I first met anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) on a warm late summer afternoon, helping my friend finish up her CSA harvest so we could dash off for ice-creams. Despite its name, anise hyssop isn’t part of the anise or hyssop families; it’s actually a member of the Lamiaceae family, better known as the mint family. This plant stands between two and four feet tall, with a neat, upright growth pattern. From June to September, it bursts into bloom with vibrant lavender flowers arranged in verticillasters—basically, flowers that form a false whorl.
My affection for this herb began quite by chance, but I’m on a mission to make more gardeners fall for it. When a plant like anise hyssop offers multiple benefits, it becomes a staple in my garden. I’m convinced that more folks should be growing this underrated herb.
If you haven’t considered planting anise hyssop yet, here are eight convincing reasons to give it a go.
What is Anise Hyssop?
Anise hyssop, Agastache foeniculum, is a herbaceous perennial native to much of North America. With blue flowers and fragrant foliage, it’s a great choice for both ornamental and herb gardens. This plant, part of the mint family (Lamiaceae), thrives in USDA zones 3 to 8 and is commonly found in prairies and dry upland forests.
The plant typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide, with square stems and opposite, toothed leaves. The leaves, which can be up to four inches long, have a whitish underside and sometimes a purplish tint on new growth. They have a licorice-like scent and can be used in herbal teas, jellies, salads, and potpourri.
By midsummer, anise hyssop produces dense spikes of tiny flowers in blue, white, or purple. These flowers bloom through fall and are packed in showy verticillasters. Each tubular flower has two lips and four stamens ending in blue-purple anthers.
Anise hyssop is not only attractive but also useful. It has a variety of culinary and medicinal applications, and its vibrant flowers and aromatic leaves add both beauty and practicality to any garden.
8 Towering Benefits of Growing Anise-Hyssop for Pollinators and People
Here are my favorite reasons!
1: To Attracts Pollinators
This delightful plant isn’t just a visual treat with its charming purple blossoms; it’s also a crucial source of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. If you’re planning a pollinator-friendly garden, you absolutely need to include anise hyssop.
When the flowers burst into bloom, the garden becomes a bustling hub for pollinators. They flock to the flowers daily, aiding in the pollination of fruits and vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers. More pollinators translate to a healthier, more productive garden!
Here’s a fun fact to wow your gardening friends: a study by the Mt. Cuba Center in Pennsylvania awarded anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) and the hybrid ‘Blue Fortune’ top marks for attracting bees. On the other hand, the ‘Golden Jubilee’ variety, with its bright lime-yellow leaves, was a total letdown.
2: Versatile in Garden Design
Anise hyssop is a versatile plant that fits beautifully into various garden settings, including the middle or back of perennial borders, native or wildflower gardens, cottage gardens, and herb gardens. It’s also well-suited for meadows and prairies. You can grow it in masses, drifts, or small clumps, and it pairs nicely with other native plants like biennial brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) and goldenrods such as Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’. Its vibrant foliage offers a striking contrast against purple-leaved plants.
Anise hyssop also looks fantastic with purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), bee balm (Monarda spp.), false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), and native grasses. In perennial gardens, it pairs well with globe thistle (Echinops ritro), Japanese anemones, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), and plants with purple foliage like Euphorbia dulcis ‘Chameleon’ or purple-leaved heucheras.
You can use anise hyssop in mixed or perennial borders, and it also thrives in containers, either alone or combined with other plants. In mixed beds, it complements Verbena bonariensis and various annuals and perennials beautifully. The chartreuse foliage of the ‘Golden Jubilee’ cultivar provides an excellent color contrast with other green or purple-leaved plants.
3: To Critter-Proof Your Garden
Gardening can be a real challenge when deer and rabbits decide to feast on your plants. But here’s a little secret: anise hyssop. Its potent aroma and flavor naturally repel these unwelcome visitors. Placing it near the plants you want to protect creates a natural barrier that keeps those furry intruders at bay. On top of that, anise hyssop is incredibly tough—it resists pests like aphids and stays healthy without falling prey to diseases like powdery mildew. It’s the perfect low-maintenance addition to any garden.
4: Low Maintenance Makes Gardening Easy
If you’re like me and prefer low-maintenance plants, anise hyssop is perfect for you. This hardy perennial is incredibly easy to grow and requires minimal care. It thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and is both drought-tolerant and resistant to pests.
Plant it in well-draining soil in a sunny spot, and you’re good to go. It doesn’t have the aggressive spreading habits of mint, so you won’t have to worry about it taking over your garden. A simple pruning in the spring is usually all it takes to keep this plant happy and thriving. It even has the resilience to bounce back after a hard prune, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
5: To Add Fresh Taste to Your Dishes
One of the first things you’ll notice about anise hyssop is its unique flavor profile. The leaves and seeds add a hint of licorice-like sweetness to various dishes. Think of it as a blend of anise and mint with a splash of citrus—perfectly versatile!
