Plant Database / Herbs / Hyssop
Herbs

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis
Lamiaceae (Mint)

A bitter-minty old-world herb with blue flower spikes that bees adore. Drought-tough once established.

EdiblePerennialDrought-toughPollinatorMedicinal
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Soil
Lean, well-drained
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardiness
Hardy perennial
Height
18–24 in
Spacing
12 in
Days to harvest
Cut as needed

What it is

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is in the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. A bitter-minty old-world herb with blue flower spikes that bees adore. Drought-tough once established.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it low, and give it lean, well-drained soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 12 in apart. Expect roughly Cut as needed. Hardy perennial.

How it's used

Hyssop is used: tea, bitters, seasoning.

🔎 How to identify it

  • Narrow opposite leaves
  • Square woody stems
  • Blue flower spikes

Edibility

PartsLeaves and flowers
UsesTea, bitters, seasoning
CautionStrongly flavored; use sparingly.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.