Illicium

( ill - LISS - ee - um )

At-A-Glance Information

Illicium is also called Anise Tree or Star Anise, and includes species which need partial or full shade and ample water to perform well in the garden. This genus includes shrubs and small trees, and produce an anise scent when foliage is crushed or cut. Use these plants for their bold foliage and interesting flowers. Their natural habitat is moist, woodland understory areas. Use these aromatic plants in the landscape as privacy screens, dense hedges, foundation plantings, or in mixed beds and borders in woodland landscapes. Take care when planting Illicium shrubs in the landscape, as plant parts of most species are highly toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Illicium Species and Varietals

The genus Illicium includes about 40 species and is a member of the plant family Schisandraceae. The genus name Illicium is derived from the verb 'to allure' in Italian (illicere). The best zones for growing Illicium are USDA hardiness zones 6-10 or Sunset growing zones 4-9 and 14-24. See the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Illicium anisatum (Anise Shrub, Japanese Anise, Sacred Anise Tree, Shikimi)
This 6-10 feet tall, 6-8 foot wide shrub is native to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Glossy leaves and scentless flowers in clusters. Flowers start yellow-green and fade to creamy white. The wood is highly fragrant and is used for incense. This species is toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Illicium floridanum (Purple Anise, Star Anise, Stinkbush, Florida Anise, Florida Anise Tree)
These plants are native to the southern United States, and produces large, evergreen lance-shaped leaves that have a sweet odor when crushed. Flowers have a fish-like odor and are red. There are cultivars with white flowers. This species is toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Illicium henryi (Henry Anise Tree, Chinese Anise Tree)
This species forms a broad-leaved evergreen shrub or small tree that reaches between 6 and 23 feet tall when mature. Leaves are green and glossy above and pale underneath, and are highly scented when crushed. These plants are native to China. This species is toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Illicium mexicanum (Mexican Anise)
This shrub gets to 6-8 feet tall and wide and is native to Mexico. Medium green leaves with red stems and reddish-pink flowers produced in spring. Some repeat blooms occur through summer months. Cultivars include 'Aztec Fire' (to 5-8 feet tall), 'Woodland Ruby' (to 8 feet tall and wide), and 'Scorpio' (compact to 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide). This species is toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Illicium parviflorum (Yellow Anise, Yellow Anisetree, Swamp Star-Anise, Small Anise Tree)
Native to Florida, Georgia and grows slowly to 8-15 feet tall, with olive-green foliage and inconspicuous yellow flowers that bloom in summer. Leaves are fragrant and evergreen. Wood, flowers, and crushed leaves are all fragrant, and have a scent similar to black licorice. This species is toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Illicium verum (Star Anise, Chinese Star Anise, Star Anise Seed, Star Aniseed, Star of Anise)
These evergreen trees are native to south China and northeastern Vietnam. These plants are cultivated for use in cooking, perfumes, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams. Individual plants reach up to between 15 and 26 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide when mature in gardens. In the wild, these trees can reach up to 50 feet tall at maturity.

Caring for Illicium

Plant Illicium, or Anise Tree, in a space in the landscape that receives partial shade to full sun; in general, they appreciate between 4 and 8 hours of sun each day, but appreciate afternoon shade (especially in warm or dry climates). Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.0 and 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic). 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, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils, though they can also become somewhat drought-tolerant with age, getting by on rainwater alone for most of the year with supplemental waterings during the summer months. 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. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Illicium shrubs and trees are able to survive in the landscape for 50 years or more before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Illicium in Containers
Tree Anise plants are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Tree Anise plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Harvesting Illicium
Please note that the ONLY plant in the Illicium genus that has edible parts is Illicium verum, or Star Anise. DO NOT harvest or consume any plant parts from any other species. Star Anise is cultivated mainly in China and Vietnam, and is harvested twice a year, once in spring (for smaller pods) and once in fall (for larger, more aromatic pods). The seed pods, used whole, have a licorice-like flavor and are used to add deep aromatic warmth to savory and sweet dishes. They are removed prior to consumption, similar to Bay Leaves. Harvest seed pods when they have matured on the plant before they fully ripen and split. Use clean, sharp shears to sever the pods from the plant to avoid damaging the fruits. Spread harvested seed pods out on a screen or tray in a dark, well-ventilated area and allow them to dry for several days to two weeks. They are fully dry and ready to be stored when they turn reddish-brown and snap or rattle when shaken. Store them in an airtight glass container away from direct light and heat. They have a shelf life of between 2 and 3 years.

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

Illicium shrubs can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting 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 shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Illicium by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings 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.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip all but the top leaf off. Wrap the cut end of the cutting in a dry paper towel for 24 hours; this will dry it out.
Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Illicium 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 pods are easy to spot; they'll remain on the shrub after flowers fade and are shaped like little brown stars. The seeds are contained inside, and once the pods begin to open a bit, they can be taken off the shrub and placed in a paper bag. They will continue to open inside the bag, and once they've all been released, you can remove them and work with them.
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 3 months 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 55 and 70 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.

Illicium seed pods beginning to form on a shrub.

Illicium seeds are contained within star-shaped seed pods.

Problems and Pests

Illicium shrubs are generally resistant to pests and diseases. For information about commonly encountered pests and diseases in the garden, consult the following pages:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues