Species Wild Caraway
white flowers with yellow center and light-green leaves and stems

Wild Caraway

Carum carvi

Wild Caraway (Carum carvi) is an annual herb of the family Apiaceae. Grown widely throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, wild caraway is known for its medicinal and culinary uses. Its leaves are similar to parsley with a sweet and peppery flavor. The plant produces pink or white flowers with a sweet aroma followed by fruits with a nutty flavor. Wild caraway grows in full sun and does not tolerate wet soil. It can be used as a groundcover, edging plant, or even in containers. The seeds of wild caraway are popularly used in Middle Eastern cooking, pickling and baking. They are also valued for their medicinal properties, notably for easing digestive issues.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Wild Caraway should be watered frequently, but lightly, and allowed to dry out between waterings. The soil should not be saturated or soggy. During the growing season (spring and summer), this plant should be watered every 3-5 days, depending on the weather - more often if it is very warm or dry. During the winter months, water less often - every 7-10 days, depending on the weather. Your soil should be moist but not wet. In addition to regular watering, misting the leaves of your plant can help keep it healthy and hydrated.

sunlight

Wild Caraway (Carum carvi) prefers full sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained soil. In full sun, it will need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to thrive. When grown in partial shade, 4 to 6 hours a day is ideal. It is best grown in a location that gets morning sun and is shielded from hot afternoon sun.

pruning

Wild Caraway should be pruned once a year for shape, size, and to promote new foliage. The best time to prune these plants is in the spring when growth is just beginning. Prune lightly, removing no more than 1/3 of the plant's total growth each year. Focus on removing dead, diseased, or otherwise damaged branches to improve plant health. Additionally, it can be beneficial to lightly prune the plant to give it a desired shape or size and to remove crossed or overly crowded branches.