Herb · Apiaceae family
Caraway
Carum carvi
In short a 10-second read
spacing 7¾ in
Where to plant and how much to water
Sun, soil and water.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.
Sun
Soil
Watering
Frost
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (69 in).
Plant 7¾ in apart.
How to plant: in rows, 7¾ in in the row, 17¾ in between rows
Reaches maturity in about 1–2 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
Through the year.
Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May–June · white or pink
Sowing
direct sowing: September–October
Feeding
March–April
Harvest
July–August
What to plant now (September) full list in September (146) →What to plant now (October) full list in October (243) →
Feeding
Nutrition.
0.29 qt/sq ft once in spring · March–April
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does caraway flower?
In May–June; the flowers are white or pink.
When do I sow caraway?
In September–October (direct sowing).
When is caraway harvested?
In July–August.
Does caraway tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does caraway need?
At maturity 9⅞ in–11¾ in wide and 11¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in tall; recommended spacing 7¾ in.
Sources (11) Checked 22 October 2026
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- gd.eppo.int
- ema.europa.eu
- rhs.org.uk
- extension.umd.edu
- extension.oregonstate.edu
- missouribotanicalgarden.org
- www1.agric.gov.ab.ca
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, EASIN
Harvest