year-round.

Get Star Anise Seeds & Plants

Ready to start growing? Find Star Anise seeds and starter plants online.

Shop on Burpee Search on Amazon

People Also Search For

how to grow star anisestar anise growing tipsbest soil for star anisestar anise planting seasonstar anise companion plantsstar anise pests and diseases

Similar Growing Requirements

🌻

Jasmine

Flower · Full Sun to Partial Shade

18-28°C
🌿

Bamboo

Herb · Full Sun to Partial Shade

18-30°C
🌿

Lemon Balm

Herb · Full Sun to Partial Shade

12-22°C
🌿

Bay Laurel

Herb · Full Sun to Partial Shade

15-28°C
🌿

Catnip

Herb · Full Sun to Partial Shade

12-24°C
🌶️

Cayenne Pepper

Spice · Full Sun

22-32°C

Frequently Asked Questions about Star Anise

When should I plant star anise?

The best time to plant star anise depends on your local climate. Star Anise grows best in temperatures between 20°C and 30°C (can tolerate 10°C to 35°C). Star Anise is not frost tolerant, so wait until after the last frost in your area. Check your city's planting calendar on GrowByCity for exact planting months.

Can star anise grow in tropical climates?

Yes! Star Anise can grow in tropical climates. It's successfully grown in tropical cities like Abidjan, Abu Dhabi, Accra. Star Anise requires full sun to partial shade and regular watering.

How long does star anise take to grow?

Star Anise typically takes 1825-2555 days from planting to harvest. It requires full sun to partial shade and regular watering. Very slow to produce. Tropical/subtropical only. Wait until soil warms to at least 20°C before transplanting outdoors — cold soil stunts growth and can invite root rot. Aim for about 2.5 cm of water per week, adjusting for rainfall. Organic mulch around the base helps maintain even moisture.

Find the Best Time to Plant Star Anise

See the planting calendar for Star Anise in these popular cities:

London, GBMumbai, INNew York, USParis, FRSingapore, SGSydney, AUTokyo, JPToronto, CA

Last updated: March 2026 · Climate data from NOAA, FAO, USDA

Share: X Facebook Pinterest WhatsApp
See an error? Report it