Photo: Liren VargheseCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Anise Hyssop Plant Care
Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's long, slender, serrated leaves emit a strong anise scent when brushed against, originating from North America. Plant collectors are drawn to Agastache foeniculum for its striking blue-purple flowers and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Anise Hyssop?
Water Anise Hyssop every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Anise Hyssop Native To?
What Is the Anise Hyssop?
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Agastache genus. Anise Hyssop is native to much of northern North America. Anise Hyssop is also known as Blue Giant Hyssop, Giant Hyssop, Fennel Hyssop.
Anise Hyssop displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Anise Hyssop produces spiky clusters of tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or blue.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Anise Hyssop?
Agastache foeniculum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Anise Hyssop Need?
Anise Hyssop thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Anise Hyssop Prefer?
Agastache foeniculum grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Anise Hyssop prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Anise Hyssop?
Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Anise Hyssop to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Anise Hyssop?
Feed Anise Hyssop every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Anise Hyssop?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Anise Hyssop?
Anise Hyssop can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to korean mint plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Anise Hyssop Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Anise Hyssop, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Anise Hyssop?
Anise Hyssop is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Anise Hyssop Need?
Anise Hyssop grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Anise Hyssop is native to much of northern North America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Anise Hyssop is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Agastache genus — compare its care with other Agastache species on PlantoScan.
Agastache is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Anise Hyssop thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Agastache Species
Other Agastache species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze, family Lamiaceae (first published in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 511 (1891)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Anise Hyssop, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Liren Varghese, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Anise Hyssop Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species