Anise in Zone 2a & 2b
Pimpinella anisum
Yes, anise grows in zones 2a and 2b. Plant it outside May 20–May 27.
When to plant anise in zone 2b
Zones 2a and 2b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 20–May 27 |
| Estimated harvest | Sep 27–Oct 4 (~130 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 2b
These go outside within two weeks of anise in zone 2b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BorageMay 20–May 27
- DillMay 13–May 20
- Chamomile (German)May 20–May 27
- CilantroMay 20–May 27
- Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley)May 20–May 27
- SaltwortMay 20–May 27
Anise is a licorice-flavored seed herb that needs a long season, at least 130 days, to mature its seed, so it's worth planting as early as the last frost allows rather than waiting.
How anise fits zone 2's season
Zone 2b's frost-free window runs about 104 days, from May 20 to September 1. Anise needs about 130 days from sowing to first harvest.
Anise planting windows in every zone
Zone 2b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b (your zone) | Not usually | May 20–May 27 | Sep 27–Oct 4 |
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | May 30–Jun 6 | Oct 7–Oct 14 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 15–May 22 | Sep 22–Sep 29 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 10–May 17 | Sep 17–Sep 24 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 25–May 2 | Sep 2–Sep 9 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Aug 18–Aug 25 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Aug 2–Aug 9 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 15–Feb 22 | Jun 25–Jul 2 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Jun 9–Jun 16 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Jan 1–Jan 8 | May 11–May 18 |
Harvest dates are about 130 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for anise.
Where to buy anise seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's anise seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing anise" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 2b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Anise in USDA zone 2b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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