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The Daily Insight

How tall does hyssop grow

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Feb 14, 2026

Plants grow up to 2 ft. tall and attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Do hyssop plants spread?

Anise hyssop is a perennial plant in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4-8. It prefers well-drained soil in part sun to full sun. The plant grows from two to four feet tall. It should be noted that these plants will spread by rhizomes (underground, horizontal roots) and will easily self-seed in optimum growing conditions.

How much space does hyssop need?

Space hyssop plants about 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm.) apart. Once blooming has ceased and seed capsules have completely dried, they can be collected and stored for growing hyssop the next season. In some areas, however, hyssop plants will self-seed readily.

How fast does hyssop grow?

Sow the seeds directly beneath the soil, approximately a quarter of an inch deep. The hyssop will usually take 14 to 21 days to sprout. If started indoors, move the hyssop plants outdoors after the threat of frost has passed. Space the plants 12 to 24 inches apart.

Is hyssop a perennial?

A perennial herb, hyssop has a beautiful dark green color and a compact, bushy habit. With small, pointed leaves and charming flower spikes, the herb is both flavorful and aromatic.

How wide does hyssop get?

Plant form and size: Hyssop is a shrubby and sprawling evergreen plant that grows 18 to 24 inches tall and about 12 inches wide. Flowers: Hyssop has whorls of half-inch white, pink, purple to deep blue flowers (depending on variety); flowers grow on spikes similar to lavender.

Will hyssop survive the winter?

Cutting back anise hyssop in late winter will allow the fresh new stems to come up unimpeded. … In most regions of North America, anise hyssop will brown and die back for winter. You may choose to leave it just as it is with the addition of a bit more mulch around the root zone, and no harm will come to this hardy plant.

Can you eat hyssop?

Culinary. Both the flowers and leaves of Anise-Hyssop are edible. The leaves have a pleasant mild licorice/anise flavor while the flowers add a hint of floral sweetness. Harvested fresh, leaves can be added to summer pasta dishes or cold vegetable soups.

Do you cut back hyssop?

Prune hyssop in early spring to create a compact shape with thick foliage cover. Cut back the entire plant to within 2 inches of the ground using your freshly cleaned pruning shears. Make the cuts just above a pair of leaves to encourage heavy branching.

Can you divide hyssop?

Use a shovel or a garden fork to dig a clump of hyssop. Dig an entire clump, or if the clump is large, use the point of a shovel to separate a smaller clump, leaving the main hyssop plant intact. Divide the hyssop into smaller sections, teasing the roots carefully apart with your fingers.

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How do you take care of a Giant Hyssop?

Purple Giant Hyssop grows best in full sun, but can do fine in partial shade as well. Regarding moisture, it likes a balanced moisture for its soil that is well drained. However, it can tolerate occasional drought and slightly moist soils too. This plant cannot take extended droughts in sunny locations.

Will deer eat hyssop?

Hyssop and Hummingbird Mints (Agastache): The rupestris varieties are particularly fragrant and deer resistant. Lavender (Lavandula): Reliably fragrant and well known for its essential oil content that’s highly unpalatable to deer. Sage (Salvia): Fragrant, resinous foliage is highly deer resistant once established.

What is the difference between hyssop and anise hyssop?

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) and true hyssop flowers appear similar and even taste similar, but they come from different roots. … Anise is native to North America and tends to be more drought resistant. The real reason to assure that your hyssop is true hyssop is that it has medicinal benefits that anise does not.

Is bee balm invasive?

Bee balm does wander around, starting new plants from underground stems. But it is not really invasive. A new plant starting where it is not wanted is easily pulled out since its roots are shallow.

What goes well with hyssop?

Hyssop oil blends well with citrus oils, lavender oil, rosemary, myrtle, laurel leaf, sage and sage clary, amyl salicylate, linalool, eugenol, geraniol, etc.”

Is giant hyssop invasive?

Anise Hyssop is not invasive, but will spread by self-seeding locally. I’ve been growing Anise Hyssop for several years. I’ve had my plants expand in size and self-seed, but I’ve not had them spread via rhizomes.

How do you grow true hyssop?

Hyssop prefers full sun to partial shade and dry, well-drained soil. Prior to planting, work in plenty of organic matter, such as compost or aged animal manure. It is also helpful to add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

Can hyssop be grown indoors?

Hyssop can be started in containers, indoors or outdoors. If you plant in a container make sure the pot is deep enough to accommodate a large root system. Sow seeds indoors or directly in the garden in early spring. Hyssop prefers full sun to partial shade with a well drained, even dry, soil.

What does hyssop plant look like?

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a hardy perennial herb that grows about two feet tall. The aromatic leaves are dark green and pointed. … Unlike most herbs, hyssop has attractive flowers. They come in pink, white, or blue on stalks that grow to about three feet tall.

When can I transplant giant hyssop?

Purple Giant Hyssop is known for germinating easily from seeds, although they do need to be broken from their dormancy. You can sow them indoors a couple of months before the end of the hard frosts and then easily transplant them into your garden. Alternatively, you can sow them in the garden during Autumn.

Do bees like hyssop?

Not only is anise hyssop rich in nectar, but it also blooms for weeks and keeps several species of bees busy feeding. The honey from bees that forage on anise hyssop is very sweet.

Why is my hyssop dying?

Root rot – When you grow this plant in the wet or poorly drained soil, you can expect to face this issue. When root starts rotting, your Anise hyssop will become yellow, wilted, and it will probably die eventually.

What zone does hyssop grow in?

Hardiness (USDA Zone):4-9Soil Type:Bloom Time / Season:SummerSoil pH:Exposure:Full sun to part shadeSoil Drainage:Spacing:1.5-3 feetAttracts:Planting Depth:Surface sow (seeds)Companion Planting:

Is hyssop an evergreen?

Hyssopus officinalis, commonly called hyssop, is an aromatic, semi-evergreen, woody-based, shrubby perennial that grows in an erect bushy clump to 18-24” tall. It is frequently grown in herb gardens and as an ornamental.

What is hyssop called today?

Reviewed on 6/11/2021. Other Name(s): Herbe de Joseph, Herbe Sacrée, Herbe Sainte, Hiope, Hisopo, Hissopo, Hyssopus officinalis, Hysope, Hysope Officinale, Jufa, Rabo De Gato, Ysop.

Can kids drink hyssop tea?

Young children should not drink hyssop tea as it may cause convulsions. Other side effects include a higher risk of seizures. Always talk to a healthcare professional before using herbal remedies and drinking herbal teas.

What's a replacement for hyssop?

Hyssop substitution – if a recipe calls for hyssop and you don’t have it, substitute 1 Tbs chopped fresh hyssop with: 1 1/2 Tbs chopped fresh sage + 1 1/2 Tbs chopped fresh mint.

Will hyssop grow in partial shade?

Growing Guidelines: Anise Hyssop prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade. It is hardy up to zone 5. Seeds will germinate better if cold stratified. Plant them 1′ to 1.5′ apart in well-drained soil.

What do you do with hyssop flowers?

  1. Simply Eat. The flowers are edible with a lighter anise flavor than the leaves and make for a tasty and beautiful garnish or addition to a salad. …
  2. Tea (Fresh or Dried) …
  3. Cordial. …
  4. Relaxing & Healing Bath Infusion. …
  5. Dream Pillows.

What does hyssop plant smell like?

hyssop, (Hyssopus officinalis), evergreen garden herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), grown for its aromatic leaves and flowers. The plant has a sweet scent and a warm bitter taste and has long been used as a flavouring for foods and beverages and as a folk medicine.

What eats giant hyssop?

The flowers are alive with bees and butterflies coming for a drink from the nectar filled flowers. Goldfinches visit to eat the seeds too. It doesn’t need to be left entirely to our wildlife visitors either. The licorice flavoured leaves make fine herbal teas and jellies or can be included fresh in salads.