Hyssop in the Garden - How to Grow and Use Hyssop

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a hearty perennial shrub in the mint family that has a spiky, upright habit and narrow tongue-like leaves. It's a dark, vibrant green when it gets enough nourishment, and sports small, vibrant blue flowers (some variations produce pink, lavender, purple or white flowers). It has an attractive appearance in the garden, but where it really shines is as an herbal remedy. It's also a flavorful addition to salads, soups and stews.

Bees love hyssop and it's also a favorite with butterflies and hummingbirds. As a companion plant, it can help keep a few unsavory visitors from the garden too. It repels flea beetles and cabbage moths, so keep it around your cabbage crops and grape vines.

Suggestions for How to Grow Hyssop

Hyssop loves hot, strong sunlight and plenty of it. It needs well drained soil and likes dryer conditions. If you have a rocky spot that bakes in the afternoon sun, it's probably a good location for a hyssop bush as long as you loosen the soil well and add some sand. Growing to about two and a half feet tall and 15 inches across, hyssop has narrow, upright, woody stems. Hyssop is drought tolerant once established, but requires watering when immature and during hot, dry spells.

Plant seedlings 18 inches apart, and 12 inches apart if you would like to train your plants into a border hedge. As herbs go, hyssop is one of those reliable performers season after season. The plant gets rangier and woodier as time goes by, so plan on replacing plants every four years or so. If it's happy, hyssop will easily self sow.

Hyssop can also be grown in a pot or planter. Prefer a pot with large drainage holes. Fill the vessel with well draining soil or supplement the soil with looseners like sand and perlite. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Lifting or tipping the pot to determine it's weight can help you evaluate how saturated or dry the soil has become. This will help you establish a good watering schedule if you don't have a moisture meter

Can You Grow Hyssop Indoors?

Yes, hyssop can be grown indoors, but it prefers bright light and good air circulation. Your best option is to start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date and transplant them outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. 

Here are some tips for maintaining hyssop indoors:

• Provide a pot with drainage holes, and avoid using a self-watering pot that may provide too much moisture.
• Use a well-draining potting mix.
• Place the pot in the sunniest location you have available. It should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Supplement with artificial light if natural light is limited or the plant will not survive.
• Allowing the soil to dry somewhat between waterings.
• Provide good air circulation by opening a window or using a fan.

Harvesting Hyssop

Hyssop can be harvested throughout the growing season. Cut the stems just above a leaf node. Avoid taking more than one-third of the plant at a time. To harvest seeds, let the seed pods brown and dry out completely. The seeds will be easy to remove and store in a dry, dark place over the winter months.

Hyssop leaves can be dried for later use. To dry hyssop, tie the stems together in loose bunches and hang them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area. Once the leaves are dry, discard the stems and crumble the leaves. Store them in an airtight container. 

How to Grow Hyssop - Short Summary 

Botanical Name: Hyssop officinalis

Life Cycle: Perennial

Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9

Sowing Recommendations: Direct sow hyssop seeds outdoors in early spring after the danger of frost has passed. Sow the seeds 1/4 inch deep in well-drained soil. 

Alternatively, you can start hyssop seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Transplant the seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

Days to Germination: 10 to 14 days

Soil Requirements: Hyssop prefers well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. 

Moisture and Humidity Needs:  Hyssop is drought tolerant once established, but it benefits from regular watering during hot, dry weather.  It does not need high humidity to thrive.

Light Requirements: Full sun, but tolerates some shade. Hyssop will produce more flowers in full sunlight.

Spacing: 18 inches apart

Days to Maturity: 60 to 70 days

Height at Maturity: 20 to 30 inches

Pests and Diseases: Hyssop is relatively pest and disease resistant. However, it can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions.

Uses and Benefits

Culinary: Hyssop is a versatile herb with a strong, oregano/sage blend of flavor that is often used in soups, stews, and poultry dishes. 

Medicinal: Hyssop has a long history of use in traditional medicine to treat ailments like coughs, colds, bronchitis, and sore throats. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these uses. Hyssop tea: Hyssop can also be used to make tea. In general, it is probably safe for most adults to eat or drink one serving of hyssop tea or to consume the amount of hyssop found in recipes. Please review the warnings listed in the medicinal section below.

Ornamental: Hyssop is a beautiful and attractive plant that can be used in flower borders, rock gardens and cut flower arrangements.

History: Hyssop is native to the Mediterranean. It has been used for centuries as a culinary and medicinal herb. Hyssop is mentioned in the Bible as a plant that was used for purification rituals.

