More Information
| Botanical Name |
Hyssopus officinalis |
| Seeds Per Pack |
50 |
| Life Cycle |
Perennial |
| Min. Time to Germinate |
4 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate |
21 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds |
Surface Sow; press seeds gently into the soil to make good contact, but do not cover with any additional soil; these seeds require light to germinate |
| When to Sow |
Indoors 4-6 weeks before last spring frost, Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past |
| Growing Height |
18-24 in. (45-60 cm) |
| Plant Spacing |
18-24 in. (45-60 cm) |
| Hardiness |
USDA Zone 3a: to -35F, USDA Zone 3b: to -30F, USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F, USDA Zone 9a: to 25F, USDA Zone 9b: to 30F, USDA Zone 10a: to 35F, USDA Zone 10b: to 40F, USDA Zone 11a: to 45F, USDA Zone 11b: to 50F |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun |
| Danger |
N/A |
| Bloom Color |
Violet/Lavender |
| Bloom Time |
Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Fall, Mid-Summer |
| Foliage |
Aromatic, Herbaceous |
| Other Details |
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater, Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping, Flowers are fragrant, This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds |
| Soil pH Requirements |
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline), 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) |
| Propagation Methods |
By dividing the rootball, From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall, From seed; sow indoors before last frost |
| Seed Collecting |
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds, Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry |
Hyssop is often seen in the herb garden as an attractive, compact, 2 ft. tall hedge plant. Showy, violet-blue flower spikes bloom from July to November. Flowers are loved by honeybees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Narrow dark green leaves are slightly bitter, minty, and tasty in small amounts in salads, soups, and stews. Medicinally, hyssop is used as a gargle for sore throat. The oil obtained from the leaves are used to make herbal baths and facials. It is also used to flavor pork, chicken, soups, teas and stuffing.
Hyssop was well-established in English gardens by the 1400's, and was brought to America by early colonists. Thomas Jefferson listed Hyssop among plants for his kitchen garden in 1794.
