Crop guide · The carrot and parsley family

How to grow Sweet Cicely

A cold-hardy perennial herb with ferny, anise-scented leaves that emerge earlier in spring than almost any other garden plant.

Myrrhis odorata · also called garden myrrh, anise fern

Partial shade Intermediate Frost-hardy
Sun
Partial shade
Requires afternoon shade where summer temperatures regularly exceed 80 °F (27 °C)
Frost
Hardy
Survives hard frost reliably
Spacing
24 in
60 cm between plants
Sow depth
¼ in
6 mm
To harvest
90–120 days
counted from sowing
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
slightly acidic to neutral
Timing

When to plant Sweet Cicely

Fall
Direct sow

Sow fresh seed outdoors in late summer to early fall so cold winter soil provides the required chilling period.

Spring
Direct sow

Direct sow only after 8–12 weeks of cold-moist stratification in the refrigerator; sow as soon as soil is workable.

Too late?Skip spring direct sowing if soil has already warmed above 65 °F (18 °C) — seeds sown then rarely germinate; wait for a fall sowing instead.
Background

Why grow Sweet Cicely

Sweet Cicely's leaves and unripe seeds add a mild anise sweetness to salads, fruit dishes, and cooked vegetables, reducing the need for added sugar. As a deep-rooted perennial, it returns reliably each year with minimal attention.

A little history. Native to mountainous regions of central and southern Europe, Myrrhis odorata is one of the few members of the carrot family with seeds that require a cold, moist period before they will sprout — a trait documented in standard horticultural references.

The season, step by step

From planting to harvest

Sow outside

Sow fresh seed outdoors in late summer to early fall so cold winter soil provides the required chilling period

Sow seeds ¼ inch (6 mm) deep, and aim for 24 inches (60 cm) between plants once thinned. Press seed firmly into moist soil; do not cover deeply — ¼ inch maximum. Keep consistently moist. Expect slow, uneven emergence even after stratification. Seedlings emerge in 21–60 days.

Best soil temp 50–65 °F (10–18 °C) after cold stratification Minimum 40 °F (4 °C) Emerges in 21–60 days

Water and feed

All season

Water deeply once or twice a week during dry spells; established plants are moderately drought-tolerant in cool weather. Water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, or when leaves begin to droop slightly in afternoon heat. Aim for about 1 inch per week including rain.

Top-dress with compost once each spring as new growth emerges; no further feeding needed in a reasonably fertile soil. What to use: well-rotted compost or a balanced organic fertilizer worked lightly into the soil surface.

Prune and maintain

As it grows

Cut flower stalks before they set seed unless you want self-sown seedlings — self-seeding can be prolific. Cut foliage back to the crown in late fall after it yellows.

Harvest and store

90–120 days from sowing

It's ready when harvest leaves once the plant is well established — typically from the second year onward. Pick young, bright-green leaves before the plant flowers for the best flavor. Snip individual leaves or whole stems with scissors or a sharp knife, taking no more than one-third of the plant at a time. Harvest unripe green seeds by cutting whole seed heads before they darken.

Use leaves fresh — they lose aroma quickly after cutting. Wrap loosely in a damp cloth and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Ripe seeds can be dried and stored in an airtight jar.

Companions

Good neighbours, bad neighbours

Plant it with

Chervil

Both want cool, moist soil and dappled light, so they hold up in the same shady corner without either one crowding the other. Chervil fills the ground between young Sweet Cicely clumps while the perennial takes its time to size up.

Lovage

Two long-lived, deep-rooted herbs that share a preference for rich, evenly moist soil and part shade, so a single perennial herb bed suits both. Give each 24 inches of its own space and neither will fight for water.

Spearmint

Spearmint's low, leafy cover shades the soil around a Sweet Cicely clump and keeps it cool and damp in summer. Sink the mint in a buried pot or edge it hard, since unchecked runners will overrun the bed within a season.

Hostas

Hostas thrive in the same cool, part-shade ground and their broad leaves fill out as Sweet Cicely's early foliage begins to tire in midsummer, keeping the planting covered. Neither roots deeply enough to rob the other.

Keep it away from

Fennel

Fennel roots release compounds that stunt most garden vegetables and herbs, and a slow-establishing perennial like Sweet Cicely suffers most. Plant fennel well away at the garden edge, where its flat flower heads still feed hoverflies and tiny parasitic wasps.

Dill

Both belong to the carrot and parsley family and share carrot fly and the same leaf-spotting problems, so growing them side by side stacks the pressure. Dill also self-seeds thickly and competes with young Sweet Cicely crowns for light and water.

See Sweet Cicely in the full companion chart →

Crop rotation

After this crop

Rotation

A perennial — it holds its spot for years, so it sits outside the annual rotation.

Sweet Cicely is a long-lived perennial, so it holds its ground rather than entering the yearly rotation — a moderate feeder that asks only a spring compost top-dress. Its deep taproot opens heavy soil. If you finally lift it, keep other carrot-family crops out of that spot for 3 years and follow with peas or beans.

Trouble to watch for

Pests and diseases

Pests

Aphids

Sign
Clusters of small soft-bodied insects on new shoot tips and undersides of leaves; sticky residue on foliage.
Fix
Knock off with a firm jet of water; repeat every 2-3 days until colonies collapse.

Slugs and snails

Sign
Ragged holes in young leaves, especially near the base; silvery slime trails on soil or foliage.
Fix
Set out iron phosphate bait around the crown at dusk; remove by hand on wet evenings.

Carrot fly

Sign
Wilting or yellowing foliage; tunneling damage visible if roots are lifted.
Fix
Cover young plants with fine insect mesh (row cover) from germination through early summer.

Diseases

Powdery mildew

Sign
White powdery coating on leaf surfaces, typically appearing in late summer when air circulation is poor.
Prevent
Space plants at least 24 inches apart; avoid overhead watering in the evening. Cut affected foliage back hard — new growth is usually clean.

Crown rot

Sign
Soft, discolored tissue at the base of the plant; stems collapse at soil level, often in wet winters.
Prevent
Plant in well-drained soil; avoid mulching directly against the crown. Do not overwater in cool weather.
Good to know:Sweet Cicely can be confused with poison hemlock and other toxic carrot-family plants — always verify identification by the strong anise scent of crushed leaves before eating any part.
FAQ

Common questions about Sweet Cicely

When should I plant Sweet Cicely?
Fall: sow fresh seed outdoors in late summer to early fall so cold winter soil provides the required chilling period. Spring: direct sow only after 8–12 weeks of cold-moist stratification in the refrigerator; sow as soon as soil is workable.
How long until Sweet Cicely is ready to harvest?
90–120 days, counted from sowing. It's ready when harvest leaves once the plant is well established — typically from the second year onward. Pick young, bright-green leaves before the plant flowers for the best flavor.
Can I grow Sweet Cicely in a container?
Best in a deep garden bed; taproot reaches 12–18 inches and resents disturbance — containers are not recommended for long-term growing.
How often should I water Sweet Cicely?
Water deeply once or twice a week during dry spells; established plants are moderately drought-tolerant in cool weather. Water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, or when leaves begin to droop slightly in afternoon heat.
Is any part of Sweet Cicely unsafe to eat?
Sweet Cicely can be confused with poison hemlock and other toxic carrot-family plants — always verify identification by the strong anise scent of crushed leaves before eating any part.
How should I store Sweet Cicely after harvest?
Use leaves fresh — they lose aroma quickly after cutting. Wrap loosely in a damp cloth and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Ripe seeds can be dried and stored in an airtight jar.

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