Caraway Carum carvi
Caraway (Carum carvi) is a biennial herb in the Apiaceae family, native to Europe, western Asia and North Africa. It grows 50–90 cm (20–35 in) tall and 25–40 cm (10–16 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -29 °C (-20 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Caraway in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Caraway at a glance
| Type | Biennial herb |
|---|---|
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Mature height | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 25–40 cm (10–16 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -29 °C (-20 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 57–63 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 365 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: seeds, leaves, roots |
| Native to | Europe, western Asia and North Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Caraway toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Culinary spice; not listed as toxic in ASPCA references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Caraway
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Shared pests and diseases
- Carrot fly: Carrot fly also attacks parsnip, celery and parsley; mesh or barriers protect them all. Evidence B
Questions about Caraway
- How far apart should I plant Caraway?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 25–40 cm (10–16 in).
- Does Caraway need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Caraway need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Caraway?
- It tolerates about -29 °C (-20 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.
- When does Caraway flower?
- About 57–63 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks.
- Is Caraway poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Culinary spice; not listed as toxic in ASPCA references.
- What grows well with Caraway?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Caraway. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Usually biennial; annual types exist in warm climates. Seed is harvested in the second summer.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Carrot Daucus carota subsp. sativus
- Parsley Petroselinum crispum
- Celery Apium graveolens
- Coriander (cilantro) Coriandrum sativum
- Dill Anethum graveolens
- Parsnip Pastinaca sativa
- Celeriac Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
- Florence fennel Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum