Hyssop Plant

Hyssop is a genus of herbaceous and semi-woody plants, that includes about 10 to 12 species, which are native to Mediterranean and Central Asia. The plants of the genus hyssop belongs to the family, Lamiaceae or the mint family. This garden herb is known for its aromatic leaves and flowers, which are not only used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages, but also have been used for a long time in traditional medicine, especially for their expectorant qualities. The leaves are generally used to make tea, which is then used along with honey to alleviate respiratory disorders and cough. The medicinal properties of the plant can be mainly attributed to the highly aromatic and volatile oil present in its leaves, stems and flowers. The most widely recognized species of hyssop is, Hyssopus officinalis. The commonly found anise hyssop plants are also a member of the family, Lamiaceae, but belongs to the genus of Agastache.

Hyssop Description

It is a perennial garden herb with erect and slender, semi-woody stem, that can grow up to a height of about 60 cm. The leaves are small and narrow and are oblong in shape. They can reach a length of about 2 to 5 cm, and are found to be arranged oppositely on the stem. The plant produces flowers from July to October, i.e. from the summer to fall. The flowers appear in a small cluster or whorls, set along the upper portion of the stem.

The blossoms are usually purple-blue, red, white or light pink in color. The flowers can attract a large number of bees, butterflies and hoverflies, due to their strong scent. The plant is generally grown as a border plant within a herb garden, and is regarded to be ideal for growing along with cabbages. It can attract white butterflies or thereby keep them away from cabbage, which in turn, can help to control the damage caused by white butterfly caterpillars to cruciferous crops including, cabbage.

How to Grow Hyssop Plant?

These plants can be included in both herb and flower gardens as a border plant. They can make excellent edging plants for any garden. Most commonly, the plant is grown from the seeds, which are usually sown in spring. However, cuttings as well as root division can also be used for propagating the plant. For growing hyssop in your garden, choose a site that receives lots of sunlight, as the plant prefers full sun. The soil should be warm and well-drained for growing this plant. The seeds will take about two to three weeks to germinate from the time of sowing.

The seedlings should be planted 40 to 50 cm apart, and about quarter of an inch deep into the soil. Hyssop can also be grown in pots or containers. For growing hyssop in a container, you will need a large container of about 11 to 12 inches, as the plant develops a large and extensive root system. You can prune the plant at regular intervals to give it a bushy look. After the end of the blooming season, when the seeds capsules have dried completely, you can collect the seeds for growing new plants.

The aromatic oil found in the leaves, stems and flowers of this plant is used as an ingredient in liquors like, Benedictine. You can also use the leaves and seeds as a flavoring agent in salads, chicken soup, sauces, meat dishes and vegetable dishes. However, they have a bitter taste, so use only a small amount. Apart from this, the fresh or dried flowers can be used for decorating your home. To sum up, these small and pretty plants can be a great addition to any herb or flower garden, which will surely attract a host of butterflies and bees to your garden and thus, can help to encourage pollination and control pests naturally.