Florida anisetree
Illicium floridanum
Last reviewed: November 2026
Florida anisetree is an evergreen shrub with dark maroon flowers that open in April and May. It favors shaded sites and consistently moist soil, often along streambanks and in damp woodlands of the Gulf Coast region.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Florida anisetree, free in the app.
Toxicity unknown
Florida anisetree (Illicium floridanum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
shade
Water
high
Size
72"–120" H × 60"–96" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, FL, GA, LA and 1 more states
Pollinators
flies, beetles
Before you buy
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A rounded evergreen shrub with leathery aromatic leaves and nodding star-shaped maroon-red flowers with many narrow petals. It is one of the few broadleaf evergreens that thrives in deep shade and consistently wet soil.
Growing Florida anisetree
Grow Florida anisetree in shade and high water. Mature plants reach 72 to 120 inches tall and spread 60 to 96 inches wide.
How to care for Florida anisetree, by region
How to care for Florida anisetree where it is actually grown: year-round basics plus what to do each season, region by region, with the sources for each.
Care guidance last updated: October 2026
Piedmont (includes Atlanta, GA)
Year-round
Florida anise is a shade shrub that wants moist, rich soil. Do not eat any part of it.
- Plant in part to full shade. Many hours of bright sun can scorch the leaves.
- Use moist, rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter.
- It is not drought tolerant, so keep it consistently moist.
- Cut away root suckers as needed to control spread.
- Pests and diseases are rarely a problem.
Fall
Fall needs little work. Keep moisture steady and keep fruit away from kids and pets.
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
- Fall is a fine time to prune lightly for shape.
Winter
It is cold sensitive, so Atlanta is near its comfortable range. Shelter helps in hard freezes.
- Hardy in USDA zones 7a to 10b, so Atlanta sits inside that range.
- It is cold sensitive and not recommended for colder regions.
- Planting in a sheltered spot is a reasonable choice. This is a judgment call, not a sourced rule.
Spring
Spring is a good time to plant and to trim suckers. Keep the soil moist.
- Plant in part shade in moist, rich soil.
- Prune early in the plant's life to keep a good shape.
- Cut away root suckers if you want it to stay put.
Summer
Summer sun and dry spells are the risks. Shade and steady water keep the leaves healthy.
- Leaves may scorch in many hours of bright sun.
- It is not drought tolerant, so water during dry stretches.
- It tolerates heavy shade well.
Sources: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Illicium floridanum, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Illicium floridanum
Wildlife value
Provides dense year-round evergreen cover for birds in shaded, wet ground where few shrubs persist.
Common questions
- When does Illicium floridanum bloom?
- Florida anisetree typically flowers in April and May, producing star shaped maroon blossoms along its branches.
- What pollinates Florida anisetree?
- The flowers have a musky scent that draws flies and beetles, which act as the primary pollinators for this shrub.
- How much light does Florida anisetree need?
- This shrub grows best in part shade to full shade. Deep shade under a tree canopy mimics the woodland understory conditions it favors.
- How much water does Florida anisetree require?
- Florida anisetree prefers consistently moist to wet soil and does not tolerate extended dry spells well, so regular watering or a naturally damp site suits it best.
- Does Florida anisetree lose its leaves in winter?
- No, it is an evergreen shrub and keeps its glossy foliage year round.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Florida anisetree? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.