Bunium

( BUN - ee - um )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes perennial herbaceous plant species that grow from underground storage roots, which are commonly cultivated around the world. These plants produce above-ground green foliage and stems, and in spring and summer dense inflorescences of small white flowers appear above the foliage. Use Bunium plants in rock gardens, pollinator gardens, or simply as members of cut flower or vegetable gardens.

Bunium Species and Varietals

The genus Bunium is a member of the plant family Apiaceae, and includes between 45 and 50 species. The best growing zones for Bunium plants are UDSA zones 4a-9b. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Bunium bulbocastanum (Great Pignut, Earthnut)
This species is native to western Europe, and reaches up to 2 feet tall. Plants spread to about 10 inches, and foliage is frilly and green. Flowers are white and pollinated by insects. The taproots are small and rounded, edible raw or cooked, and taste of sweet Chestnuts. Leaves can be used as an herb or garnish similar to Parsley.

Note: The historically-recognized species Bunium persicum is now known as Elwendia persica, also called Black Cumin, Blackseed, or Black Caraway.

Caring for Bunium

Bunium plants are commonly planted by seed, as seedlings and specimens are not typically available at nurseries. Choose a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade. Ideally, these plants like to get between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day; this will provide them with enough energy to create large cultivatable root systems. If grown in too much shade, tuber roots tend to be much smaller and plants do not flower as profusely. Ensure that soil is well-draining, moderately fertile and free from obstructions like hardpan layers or large rocks. They prefer that soil have a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Bunium plants require regular waterings to grow and perform well in the landscape, especially during active growth and blooming seasons in spring and summertime.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. If you are cultivating these plants for their underground storage roots, it is best to not allow plants to flower and set seed, as these activities pull resources away from the underground storage roots. Flowers can be deadheaded to clean up the look of plants and discourage re-seeding. If you will be collecting seeds later on for propagation, make sure to leave some flowering stems on plants to mature. These perennial plants go dormant during the cooler months of the year. If they are not being harvested, they can either be left in place over the winter, or in especially cool areas, be dug up and stored indoors in a cool, dark, dry place until spring. In other areas, they can simply be mulched over for extra insulation during cold weather. They will regrow from their underground storage roots the following springtime.

Harvesting Bunium
These useful garden plants produce many edible parts, including their roots, leaves, seeds and stems. The small, rounded taproot is edible raw or cooked, and is said to taste like sweet chestnuts. The best time of the year to harvest the roots is in late summer to early fall, when the foliage begins to yellow and die back. Working your way in from the exterior of the plant, carefully dig up roots. A garden fork can assist in avoiding damage to roots. Handle and store tubers gently to avoid bruising. They can be brushed of all excess dirt and debris outdoors, and then brought inside for rinsing. Store tubers in a cool, dry place until they are needed. Foliage and stems can be harvested at any time during the growing season, and have the best flavor and texture when they are young. They are used similarly to Parsley, and are edible raw or cooked.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Bunium, or Greater Pignut, can be propagated by division or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Greater Pignut plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Bunium by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Bunium by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Bunium seed heads form where flowers once bloomed.

Bunium seeds are small, crescent-shaped, and dark brown to almost black. They have a strong earthy, nutty flavor.

Problems and Pests

Bunium, or Pignut, plants are typically pest and disease free. For more information on commonly-encountered pests and diseases in the home garden, consult the pages linked below:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues