How to Plant Hyssop
- Planting depth: Sow seeds ¼ inch deep. Cover seeds lightly.
- Spacing: Space hyssop plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
- How much to plant: Grow 2 hyssop plants for cooking; grow 10 to 20 plants for tea and preserving.
How to plant, grow, and harvest hyssop?
Quick Guide: Planting, Growing & Harvesting Hyssop
- Medium-sized plant whose leaves are used for salads, liqueurs and soups
- Flowers are pink, red, white and purple
- Start seedlings indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost; be patient with germination
- Set seedlings outdoors after last frost
- Choose a site with full sun and dry soil that drains well
- Best used fresh
When to plant hyssop?
When to Plant Anise Hyssop
- Seed starting indoors: Seeds can be started indoors about 8 weeks before the average date of the last spring frost. Seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days.
- Transplanting to the garden: Set out anise hyssop seedlings when all risk of frost is passed.
- Outdoor planting time: Sow seed directly in the garden a week before the average last spring frost date.
Which herb is the easiest to grow from seed?
Growing herbs from seed is easy if you choose the right ones, and dill, cilantro, chives and oregano are among the many good choices for indoors or outdoors. Find out what other herbs grow well from seed — and how to care for them once they're sprouted.
What to plant with hyssop?
- Hyssopus officinalis ‘Roseus’ – Dense spikes of small pink flowers. Height x Spread: 80cm, spread 90cm
- Hyssopus officinalis f. albus – Spikes of small white flowers. H x S: 80cm, spread 90cm
- Hyssopus officinalis subsp. aristatus – small dark blue flowers on compact plants. H x S: 30cm, spread 45cm
Is hyssop easy to grow from seed?
It's easy to grow hyssop from seed – simply sow indoors or directly into the ground after the last frost. Seeds will take 14-21 days to germinate. You can also take softwood cuttings in summer.
How long does it take to grow hyssop from seed?
between 14 and 21 daysHyssop seeds usually take between 14 and 21 days to germinate and can be transplanted (if sown indoors) in the garden after the threat of frost has ended in spring.
Where does hyssop grow best?
Hyssop is a hardy and adaptable plant that thrives in Zones 4 to 9. It prefers well-draining, fertile loam, but it will tolerate poor, dry, sandy soil as well. Hyssop does well in a generous pH range of 6.6 to 8.5. It loves full days of warm sun but will tolerate partial shade.
How do you propagate hyssop?
Propagate by seed, cuttings, division or separation - Divide plants in spring or fall. Sow seeds in spring in a light, dry warm soil in full sun. Hyssop will self sow readily under favorable conditions. For stronger plants, sow in a cold frame in the spring, where they will germinate quickly.
How do you harvest hyssop seeds?
Seed Saving: When the flower spikes begin to dry and turn brown, remove them and spread them out to dry; thresh them to remove the seed. Shaking the entire plant's seed heads into a container is also effective, but the process should be repeated daily until all the seed has matured.
Is hyssop an annual or a perennial?
perennial herbA 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.
Is hyssop toxic to humans?
Hyssop is considered safe for most people in the amounts commonly found in foods and in medicinal amounts. However, do not use the oil product because it has caused seizures in some people.
Should you deadhead hyssop?
Herbaceous plants do best if trimmed back in early spring just as new growth is about to appear. Anise hyssop can also be deadheaded and shaped lightly from spring until mid-summer. Suspend any trimming thereafter, as it may force tender, new growth that can be damaged when cool weather appears.
Do hyssop seeds need light to germinate?
Anise hyssop is easily started from seed and often blooms the first year, but also can be propagated in spring or fall by division of plants that spread by rhizomes. Seeds need light to germinate, so barely cover the seeds. They should germinate in 1-4 weeks; cold, moist stratification improves germination.
Can hyssop be grown in pots?
Absolutely, growing hyssop in containers is possible. Hyssop is, like many other herbs, very tolerant of a variety of environments. The herb can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm.) if left to its own devices, but it can easily be curtailed by pruning it.
Can hyssop be propagated from cuttings?
Hyssop can be readily propagated through divisions and cuttings. Cuttings should be taken in spring or autumn.
How do you keep hyssop blooming?
Pruning. Anise Hyssop is a fairly independent plant and won't need much attention once it has established itself in your landscape. Occasional pruning can help encourage the plant to bloom and keep the plant looking its best. Pruning is best done in early spring, using a pair of clean pruning shears.
When should I start hyssop seeds?
Sow seeds indoors just beneath the surface of the soil 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Hyssop seeds will germinate in 14-21 days. Transplant out in the spring after the last frost. Set plants 12-24 inches apart.
When should I plant hyssop?
springTransplanting to the garden: Transplant hyssop outdoors in mid- to late spring after the last frost. Outdoor planting time: Hyssop can be grown from seed, division, or stem cuttings. Sow seed outdoors after the last spring frost. Seeds also can also be sown in autumn.
Do hyssop seeds need light to germinate?
Anise hyssop is easily started from seed and often blooms the first year, but also can be propagated in spring or fall by division of plants that spread by rhizomes. Seeds need light to germinate, so barely cover the seeds. They should germinate in 1-4 weeks; cold, moist stratification improves germination.
Is hyssop toxic to humans?
Hyssop is considered safe for most people in the amounts commonly found in foods and in medicinal amounts. However, do not use the oil product because it has caused seizures in some people.
How to grow hyssop?
Soil preparation: Plant hyssop in compost-rich, well-drained soil. Add aged compost or commercial organic planting mix to planting area ahead of planting. Hyssop grows best in a soil pH of 7.0 to 8.0—slightly alkaline.
How long does it take for hyssop to germinate?
Germination takes about 14 days. Transplanting to the garden: Transplant hyssop outdoors in mid- to late spring after the last frost. Outdoor planting time: Hyssop can be grown from seed, division, or stem cuttings. Sow seed outdoors after the last spring frost. Seeds also can also be sown in autumn.
What is the best way to use hyssop?
Flavor and aroma: Use hyssop sparingly. Hyssop has a strong minty flavor that can become bitter if too much of it is used at one time. Mix hyssop with one of the sweeter mints, such as spearmint, or a more lemony mint-like lemon balm.
What is hyssop used for?
Hyssop is a member of the mint family. It can be used much like mint but its minty flavor is stronger than most mints so it should be used sparingly. Add hyssop to salads, fruit dishes—especially cranberries, soups, and stews.
How to store hyssop leaves?
Refrigeration: Fresh hyssop leaves can be kept in the refrigerator for a few days. Wrap leaves in a damp paper towel and place them inside a perforated plastic bag. Drying: Hang whole branches upside down to air dry.
What color are hyssop flowers?
Flowers: Hyssop has whorls of half-inch white, pink, purple to deep blue flowers (depending on variety); flowers grow on spikes similar to lavender.
How tall does a hyssop grow?
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 ...
What is a hyssop bear?
Hyssop bears spikes of blue flowers that are particularly attractive to pollinators. It’s popular with beekeepers as it’s said to make excellent honey.
Can hyssop be grown in a pot?
Hyssop works well in borders and as an edging plant. It will also grow well in a pot – just make sure the pot is large enough to contain its large root system.
Is hyssop a herb?
Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis, is a semi-evergreen shrub in the mint family, yet is less commonly grown than other culinary herbs. It was particularly popular during the Middle Ages, used as a flavouring in soups and stuffings. Now it’s more commonly used in the distillation of certain liquors and to give the famous green colour to absinthe. However, it’s ideal for using in hearty stews and goes well with meat such as lamb or chicken. Its leaves have a strong flavour so only a few are required when cooking. It makes a good alternative to sage.
Is Hyssop easy to grow?
Hyssop is relatively trouble-free and easy to grow.
How to grow hyssop
Hyssop is a plant that has been used as a culinary herb for centuries.
Where does hyssop grow best?
As you might guess from its name, hyssop grows well in hot, dry climates.
How do you fertilize hyssop?
Hyssop is a low-maintenance plant and only needs organic fertilizer to thrive.
When to Plant Hyssop Seeds
Start Hyssop indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost of the season or sow directly into the garden after the last frost of the season.
Where to Plant Hyssop Seeds
Plant Hyssop in drier, slightly alkaline soils that are well drained with access to full sun (6-8 hours of sun per day) to partial sun (4-6 hours of sun per day). Hyssop tolerates shallow rocky soils and areas subject to erosion.
How to Plant Hyssop Seeds
Spread Hyssop into moistened garden soil and cover the seed approximately 1/4th of an inch deep. Be sure to keep the soil moist during the germination process. Thin out weaker seedlings as they sprout. When transplanting from indoors, space each plant approximately 12-18 inches apart.
How to Harvest Hyssop
For the most potent leaf flavor, harvest Hyssop before the plant flowers, and be sure to trim any spent flowers. Hyssop flowers themselves are also edible when they are fresh. Leaves can be eaten fresh or stems can be dried for use later. To dry, hang a bundle of cut stems in a well ventilated area until dry.
How to grow anise hyssop?
Plant Anise Hyssop in spring after the last frost. Establish seedlings any time until early summer. Space 18 to 24 inches apart in borders, wildflower gardens, herb gardens, or butterfly gardens (or as specimens in containers). Reaching 2 to 5 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide, these plants serve well in the middle or the back of perennial borders. Pair with companions such as Japanese anemones, other natives such as biennial brown-eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia triloba ), goldenrods such as Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks,’ or with fellow herbs like garlic, chives, oregano, and thyme .
What is a hyssop?
Stemming from a long history of medicinal use by Native Americans, Anise Hyssop is a versatile, aromatic, culinary, healing herb. It has many uses in the garden and the kitchen. The flowers' nectar attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Meanwhile, birds tend to eat any seeds left on the stalks toward the end of fall. Both flowers and leaves offer an intense licorice scent and taste. Crumble aromatic leaves in salads, use them to make jellies, steep them in herbal tea (as the Cheyenne tribe has done to relieve depression), or incorporate them in potpourris. Sprinkle seeds in cookie, muffin, or biscotti mix; dried leaves can be used as a seed substitute for similar licorice flavor. Fresh flowers make interesting additions to bouquets. Hang these blooming spikes upside down or let them dry naturally on the plant to add to dried floral arrangements .
What does Anise Hyssop smell like?
Instead, Anise Hyssop leaves emit a scent more similar to basil or French tarragon. Unscented flower spikes are typically blue-lavender to purple, depending on the variety, on upright stems adorned with dull green leaves. Each leaf is four inches long with toothed margins akin to the aesthetic of common mint.
How tall does Blue Blazes anise hyssop grow?
Plants grow about 3 feet tall and not as bushy as some other kinds of anise hyssop. 'Black Adder’ has dark buds and red-violet flowers. It grows less quickly and robustly than other species. ‘Blue Blazes’ is a tall hybrid of A. foeniculum and Agastache ‘Desert Sunrise.’.
Does Anise Hyssop like sun?
Anise Hyssop prefers full sun. It may grow in partial shade but will get lanky without enough sunlight.
Is anise hyssop a pimpinella?
Willowpix / iStock / Getty Images Plus. Contrary to its common name, Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is neither anise ( Pimpinella anisum) nor hyssop ( Hyssopus officinalis). Even so, like hyssop, it is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Leaves give off a subtle scent similar to that of anise, though the chemical anethole in true anise ...
How long does it take for an anise hyssop to germinate?
Seed starting indoors: Seeds can be started indoors about 8 weeks before the average date of the last spring frost. Seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days. Transplanting to the garden: Set out anise hyssop seedlings when all risk of frost is passed.
When to transplant anise hyssop seedlings?
Transplanting to the garden: Set out anise hyssop seedlings when all risk of frost is passed.
How long are anise hyssop leaves?
Leaves: Anise hyssop has rich green leaves (nearly white underneath). Leaves are broadly oval and pointed to 3 inches long; they are sharply toothed with a quilted surface. Leaves grow from mint-like square stems.
What is the flavor of anise hyssop?
Leaves: Add fresh leaves and flowers to salads for a mild, minty licorice flavor. Use leaves and flowers with fresh or baked fruit, cakes, cookies, teas, squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
How big does anise hyssop get?
Plant form and size: Anise hyssop grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide. It is branched at the top. Flowers: Anise hyssop has showy spikes of purplish-blue and lavender florets; flowers have a strong scent of anise and peppermint. Bloom time: Anise hyssop blooms from summer to fall.
When to harvest anise hyssop?
When to harvest: Harvest anise hyssop leaves using a snip or scissors as needed but before flower buds open. Leaves have their best flavor just before the plant flowers.
Where does anise hyssop come from?
Anise hyssop is a small perennial herb native to the middle of North America. Anise hyssop has a flavor similar to anise and belongs to the same botanical family as hyssop, but it is not a cross between the two. Its licorice-flavored leaves and seeds can be used in teas, salads, and cooking.
