Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
1 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early March to late May
- Site
- 6+ hours of sun, soil pH 6–7.5
In the UK, cumins go in the ground early March to late May.
Cumins (Cuminum cyminum) — annual.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: there are 4 separate regional sowing windows, ranging from early March in Southern England to early March in Scotland.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
Quick Facts
Soil & Growing Conditions
Growth Stages
Harvest & Storage
Cumin, a Desert-Adapted Spice Crop
References
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A tender annual reaching about 30cm tall with delicate, feathery foliage, producing white flower clusters in summer followed by aromatic seed-bearing fruit. Native to the East Mediterranean. Hardiness H2 (tolerates low temperatures but cannot survive freezing, 1-5C minimum). Full sun, south- or west-facing aspect preferred. Soil: chalk, loam or sand; well-drained; acid, alkaline or neutral pH. Height/spread 0.1-0.5m. Time to maturity 1 year. Sow seed indoors at 15C in early spring under glass, or direct sow outdoors in late spring. Generally pest-free and disease-free. Plants need 3-4 warm months in summer for good seed production; harvest seed in late summer, before full ripening to prevent shattering. Seeds (the aromatic cumin spice) are the edible part.
1 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow cumins in the UK?
In Southern England, from early March. In Scotland, wait until early March. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow cumins?
Sow early March to late May.
What soil pH do cumins need?
A pH of about 6–7.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-08-29
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.