Anise Hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

herb

Anise Hyssop is a fragrant native perennial in the mint family, with violet-purple flower spikes from early summer through fall and licorice-mint leaves that make a wonderful tea. Identified by the Xerces Society as one of the top pollinator plants, the spikes draw bumblebees, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects all season long.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Tomatoes — Pollinator-attracting flowers improve tomato fruit set
• Squash — Brings bumblebees that pollinate squash blossoms
• Cabbage — Hosts parasitic wasps that hunt cabbage worms
• Lavender — Drought-tolerant garden partner that pairs visually and feeds the same pollinators

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Powdery mildew →

  Site in full sun with good airflow; thin crowded clumps every few years

• Root rot →

  Avoid soggy soil; site on a slight slope or in a raised bed if drainage is poor

• Spider mites →

  Rinse foliage during dry spells; spider mites are mostly a hot-dry-season problem

• Deer →

  Deer mostly avoid Anise Hyssop because of the strong aromatic foliage

🌾 Harvest & storage

Harvest leaves at any time the plant is well established. For tea or drying, cut stems just before full bloom when the essential oils peak; bundle and hang in a dark airy place for 7 to 10 days. The flowers themselves are edible and beautiful in salads, infused syrups, and as cake decorations.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Pollinator value: Anise Hyssop is among the top nectar producers in the perennial garden, supporting bumblebees, honey bees, and hummingbirds from early summer through fall. The leaves brew into a sweet anise-mint tea rich in essential oils traditionally used as a mild digestive.