Heirloom

Arterner

Carum carvi

Easy to grow once established. White umbel flowers form in spring of second year, attracting beneficial insects, such as hover flies. Harvest seed heads when plump and light brown, hang to dry. Thresh to remove seeds. One plant produces approx. 5 Tbs. of seed. Used in breads and savory dishes to lend an earthy, mild anise flavor.

Harvest

400d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Arterner in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 herb →

Zone Map

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Arterner · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

WaterModerate

SeasonBiennial

FlavorEarthy, mild anise flavor with subtle licorice notes.

ColorLight brown

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The achene is elliptic, slightly flattened and has prominent length-wise ridges when mature. Contains crescent-shaped seeds, 1/16 of an inch.

Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Fall

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.

Storage & Preservation

Arterner caraway seeds store best in cool, dry conditions between 50–60°F with humidity below 60%, kept in airtight containers away from light. Fresh seeds maintain quality for 6–8 months under these conditions. For longer preservation, freeze seeds in sealed containers for up to two years with minimal flavor loss. Drying is the traditional method—spread harvested seed heads on clean cloth in a warm, ventilated space until seeds separate easily, then store in glass jars. Some gardeners successfully ferment fresh caraway leaves in brine for a tangy condiment that keeps refrigerated for several months. Arterner's notably robust seed production means you can afford to dry generous quantities without compromising next season's plantings; many growers set aside 20–30% of their harvest specifically for seed saving before processing the remainder.

History & Origin

Origin: Temperate Eurasia

Advantages

+Attracts: Pollinators
+Edible: 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.
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

Caraway's open umbel flowers draw Ichneumonid wasps and other small parasitoids that hunt caterpillars and aphids, so planting it within a few feet of tomatoes or peppers gives those crops a real pest-suppression benefit — not just a theoretical one. Carrots and parsley are fellow Apiaceae sharing similar root depth and moderate water needs, so they sit comfortably alongside caraway without crowding each other out. Give rue a wide berth: it produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit germination and stunt root development in neighboring plants, and it runs dry enough that its soil moisture preferences will clash with caraway's moderate water needs all season long.

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Basil repels tomato hornworms and aphids, may improve tomato flavor

Peppers

Basil deters aphids and spider mites that commonly affect peppers

Oregano

Both herbs have similar growing requirements and repel common garden pests

Lettuce

Basil provides light shade for lettuce and repels aphids that damage leafy greens

Asparagus

Basil repels asparagus beetles and doesn't compete for root space

Marigolds

Both plants repel aphids and whiteflies, creating a stronger pest deterrent

Parsley

Similar water and nutrient needs, basil helps repel pests that affect parsley

Carrots

Basil improves soil health and repels carrot flies without root competition

Keep Apart

Rue

Allelopathic properties inhibit basil growth and development

Sage

Competes for similar nutrients and may stunt basil growth

Thyme

Can inhibit basil germination and early growth through allelopathy

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

3.15g(6%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

2.65g(1%)

Fat

0.64g(1%)

Vitamin C

18mg(20%)

Vitamin A

264mcg(29%)

Vitamin K

415mcg(346%)

Iron

3.17mg(18%)

Calcium

177mg(14%)

Potassium

295mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)

Troubleshooting Arterner

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapse at soil level within the first 2-3 weeks after germination, stems pinched or blackened at the base

Likely Causes

Damping off — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia solani, triggered by overly wet, poorly drained soil
Overcrowded seed tray with poor airflow

What to Do

1.Remove and discard affected seedlings immediately; don't compost them
2.Water only when the top inch of soil is dry, and water in the morning so the surface dries before nightfall
3.Sow into sterile seed-starting mix rather than garden soil, and thin early so seedlings aren't touching

Plant produces only foliage in its first full season — no flower umbels, no seed, even after 12+ months in the ground

Likely Causes

Normal biennial behavior — Carum carvi requires several weeks below 40°F (cold vernalization) before it will bolt and flower in year two
Plants started too late in the season, missing sufficient cold exposure before the following summer

What to Do

1.Don't pull the plant — leave it in the ground through winter and expect flowers and harvestable seed in the second summer, roughly months 14–18
2.Start seeds indoors in February or transplant out by early May so plants have a full first season to size up before going dormant

Yellowing, stunted growth with curled or puckered new leaves on otherwise established plants

Likely Causes

Cavariella aegopodii (carrot-willow aphid), which specifically targets Apiaceae family members including caraway, clustering on tender new growth
Excess nitrogen fertilizer producing the soft, lush tissue that aphids preferentially colonize — NC State Extension's IPM guidance flags overfertilization as a direct vulnerability factor

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm spray of water; repeat every 2–3 days for a week and check the undersides of leaves
2.Back off any nitrogen-heavy amendments — caraway doesn't need heavy feeding and the extra flush of growth works against you
3.Give beneficial insects — lacewings, lady beetles — a chance to establish before reaching for any spray

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to harvest Arterner seeds?▼

Arterner is a biennial herb that takes approximately 400 days to produce harvestable seeds. Plants flower in their second spring, producing white umbel flowers followed by seed heads. You'll harvest when the seed heads turn light brown and plump, typically 4-6 months after flowering begins. One mature plant yields about 5 tablespoons of seed.

Is Arterner a good herb for beginners?▼

Yes, Arterner is excellent for beginners. It's rated as an easy-to-grow heirloom variety that establishes well once planted. The plant requires minimal care, needing only full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours daily). Its hardiness and low maintenance make it ideal for novice gardeners looking to grow culinary herbs.

Can you grow Arterner in containers?▼

While not explicitly stated in available information, Arterner's modest size and long growing period suggest it could potentially be container-grown. However, detailed container-growing guidance isn't available. For best results, consult local growing guides or experiment with large containers (12+ inches) to accommodate the biennial growth cycle.

What does Arterner taste like and how is it used?▼

Arterner seeds have an earthy, mild anise flavor profile. They're primarily used in breads and savory dishes to add subtle licorice notes without overpowering. The seeds work well in grain breads, vegetable dishes, and traditional European cuisines. Harvest and dry seed heads, then thresh to extract the seeds for cooking.

When should I plant Arterner seeds?▼

Plant Arterner seeds directly in your garden in spring or early summer, as it's a biennial that needs time to establish before flowering in its second year. Ensure it has access to full sun or partial shade (4-6+ hours daily). The plant will spend its first year developing foliage before producing flowers and seeds in spring of year two.

How far apart should Arterner plants be spaced?▼

Specific spacing recommendations for Arterner aren't detailed in standard growing guides. For a biennial herb of this type, typical spacing is 12-18 inches apart to allow adequate air circulation and room for foliage development. Consult seed packet instructions or local extension resources for precise spacing guidance.