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Left: Anise hyssop in the garden in late Summer 2025.
Left: Anise hyssop in the garden in late Summer 2025.
Above: Close-up of flowering Anise hyssop. Image from Johnson's Nursery.
Above: Close-up of flowering Anise hyssop. Image from Johnson's Nursery.
Plant Characteristics
Plant Characteristics
Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:
Partial to full sun with well-drained soil.
Growth Habit/Description:
Height reaches 24-36". In the mint family, it blooms with lavender- or purple-colored flowers in spikes and also has a distinctive licorice scent.
Bloom Season:
Tiny blue to purple flowers begin blooming in June and last until late autumn.
Fall and/or Winter Interest?
Yes. During the fall, it has small flowers with 2-3 rays/petals.
Distribution
Distribution
Habitat: Native to the Midwest and prairies of North America, anise hyssop thrives in landscapes like coastal, meadow, naturalized areas, and slopes/banks. Butterfly, cottage, drought-tolerant, and pollinator gardens are ideal places to implement them.
Native to Arkansas? No
Native to Garland County? No
Endemic to Arkansas? No
Ecological Value
Ecological Value
Host Plant for Caterpillars?
Yes. Anise hyssop is a host plant for Radcliffe's dagger moth, American Lady Butterfly, Common Buckeye, and Skunk moth.
Other Known Ecological Value?
Yes. The nectar and pollen are essential for pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects. The seeds serve as food for birds.
Other Interesting Facts
Other Interesting Facts
Origin of Name: Anise hyssop refers to the aromatic properties of the plant and its relationship to the European hyssop. The two Greek words "Agan" and "Stachys" mean "Much" and "Spike".
Related Plant Species: Anise hyssop can be distinguished from Giant Yellow hyssop by its purple vs. yellow flowers and by its distinctive licorice scent.
Use For Food/Medicine:
Anise hyssop is used for salad, medicine, seasoning, and tea.
References
References
NC State University (No info on writer, date, etc.) Available from: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/agastache-foeniculum/common-name/anise-hyssop/
Missouri Botanical Garden (Owned by the place, so no direct information on publishing, etc.)://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d554
Medina SWCD, c. 2020, Medina (OH), Available from: https://medinaswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Medina-sunny-pollinator-habitat-1-1.pdf
Entry created by Paisley Hillman, September 2025.
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