Propagation Methods to Grow

Seed: Hyssop is easily propagated by seed. Sow the seeds outdoors in early spring after the danger of frost has passed.

Cuttings: Hyssop can also be propagated by softwood cuttings taken in the spring or early summer.

Division: Established hyssop plants can be divided in the spring or fall.

Common Names: Hyssop, holy hyssop, blue hyssop, hisop

Seed Longevity: 2 years

Nutritional Value: Hyssop is a good source of vitamins A and C. It also contains iron, calcium, and magnesium.

Companion Planting: To improve pollination and deter pests like flea beetles and cabbage moths companion plant hyssop with the herbs oregano, thyme, and sage, and vegetables like beans, cabbage and tomatoes.

Tips to Help Grow Hyssop

• Hyssop is a low-maintenance herb. Where care is concerned less is more.
• Roots rot easily so don't over water.
• Make sure to give hyssop plenty of bright light.
• To encourage bushier growth and a more attractive plant, pinch back the ste

General Uses for Hyssop

Hyssop leaves are high in volatile oils that give the plant a distinctive camphor scent and slightly bitter taste. Hyssop has been used traditionally in the production of liquors and perfumes. It's has culinary applications both fresh and cooked, but hyssop's strong flavor can be an acquired taste. That said, it's an attractive ornamental herb in the garden that makes a nice backdrop for other herbs and offers some companion planting benefits.

Culinary And Other uses For Hyssop

Hyssop adds a special touch to recipes. Here's how to utilize its fresh and dried forms:

Fresh Hyssop:

Finely chopped, fresh hyssop leaves add savor to soups, stews, and braised meats and fish. Add it late in cooking to retain its distinctive warm, peppery flavor mildly  reminiscent of oregano (and a bit of mint) mixed with something more resinous or bitter, like rosemary or sage. It makes a nice pairing with beans, lentils, and tomato based dishes. It also works well as an aromatic with roasted poultry. 

Another nice advantage to growing hyssop in your garden is that it's available to add fresh salads. Don't overdo it, though. A little goes a long way. Fresh chopped hyssop leaves make an excellent seasoning for herbed butters, either alone or in combination with other herbs like sage or chives.

Dried Hyssop:

Dried hyssop has a more concentrated flavor than its fresh counterpart. The ratio is typically three to one. For every tablespoon of fresh hyssop in a recipe, use one teaspoon of dried hyssop instead.  If you're not familiar with the taste, use hyssop sparingly at first.

Tip: A pinch of dried hyssop will add a welcome bite to your pickle jar, especially if you're brining mixed vegetables. 

As a crafting material, dried hyssop leaves and blossoms can be added to potpourri blends. It's an inspired way to use dried herbs from your garden to enhance the aroma of  rose buds and other potpourri ingredients.

Dried hyssop will retain its flavor for months. Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Medical Uses for Hyssop

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional medicine.  While modern science hasn't fully caught up to its historical reputation, hyssop continues to be explored for its potential health benefits. 

Traditional Medical Applications

Historically, hyssop has been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

• Respiratory problems: Coughs, colds, bronchitis, and sore throat.
• Digestive issues: Intestinal discomfort, gas, and poor appetite.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Folk medicine has used hyssop for bladder and kidney issues.

 Modern Research About Hyssop

The active components of hyssop are thought to be volatile oils, such as pinocamphone and hyssopin.  While the research is ongoing, here are some potential benefits suggested by preliminary studies:

Antibacterial and antifungal properties:  In vitro studies suggest hyssop extracts may have activity against certain bacteria and fungi.

Anti-inflammatory effects:  Early animal studies indicate hyssop may reduce inflammation, potentially helpful for conditions like asthma.

Important Considerations

More research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of hyssop for any specific health condition. One big concern is that hyssop oil can be toxic if ingested and should not be used without medical supervision. Consult with a healthcare professional before using hyssop, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any medications. Some potential side effects of using this herb are: nausea, dizziness and diarrhea.

Hyssop oil is sometimes used in aromatherapy, but can be toxic if ingested and should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Also, people with high blood pressure or epilepsy should avoid this herb.

 
Special Note: Hyssop, a native to the Mediterranean, has been naturalized in the U.S. and Canada. A number of native American plants also go by the name hyssop but aren't related to Hyssopus officinalis. Verify that you have the right plant before you use it.

For More Information:

How to Grow Anise Hyssop From Seed

Hyssop Tea Recipe