Grow the beautiful, flowering herb “Hyssop,” from freshly harvested Hyssopus officinalis herb seeds. Hyssop is considered an herb, however you will soon see that it makes an attractive flower as well. The plants are often categorized as a mint, producing a strong fragrance which attracts an array of beneficial insects to the garden. Used in insectaries and butterfly gardens, Hyssop will likely attract butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees and humming birds as well. The plants themselves reach a mature height of roughly 24 inches tall, displaying pale purple flowers through the summer months.
Grown as a perennial flowering herb, Hyssop will establish a deep root system in its initial year of growth. The plants wither on the surface, with the first frost, but return the following Spring after all danger of frost has passed. The seeds can be allowed to fall to the bare ground beneath, to establish new plant life as well. You can even collect the seeds from the spent blooms in the late Autumn season.
Hyssop is widely cultivated as a culinary herb. Its young leaves have sort of a minty flavoring, and are very aromatic. Both the leaves and flowers of Hyssop herbs are edible and are often times added to salads and soups. The leaves can flavor pork, chicken, soups, teas and stuffing.
Quick Facts
- Type: Herb
- Season: Perennial
- Heirloom: Yes
- Color: Violet
- Height: 24″ Tall
- Width: 12″ to 18″ Spread
- Harvest: 85 to 90 Days
- Uses: Culinary / Medicinal
- Environment: Full Sunlight / Partial Shade
Sowing The Seed
Hyssop herbs can be established indoors, or directly outdoors as well. If started indoors, sow in peat pots, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost, at a depth of 1/16″ under topsoil. Avoid burying the seeds, since they will require a bit of direct sunlight to properly germinate. Transplant or direct sow outdoors when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed.
Growing Conditions
Hyssop herbs will thrive in an area of full sunlight or partial shade. They will require temperatures of at least 70F to germinate and grow successfully. The soil should be fertile and rich in organic matter, but also well drained. To increase drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to areas containing hard, compact soil. Water daily with a mist setting, until germination occurs.
Germination & Growth
Hyssop seeds will typically germinate within roughly 7 to 10 days after sowing, if proper conditions are met. The plants will grow to a mature height of about 24 inches tall, and can be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart from one another. The plants can attract an array of beneficial insects to the garden with their strong fragrance. The leaves and flowers are used sparingly in soups and salads.