Star Anise Care
Florida anise (Illicium floridanum)
Fertilizer
If you have amended the growing medium with plenty of organic matter, don’t worry much about feeding the plant. To boost growth, use aged manure or compost once a month. You can also use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/4 of its strength once every 4-6 weeks.
Pests and Diseases
There are not any specific pests or diseases that bother it. Star anise itself has antibacterial and pest-repellent properties. However, it might occasionally get contracted by fungal infestations like Alternaria Blight or Downy Mildew.
Snip away the affected stems and use an insecticidal soap solution to fight the diseases. Avoid overwatering to bar further infestation.
Pruning
To keep your star anise growing as a nice shrub, prune the tips in winter. Use sharp shears and cut no more than 6 inches off each branch. Avoid electric tools since they can leave branches and leaves looking rough. Trim any weak or diseased branches as you see them.
Pruning star anise doesn’t need any special steps, and you don’t have to worry about the pods—they’re picked while still unripe. Keep it well-trimmed, and you’ll see why people love these trees for their beauty.
Harvesting Star Anise
When you see rounded pods on your star anise plant, cut them off individually with garden shears and dry them in the sun. Once fully dried, they will change from a rounded shape to star-like points, earning them the name “aniseed stars.” The pods also turn from green to reddish-brown. When the pods open, the seeds inside are ready to flavor dishes. To check if they’re mature, take a seed and pinch it. If it smells like black licorice, it’s ready. If not, wait a few more days and try again until you get that licorice scent.
Storing
To store star anise seeds once they’re out of the pod, use airtight containers. If you keep the seeds in the pod, they’ll stay fresh for up to two years for cooking. Ground seeds last up to one year and can even work as a pest repellent. If the seeds lose their strong aroma, they’re no longer good and should be discarded.
