Caraway plant profile
Carum carvi
A biennial herb for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Caraway
Direct-sow caraway in spring in a full-sun, well-drained spot, keeping the seedbed moist because seed is slow to germinate (Illinois). It is a biennial: the first year it forms a leafy rosette, then flowers and sets seed the second year.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Caraway in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: slow germination, transplant shock.
Next steps
Continue with Caraway
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Caraway (Herb Gardening)
University of Illinois Extension. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.