How to Plant and Grow Florida Anise

If you haven’t heard of Florida anise (Illicium floridanum), you probably will soon. Although native to the southeastern United States and northern Mexico, it is relatively new to the nursery trade. This large, multi-stemmed shrub has many interesting features, including anise-scented evergreen leaves and unusual spring flowers in red, pink, or white. The flowers are followed by equally interesting star-shaped fruits. It has no serious pests or diseases, and if you provide the right location, it is easy to grow.

The limiting factors for growing this beautiful shrub are that it prefers some shade (full or partial) and only grows in USDA zones 7-10. However, it is an excellent shrub for those whose gardens qualify. This guide explains how to grow Florida anise and grow it in your garden.

Where can you grow Florida Anise?

In its native habitat, it grows wild in shaded stream beds, sapwoods, or moist woodlands. Although it is hardy to 7 to 10, it can be grown in zone 6 with a thick layer of mulch and some protection from winter winds. This shrub spreads by suckers and will grow naturally in a moist, shady location if allowed. If its spread is undesirable, it is easy to remove once it appears. It is an excellent choice for mixed shrub borders, mass plantings, along ponds, as a garden specimen, or for hedging. Because it grows in moist soil, it is suitable for growing in a rain garden.

How and When to Plant Florida Anise

The best time to plant this evergreen shrub is in early spring or fall. After selecting a suitable site, dig a hole that is two to three times as wide as the container in which the shrub is growing and the same depth as the container. If the original soil is sandy or heavy clay, add some compost or other organic matter. Remove the Florida Anise from the nursery pot and loosen the roots around the surface of the root ball. If the roots are rooted, spray or soak the root ball in water to wash away some of the soil so you can loosen the roots.

Place the root ball in the prepared hole. The top of the root ball should be at or slightly above soil level. Fill the planting hole with the soil you removed (plus compost if you added it) and press it down firmly as you do so. When the hole is half full, soak the roots with water. Continue filling until you reach the top of the root ball. To direct rainwater to the roots, create a berm around the planting hole. Water the shrub well and then place a layer of mulch around the planting area, keeping it a few inches away from the stems.

Florida Anise Care Tips

While no living plant is care-free, Florida fennel comes close as long as you plant it where the soil and light conditions are right. Its natural shape is beautiful, but it can be pruned to control its size or cut back as a more formal hedge. It produces suckers, but they are easy to remove if you don’t want it to spread.

Light

Florida anise prefers shade. It grows in dense shade, dappled shade, or part-day shade (less than six hours). A combination of morning sun and afternoon shade works well.

Soil and Water

Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil is best for growing Florida anise. It grows well near water—along the banks of a stream or pond. If your soil is sandy or has a lot of clay, mix in some compost or other organic matter at planting time.

Water Florida anise well when first planted and regularly during its first growing season if rainfall is insufficient. Keep in mind that occasional deep watering is more beneficial than frequent shallow watering. Once established, it can tolerate short periods of drought, but don’t let it dry out for too long. If its leaves start to drop, it probably needs watering. Mulching the soil surface helps keep the soil moist.

Temperature and Humidity

Florida anise is reliably hardy in zones 7 through 10. With some protection, it can grow in zone 6. Choose a location that protects the shrub from harsh winter winds, and cover it with 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch (pine needles or wood chips work well) with moderate fluctuations in soil temperature. Humidity is not a problem for Florida anise.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is not needed at planting time, especially if you amend the soil with compost. After its first year, slowly add fertilizer to the soil under the shrub each year in late winter or early spring. A fertilizer suitable for acid-loving plants, applied according to the package directions, is ideal.

Pruning

While Florida anise does not require pruning—its natural shape is pleasing—it responds well to pruning if you want to limit its size or shape it into a hedge or formal tree. Broken branches can and should be removed at any time. Late winter, before new growth begins, is the best time to do heavy pruning. When reducing size, cut off a side branch or bud. To create a tree shape, wait until the shrub is at least 5 feet tall. Remove one or two lower branches at a time and backtrack to see the effect. Continue removing lower branches until you are happy with the shape. You may need to remove a few branches each year to maintain the tree shape.

Planting and Replanting Florida Anise

Florida anise can be grown in a container, but you will need a thick container for this large shrub. Choose a container that will be suitable for the plant for at least two years before it needs to be transplanted to a larger pot. Make sure the pot has good drainage holes - poor drainage can lead to root rot. Use high-quality potting soil and keep it evenly moist. A layer of mulch helps prevent the soil from drying out.

Pests and Problems

Florida anise is not affected by any major pests or diseases. Its fragrant leaves repel many insects and deer. Too much sun can cause discoloration and scorch of the leaves, and prolonged periods of drought can kill the plant.

How to Propagate Anise

Florida anise can be grown from seed, which does not require pre-treatment to germinate. It can also be propagated by stem cuttings taken in late summer or fall and treated with a rooting hormone. Root formation usually takes several weeks. Florida anise also produces suckers, which can be planted as new plants if carefully dug up.

Florida Anise Varieties

Halley’s Comet

Illicium floridanum ‘Halley’s Comet’ is a vigorous variety with dark green leaves and abundant deep red flowers that bloom in spring and continue to bloom sporadically throughout the summer and often into fall. This medium-sized shrub grows to 6 to 8 feet tall and produces 2-inch flowers that resemble starfish.

Shady Lady

Illicium floridanum 'Shady Lady' produces pink flowers in late spring over gray-green, slightly wavy leaves with a gray-white tinge along the leaf margins. It grows moderately fast to 5 to 6 feet tall and wide.

Pink Frost

Illicium floridanum 'Pink Frost' is covered in dark green leaves with cream-colored edges. As the weather cools, the leaves turn pink. In spring, the plant blooms with red flowers for four to six weeks. This cultivar reaches 10 feet tall.

Semmes

Illicium floridanum 'Semmes' is only 4 to 6 feet tall and is a stunning flowering plant that produces an abundance of white flowers in spring. This attractive evergreen shrub makes a wonderful addition to mixed borders.

Companion Plants for Florida Anise

Rhododendron

Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.) is an acid-loving shrub that, like Florida anise, adapts to moist, shady conditions. Its spring or summer blooms come in a wide range of colors to brighten up a woodland garden. This classic garden plant, with its bright green leaves and clusters of flowers, is the perfect companion for Florida anise. Zones 3-10

Leucothoe

The low-growing Leucothoe (Leucothoe spp.) shrub fills gaps under taller, shade-loving shrubs. Its arching shape creates a nice contrast with the upright Florida anise. It is an undemanding, attractive evergreen shrub that provides year-round interest. Zones 5-9

Lungwort

Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) is a perennial that grows well with other shade plants and adds brightness to dark corners of the garden. With its spotted leaves and spring flowers, it makes a colorful groundcover of lungwort when planted under Florida anise. Zones 2-8

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Florida anise used as a spice?

No, Florida anise is toxic to humans. The toxic compounds are found in the leaves, fruits, and seeds. Although anise has a pleasant aroma when its leaves are crushed, it is important to note that it is not a substitute for the edible Chinese star anise (Illicium verum).

Are Florida anise flowers fragrant?

The smell of Florida anise flowers has been described as fishy and unpleasant. They are not fragrant. The leaves, on the other hand, give off a licorice-like scent when crushed or brushed against the plant. Many people enjoy the scent of the leaves, although some do not.

Can Florida anise be grown in full sun?

It can be grown in full sun only if it is kept consistently moist. However, its leaf color often appears a little pale or faded in full sun, and it is susceptible to leaf burn. It is best to protect the shrub from the afternoon sun.