Anise is a herbaceous annual plant growing to 3 ft tall.
The leaves at the base of the plant are simple, 0.5–2 in long and shallowly lobed, while leaves higher on the stems are feathery pinnate, divided into numerous leaves.
The flowers are white, approximately 3 mm diameter, produced in dense umbels. The fruit is an oblong dry schizocarp, 3 – 5 mm long. It is these seed pods that are referred to as "aniseed".
Anise plants grow best in light, fertile, well drained soil.
The seeds should be planted as soon as the ground warms up in spring.
Because the plants have a taproot, they do not transplant well after being established, so they should be started either in their final location or transplanted while the seedlings are still small.