Ammi visnaga The Giant Seeds - Toothpick plant

Ammi visnaga or Toothpick Herb, is an annual plant known as annual fennel for its antispasmodic, vasodilatory, and diuretic properties, which has a strong covering power.

This annual herb has an upright, branched, and spreading habit, reaching 1 m in height. Its foliage is evergreen, very airy and fluffy, light green, and glaucous in colour. The channelled stems, very thin, were once used as toothpicks. Annual fennel is interesting for its very long flowering period from July to autumn. The inflorescence is in compound umbels, meaning that the large umbels consist of small umbels which in turn have small flowers with 5 unequal petals. The flower colour changes between white, creamy white, acidic green, to greenish yellow as the flowering and fruiting progress. The fruits are small, dry, and brown. The plant emits a slight fragrance not always appreciated.

Originating from Egypt and North Africa, this annual fennel is planted in spring, in borders, in a non-specific soil with a preference for clayey soils, in sunny or semi-shaded locations. This plant does not require any special maintenance, but be cautious of its spread as it can become quickly invasive.

The flowers can be used as cut flowers for fresh or dried arrangements.

Note: Please note that our young plug plants are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C for a few weeks before placing them outdoors once the risk of frost is definitively avoided.