You can use the leaves to flavor teas, salads, and even baked goods. Imagine biting into a homemade loaf of bread with that subtle anise hyssop infusion—pure bliss! The seeds can also be sprinkled on top of dishes for an extra kick of texture and flavor. Its taste is somewhat like Thai basil or tarragon, making it a unique yet familiar addition to your culinary toolkit.
6: Medicinal Benefits
Anise hyssop, beyond its place in the kitchen, has a rich history of medicinal use. This plant has been a staple in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native Americans. Brewed into tea, anise hyssop serves as a remedy for congestion, acting as an expectorant by clearing mucus from the lungs and airways.
With its sweet, licorice-like flavor, anise hyssop is both soothing and warming. As an antibacterial agent, it’s effective in relieving coughs, colds, and other respiratory issues. Historically, it was used biblically as an aromatic herb for purification and healing, offering an uplifting and sacred energy.
- Respiratory Relief: Alleviates chest congestion, coughs, colds, bronchitis, and asthma.
- Antibacterial and Antiviral: Helps combat diseases and infections.
- Digestive Aid: Addresses digestive and intestinal problems, including urinary tract infections.
- Liver and Gallbladder Support: Eases issues related to gas, colic, loss of appetite, and poor circulation. It also helps with menstrual cramps.
- Skin Treatment: Beneficial for skin conditions such as bruises, irritations, rashes, burns, and frostbite.
7: For a Long Season of Beautiful Blooms in the Garden
Anise-hyssop is celebrated for its ornamental appeal, featuring a neat habit and lovely flowers that enhance any landscape. This plant blooms for nearly two months, adding vibrant color to the garden. Even after the blooming season ends, anise-hyssop continues to be beneficial. If you let the plants overwinter and wait until spring to prune, the seeds will feed small birds during the colder months. This keeps your garden lively and supports wildlife throughout the year.
8: Anise Hyssop is a Native of North America
Anise hyssop, a native plant, is quite resilient and typically free from diseases. Once it’s settled, it stands up well to drought and deer tend to leave it alone. From the Canadian prairies down to the southern U.S., anise hyssop flourishes without turning into an invasive species. Traditionally, First Nations people have used it for medicinal purposes, and it might even serve as a promising native cash crop in Canada. By cultivating anise hyssop, you’re bolstering biodiversity and aiding native species.
Anise Hyssop Uses & Recipe Ideas
Anise-Hyssop Herbal Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fresh anise-hyssop leaves (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 2 cups water
- Honey or your favorite sweetener (optional)
- Lemon slices (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Anise-Hyssop: If you’re using fresh leaves, give them a good rinse to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with a clean towel.
- Boil Water: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan.
- Steep the Leaves: Once the water reaches a boil, remove it from the heat. Add the anise-hyssop leaves to the water. Cover the pan and let it steep for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to fully infuse.
- Strain the Tea: After steeping, use a fine mesh strainer to remove the leaves from the tea. Pour the strained tea into your favorite mug.
- Sweeten and Serve: If you like your tea sweet, stir in a bit of honey or your preferred sweetener. For a refreshing twist, add a slice of lemon.
- Enjoy: Sit back, relax, and savor your homemade anise-hyssop herbal tea!
Make Delicious Anise-Hyssop Lemonade
Sweetened with an anise hyssop simple syrup, this lemonade is incredibly fragrant.
Ingredients:
- 1 handful (about 20 leaves) anise hyssop
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 2-3 cups water
Method:
- Combine the anise hyssop leaves, honey, and water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring continuously to dissolve the sugar. Once it reaches a boil, remove from heat and let it steep for 30 minutes. After steeping, strain out the anise hyssop leaves and refrigerate the syrup until you’re ready to use it.
- To make lemonade, pour lemon juice and the anise hyssop syrup into a pitcher. Add 2-3 cups of water, adjusting to your taste. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator. Serve over ice with additional lemon slices for garnish.
Ideas for Incorporating Anise Hyssop
- Salads: Chop up the leaves and sprinkle them over your favorite salads for a fresh, licorice-like flavor.
- Marinades: Crush the leaves using a mortar and pestle, then add them to marinades for meats, tofu, or vegetables.
- Falafel Wraps: Finely chop the leaves and mix them into falafel wraps for an extra burst of flavor.
- Soups and Gazpachos: Add whole anise hyssop leaves to hot soups and gazpachos while cooking to infuse them with their distinctive taste.
- Herb Butter: Blend chopped anise hyssop leaves into softened butter to create a unique herb butter. Perfect for spreading on bread or melting over cooked vegetables.
- Spiced Salt Blend: Dry and crumble the leaves, then mix them with sea salt to make a spiced salt blend. This can be used to season a variety of dishes.
