About
Carum carvi is a biennial plant that grows upright, featuring aromatic leaves that are 2- to 3-pinnate and segmented into narrow strips. During the summer, it produces clusters of small white flowers, which are succeeded by fruits that have a strong aroma.
About the genus
Carum consists of biennial or perennial plants characterized by a taproot system, featuring finely dissected foliage and small white flowers arranged in umbels. These flowers are succeeded by aromatic seeds.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial, Herbs - Culinary
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- temp. Europe, Asia
- Fragrance
- Foliage, Fruit
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in light, fertile well-drained soil in full sun; will tolerate heavier soils. Dislikes transplanting
- Pruning
- Leave to set seed
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, transplant seedlings when small to avoid bolting
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free