Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is an herb that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis).

This plant is commonly known as hyssop.

This is a semi-evergreen plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: hyssop
Scientific name: Hyssopus officinalis
Plant type: Herbs, Perennials
Habit: Bushy
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Loam
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden, Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Ground Cover
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators

Seasonal colors

How to plant Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) – K.vliet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a plant that prefers to grow in chalk or loam.

• The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Hyssopus officinalis likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.

Sunlight

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) – Sten, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons