Carum carvi
Caraway
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This plant's feathery foliage is somewhat like that of a carrot. It is a lustrous green and makes a fresh looking clump. Flat heads of spicy smelling white flowers come in June and, by September, these have ripened into golden brown seed heads. <I>Carum carvi</I> is the source of caraway seeds. You can eat the young leaves in salads. Once the seeds are harvested they can be used to make seed cake; the Dutch use caraway to flavour their liqueur, <I>Kummel</I>. The plant is normally confined to the herb garden, though its foliage is attractive. You could try planting it between dahlias once the seed heads have been removed.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, spicy
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Herb garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Trim dead flowers to prevent self-seeding
Note on self-seeding: If you do not want this plant to set seed it is necessary to promptly remove the spent flowers as they fade.
It's possible to carefully remove the seed heads, complete with seed, and then place them in areas where you would like new seedlings to grow.