Chinese anise Plant Care

Chinese anise (Illicium ternstroemioides) belongs to the Schisandraceae family within the Illicium genus. Chinese anise is native to northern Vietnam and Hainan Island in China. Chinese anise is also known as star anise magnolia, yellow anisetree.

Chinese anise displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Chinese anise produces showy, star-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chinese anise every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Chinese anise thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Illicium ternstroemioides tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Chinese anise prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, acidic soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Chinese anise to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Chinese anise every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, acidic soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Chinese anise is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Chinese anise can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Chinese anise while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Chinese anise is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Chinese anise can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to difengpi plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Chinese anise is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Chinese anise grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Chinese anise is native to northern Vietnam and Hainan Island in China. In cooler regions, grow Chinese anise as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.