Caraway Carum carvi

Caraway is an edible herbaceous biennial (sometimes perennial) with leaves that are often used in salads, teas, stews, and soups; and seeds that are used for flavoring cookies, breads, salads, and cheeses; and roots that can be cooked. 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. In warm climates, it is planted in the winter as an annual. In temperate climates, it is planted as a summer annual or biennial. Caraway is a well-known herb cultivated for its culinary and medicinal uses since ancient times.

Caraway grows best in well-drained, moist garden soil in full sun or partial shade. 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.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Caraway flowers attract parasitic wasps to the garden, which prey on aphids.