Hyssopus officinalis, commonly known as Hyssop, is a fragrant perennial herb that has been cultivated for centuries. This herb, a member of the mint family, is recognized for its woody, bushy habit and spikes of typically blue-violet flowers. Its aromatic qualities have made it a popular choice for ornamental gardening, where it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Hyssop has a long history of use in traditional medicine and culinary applications. The leaves and flowers possess a slightly bitter, minty, and earthy flavor profile, which makes it a unique addition to herbal teas, liqueurs, and savory dishes.
Sourcing Hyssop for Home Cultivation
If you intend to grow Hyssop, you will need seeds or live plants of Hyssopus officinalis. The most reliable sources for true hyssop are specialized online seed catalogs or dedicated herbal nurseries. These retailers ship directly to the consumer and are meticulous about labeling products with the correct botanical name, ensuring you receive the true species.
Seeds are the more economical option, often containing a hundred or more seeds per packet. True hyssop seeds germinate readily and the plant often blooms in its first year. For an immediate presence in the garden, local garden centers and nurseries with strong herb sections may carry live starts in the spring or early summer.
Purchasing a live plant provides a head start on growth, which is beneficial since perennial herbs like hyssop can take a season to fully establish. If buying locally, visit independent nurseries or farmers markets that sell plant starts. Staff at these locations are often more knowledgeable about specific herbal varieties than large chain stores. Always look for the botanical name on the label to confirm the purchase is Hyssopus officinalis.
Retail Sources for Prepared Hyssop Products
For immediate use in tea, cooking, or aromatherapy, look for retail outlets that offer prepared products derived from the plant. Dried hyssop herb is commonly found in health food stores, apothecaries, and specialty online herb shops. These retailers often stock the herb in bulk or packaged as loose-leaf tea, which is used to make infusions thought to support respiratory health.
Large online marketplaces are also a significant source for hyssop products, including dried herbs, supplements in capsule form, and essential oils. When purchasing online, especially for products like essential oil, look for suppliers who provide documentation confirming the species is Hyssopus officinalis and detail the method of extraction, such as steam distillation. Essential oil purity and concentration are important because hyssop oil contains compounds like pinocamphone that require professional guidance for use.
Hyssop is less common than herbs like peppermint or chamomile in grocery stores, but it may be present in the specialty tea or spice aisles of stores that focus on organic or gourmet selections. When selecting a product, examining the ingredient label is important, especially for prepared products like herbal blends or supplements. The label should clearly list Hyssopus officinalis as the active ingredient to ensure the product contains true hyssop.
Ensuring You Select the Correct Hyssop Variety
A frequent point of confusion for consumers is the distinction between true hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis, and a popular alternative, Agastache foeniculum, which is commonly sold as Anise Hyssop or Korean Mint. While both plants belong to the mint family (Lamiaceae), they are botanically different and possess distinct flavor and aromatic profiles. True hyssop has an earthy, slightly bitter, and camphoraceous aroma. Anise hyssop, by contrast, has a pronounced licorice or anise-like scent and flavor. This difference matters significantly, especially in culinary and therapeutic applications, where the sharp, sage-like flavor of true hyssop is not interchangeable with the sweeter, licorice notes of anise hyssop. The most reliable way to ensure the correct purchase is to always verify the botanical name, Hyssopus officinalis, on the packaging.