Caraway is an edible herbaceous biennial in the carrot family (Apiaceae) native to western Asia, Europe, and North Africa. It is a versatile plant that grows across a wide swath of USDA climate zones and, in nature, is often found in moist meadows, arable land and waste places at sea level and higher elevations. Carawy will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and spread 1 foot wide and prefers full sun to light shade in moist well-drained garden soil. It tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 7.6. Plants growing in full sun are richer in essential oils and, therefore more aromatic. Established Caraway plants have deep roots and do not tolerate root disturbance, but often self-sow freely when in a suitable location. It is a good plant for breaking up the sub-soil on heavy, wet land. It does not do well growing near fennel or wormwood, but is a good companion for most plants, especially those that are shallow-rooted. Compound leaves are often used in salads, teas, stews, and soups. Caraway seeds are used for flavoring multiple foods and the first-year root is edible and can be cooked. The fragrant white flowers occur in clusters in late spring to early summer and attract pollinators and parasitic wasps to the garden, which prey on aphids. Use this plant in the edible and pollinator gardens. Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for carrot root fly, aphids, and parsley worms. Anthracnose and white mold are possible diseases.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Edible; Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The compound leaves are similar in appearance to carrots with finely divided, feathery leaves with thread-like divisions, growing on 8 to 12 inch stems. One compound leaf per node along the stem. Edge of the leaf can be lobed with or without teeth or entire with no lobe. Basal leaves are larger than stem leaves.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Edible; Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Umbels are 1 to 2.5 inches across made up of multiple small white or pink-tinged symmetrical flowers on 8 to 12 inch stems. Individual flowers have 5 petals, notched at the tip, 5 stamens and a creamy white center.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The achene is elliptic, slightly flattened and has prominent length-wise ridges when mature. Contains crescent-shaped seeds, 1/16 of an inch.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Mostly unbranched green hollow stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Temperate Eurasia
Distribution
Throughout the United States (excepting California and Texas east to South Carolina), Canada north to Greenland, Northern Africa.
Attracts
Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Leaves; Seeds
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene
Edibility
Leaves and seeds are typically eaten, but all parts are edible. Seeds have a spicy flavor; leaves are less spicy, with a parsley-dill flavor.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Caraway has a long history as a household remedy for digestive issues.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Edible Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Border; Small groups
Garden tags
#problem for cats #problem for horses #problem for dogs #edible #herbaceous perennial #flowering #herb garden #edible garden #partial shade tolerant #pollinator garden #summer flowers #white flowers #full sun tolerant #bee friendly
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage; Insect and Related Pests of Vegetables
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses