Anise hyssop

Planting anise hyssop

Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost or direct sow in spring. Seed needs light, so press it into the surface without covering.

Planting details

• Spacing: 18 to 24 inches
• Blooms the first year from an early start
• Short-lived perennial that self-sows to persist

Growing requirements

Anise hyssop needs full sun and sharply drained soil. Wet winter ground kills it faster than cold does, so raised beds and lean soil suit it best.

Harvesting and care

Snip leaves and flower spikes for tea through summer. Deadhead for more bloom, but leave some late spikes for goldfinches and self-sown seedlings.

Common mistakes

• Heavy clay or wet soil, which rots the crown over winter
• Covering the seed, which blocks the light it needs
• Rich soil and feeding, which grow floppy stems that lodge in storms

Companion plants

Plant it with coneflowers, bee balm, and other pollinator perennials, or at the sunny edge of a vegetable bed to draw bees in.