Sweet Cicely Plant Care
Myrrhis odorata (L.) Scop.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Myrrhis odorata, with common names cicely, sweet cicely, myrrh, garden myrrh, and sweet chervil, is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the celery family Apiaceae. It is the only species in the genus Myrrhis.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Sweet Cicely?
Water Sweet Cicely every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Sweet Cicely?
Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Myrrhis genus. Sweet Cicely is also known as Sweet Chervil, Anise, Myrrh.
Sweet Cicely displays an upright, clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Sweet Cicely produces small white umbels in late spring to early summer.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sweet Cicely?
Myrrhis odorata requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Sweet Cicely Need?
Sweet Cicely thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sweet Cicely Prefer?
Myrrhis odorata grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Sweet Cicely prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sweet Cicely?
Rich, well-draining soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Sweet Cicely to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sweet Cicely?
Feed Sweet Cicely every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Sweet Cicely?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Sweet Cicely?
Sweet Cicely can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.
Is the Sweet Cicely Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sweet Cicely, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Sweet Cicely?
Sweet Cicely is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Sweet Cicely Need?
Sweet Cicely grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Sweet Cicely as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Sweet Cicely is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Myrrhis genus — compare its care with other Myrrhis species on PlantoScan.
Myrrhis is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Sweet Cicely thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Myrrhis odorata (L.) Scop., family Apiaceae (first published in Fl. Carniol. , ed. 2, 1: 207 (1771)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sweet Cicely, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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