Caraway
Carum carvi · Apiaceae
📷 Harris & Ewing / Adam Cuerden · Public domain
⚠️ Les huiles aromatiques (carvone, limonène) peuvent provoquer vomissements ou diarrhée chez chiens et chats en cas d’ingestion importante.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant caraway: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Form
- Annual or biennial herb
- Mature height
- 50 to 60 cm
- Foliage
- Deciduous, finely divided
- Flowering
- May to June, white or pale pink flowers
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, tolerates frosts
- Origin
- Mediterranean and Western Asia
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Caraway germinates slowly and irregularly: sow directly in place in September (or stratify 4 weeks before sowing in March). Thin to 15 cm once seedlings have 3-4 leaves.
The common mistake
Thin early: overcrowded seedlings won't flower well.
The pro's trick
Fall sowing (September) = flowering in May/June the following year with better yields.
Care
Exposure
Caraway thrives in full sun, which promotes growth and seed production. Plant it in an open location, sheltered from cast shadows. It tolerates moderate wind exposure well.
Soil and planting
Prefer well-drained, moderately fertile soil that is slightly alkaline. Caraway tolerates ordinary garden soils. Sow directly in place in spring or autumn, as it dislikes transplanting. Space plants 20 to 25 cm apart.
Watering
Water regularly when establishing, then moderately according to natural rainfall. Caraway appreciates consistent moisture but dreads waterlogging. During active growth (spring), keep the soil lightly moist.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is necessary. To harvest seeds, cut the umbels as soon as they brown, before they disperse. You can harvest young leaves in spring for fresh use.
Pests and diseases
Caraway is generally robust. Occasionally watch for aphids on young shoots. Excess moisture can promote root rot: improve drainage in that case. Few major problems in normal cultivation.
Fertilizer
Moderately rich soil is sufficient. A light application of well-decomposed compost before planting is beneficial, without excess nitrogen which would reduce seed production.
Did you know?
Caraway has been cultivated since antiquity and its seeds are mentioned in Greek and Roman texts. In the Middle Ages, they flavored breads and cheeses across Northern Europe, and remain an emblematic ingredient in Germanic and Scandinavian cuisine. They are also the seeds that flavor the traditional kümmel liqueur.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.