Plant Details

Agastache foeniculum

Anise hysop

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Agastache foeniculum.

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Common names

26 names · 18 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Anise hysop
  • anise hyssop[2]
  • Blue giant hyssop[1][2]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Lavender hyssop[2]
Other languages (17)
Dutch
  • Anijsnetel
  • Dropnetel[2]
  • Dropplant[2]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Koreaanse munt
French
  • agastache fenouil[2]
  • Hysope anisée
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Cree
  • kâ-wîkipakâhk[2]
Czech
  • Agastache anýzová[2]
Danish
  • indianermynte[2]
Estonian
  • aniisi-hiidiisop[2]
Finnish
  • yrtti-iiso[2]
German
Hungarian
  • ánizsillatú izsópfű[2]
Japanese
  • シロバナカワミドリ[2]
Ojibwe
  • Weza’wûnûckwûk’[2]
Polish
  • Kłosowiec fenkułowy[2]
Russian
  • Многоколосник фенхельный[2]
Slovak
  • agastacha feniklová[2]
Swedish
Sources & name notes (2)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Anis-Riesenysop (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 159726; taxon 5TQ7D.
  • Blue giant hyssop (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 159727; taxon 5TQ7D.
[2] Agastache foeniculum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • anise hyssop — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • agastache fenouil — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • yrtti-iiso — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • Lavender hyssop — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • Blue Giant Hyssop — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • シロバナカワミドリ — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • aniisi-hiidiisop — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • Многоколосник фенхельный — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • Dropnetel — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • Dropplant — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • Weza’wûnûckwûk’ — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • anisisop — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • kâ-wîkipakâhk — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • indianermynte — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • Kłosowiec fenkułowy — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • Agastache anýzová — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • ánizsillatú izsópfű — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • 茴藿香 — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • Anis-Duftnessel — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • Anis-Riesenysop — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • 茴藿香 — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.
  • agastacha feniklová — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 158076; Agastache foeniculum.

General information

Scientific name: Agastache foeniculum
Accepted name (Kew): Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Lamiaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Agastache (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Anise hysop
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.91–1.52 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.46–0.91 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: None
Growth habit: Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky
Sources [3]
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Tea
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
Bee forage

Description

Leaves and flowers can be eaten both raw and cooked, and are often used to enhance the flavor of dishes. When eaten raw, they have a delightful sweet, anise-like taste, making them perfect for salads. They can also be cooked and added to dishes, especially with sour fruits. Be aware that the leaves can be somewhat drying in the mouth, so they should be consumed in small quantities. You can also make a flavorful tea from these leaves.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/07
Harvest ends: 15/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 922816; name ID 4441; Agastache J.Clayton ex Gronov.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 949161; name ID 4454; Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Agastache foeniculum

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1768290, ID 5TQ7D: Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Agastache foeniculum — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .