How to Successfully Grow Anise Hyssop from Seed

With its licorice-scented foliage and bee-attracting blooms, anise hyssop is a delightful herb for gardens. Growing anise hyssop from seed is an easy and affordable way to add this plant to your yard. Here is a complete guide to sowing and cultivating anise hyssop from seed.

An Overview of Anise Hyssop

Before jumping into growing details, let’s cover some anise hyssop basics:

• Perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family Lamiaceae

• Grows 2-4 feet tall with sturdy, square stems

• Features fragrant rich green leaves with a licorice scent

• Produces long spikes of tubular purple, blue, or white flowers

• Native to prairies and open woodlands of central and eastern North America

• Thrives in average, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade

• Extremely attractive to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators

With its ornamental blooms and wildlife appeal, anise hyssop makes an excellent addition to herb gardens, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and more. Now let’s look at how to grow it yourself from seed.

When to Sow Anise Hyssop Seeds

Anise hyssop can be started indoors or directly outdoors depending on your climate:

Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Anise hyssop takes 10-20 days to germinate at soil temperatures of 70°F (20°C). Grow the seedlings under lights until large enough to transplant outdoors after all danger of frost.

Outdoors: Direct sow seeds into prepared garden beds once temperatures are reliably above 60°F. This is usually late spring in most regions. Seeds will germinate in 10-20 days when soil is warm.

You can also sow seeds in late fall for natural winter cold stratification. The seeds will then germinate outdoors next spring.

How to Sow Anise Hyssop Seeds

Follow these steps for sowing anise hyssop seeds either indoors or directly outside:

• Indoors – Fill seed trays or cell packs with moistened, sterile seed starting mix. Sow seeds on the surface of the soil since light aids germination.

• Outdoors – Prepare a seed bed area with loose, weed-free soil. Sow seeds on top of the soil surface.

• Barely cover the tiny seeds with a fine layer of vermiculite or seed starting mix, about 1/8 inch deep. Seeds need light to germinate, so avoid burying them too deeply.

• Water gently to moisten the soil without washing away seeds. Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated.

• Maintain warm soil temperatures around 70°F for best germination. Provide bottom heat if needed.

• Seedlings will emerge in 10-20 days. Thin seedlings or transplant to final spacing of 12-18 inches apart once established.

• Harden off indoor-started plants before transplanting them outside in late spring after the danger of frost has passed.

How to Grow Anise Hyssop from Seedlings

Once your anise hyssop seeds have successfully germinated:

• Keep seedlings under lights or in a sunny window with routine watering. Use fans to strengthen stems.

• Feed with a diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Anise hyssop prefers poor to average fertility soil.

• Transplant into larger containers as the plants grow. Move them outside during the day to harden off.

• Plant outdoors when soil is warm, spacing 12-18 inches apart. Water transplants regularly as they establish.

• Mulch young plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid burying the crown.

• Pinch back tips initially to encourage branching and compact growth habit.

Ongoing Care of Anise Hyssop Plants

To keep your anise hyssop thriving:

• Grow in full sun for prolific flowering and strongest growth. Anise hyssop tolerates partial shade.

• Provide average moisture during the first year for root establishment. Mature plants have good drought tolerance.

• Loosen soil and avoid compacting roots. Prevent standing water which causes root rot.

• Cut plants back by a third after flowering to stimulate a second bloom period.

• Cut back finished flower stems and prune any damaged growth in fall. Mulch plants in cold winter regions.

• Divide congested plants every 2-3 years in spring to rejuvenate.

With proper growing conditions, anise hyssop will generously reward your efforts with months of blossoms and licorice fragrance.

How to Save Anise Hyssop Seeds

To save seeds for future propagation:

• Allow anise hyssop flower stems to fully mature and dry out on the plants during fall.

• Collect dried seed heads once the seeds easily shake free inside. Or place seed heads into paper bags.

• Break apart dry flower heads over a container to catch released seeds. Remove chaff and debris.

• Spread seeds in a single layer on sheets of paper to finish drying. A silica gel desiccant aids drying.

• When thoroughly dry, place seeds in labeled, sealed jars or envelopes in a cool location.

• Stored properly in a dry environment, anise hyssop seeds remain viable for 2-3 years.

Saving your own seeds preserves specific genetics while providing an endless free supply for future growing.

Tips for Success Growing Anise Hyssop from Seed

Follow these tips to boost your seed starting success:

• Always use fresh seeds within the recommended seed life. Stored seeds may have lower germination rates.

• Start more seeds than needed and thin later for the strongest seedlings.

• Time indoor seeding properly so plants are ready for outdoor transplanting on schedule.

• Harden off indoor-started seedlings gradually before transplanting.

• Control weeds and maintain even soil moisture for best establishment.

• Grow in lean, well-draining soil. Avoid over-fertilizing which causes floppy growth.

With proper timing, care, and patience, you can grow bountiful anise hyssop from seed. The aromatic foliage and pollinator-friendly blooms will beautify your garden for years to come.