How to Grow Hyssopus Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Hyssop

Hyssopus plants are a common member of many gardens; they are hardy perennial herbs that reach between 45 and 60 cm in height.

The common name for Hyssopus is Hyssop.

The Hyssop plant has lance shaped leaves, and it blooms with tiny tube flowers of pink, blue, or white flowers towards the end of summer.

Hyssopus officinalis
Hyssopus officinalis - Dwarf hyssop by peganum.

Hyssopus Plant Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Hyssop.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm).
Native: Mediterranean, Central and Eastern Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 10.
Flowers: Late in summer.
Flower Details: Blue, white, pink. Tiny. Tube. Fragrant.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Semi-woody. Dark green. Lance-shaped. Narrow. Oblong.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Before the last frost. Spacing 18 to 36 inches (45 to 90 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: two weeks to two months. Temperature: 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C). Two months in advance. Transplant outdoors in the spring.
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or partial shade. Dry soil. Light soil. Cut back to ground level in the autumn. Drought tolerant. Requires to be divided every four years to maintain vigour. Propagate: by dividing in the spring in cooler areas or the autumn in warmer areas; or from summer cuttings.
Miscellaneous: Used in perfumery to create eau de Cologne. Used in the drink trade to colour Absinthe. The strongly bitterly flavoured Herb Hyssop leaves have many Culinary uses, especially for soups. The herb Hyssop is also used in traditional medicine for the treatment of coughs and as an antiseptic.

How to Grow Hyssop (Hyssopus Plant)

When growing Hyssop, the seeds should be sowed at the start of spring before the last frost. It is best to lightly cover the Hyssop sees once sown.

Hyssop like to grow in a part of the garden that is either sunny or as part shade. Ideally the soil should be light and of a dry nature.

If you plan to first grow Hyssop indoors then they should be started about ten weeks before they are due to be put out in the garden in spring. It will take from two to seven weeks for the seeds to germinate at a temperature of 15 to 21 degrees centigrade. Once ready transplant the Hyssop seedlings about 45 to 90cm apart.

Caring for Hyssop and other Hyssopus Plants in the Garden

Hyssopus plants are fairly easy to maintain, though they should be cut back every autumn, and divided every four years to maintain vigour. Division is also a good way to propagate new Hyssop plants; this is best done in the spring.