Star anise

Illicium verum

Tree15×8 mzone 9–10full sun

Will it grow where I live?

Star anise is not winter-hardy in Central Europe (zone 9): outdoors from spring to autumn only, otherwise a container plant overwintered frost-free. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family: Schisandraceae
Habit: Tree
Height: 15 m
Spread: 8 m
Growth: medium
Lifespan: 80 years
First yield: after 6 years
Hardiness: zone 9–10
Shade tolerance: full sun
Soil: Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay
Soil moisture: dry – moist
pH: 5.5 – 6.5

evergreen

Uses

Medicinal3 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Star anise: how big does it get?

Star anise (Illicium verum) grows as a Tree and reaches roughly 15 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 8 m. Growth is medium.

Star anise: what site does it need?

Star anise tolerates full sun. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay. Soil moisture should be in the range dry – moist. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 6.5.

Star anise: is it hardy?

Star anise is listed as hardy in zone 9–10 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Star anise: will it grow in Central Europe?

Star anise: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Star anise. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Star anise: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Medicinal 3/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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