Plant Details

Hyssopus officinalis

Hyssop

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Hyssopus officinalis.

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Common names

26 names · 20 languages
EnglishYour language
Other languages (19)
Dutch
French
  • Hysope
  • Hysope officinale[1]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • yzop lékařský[1]
Finnish
German
Hungarian
  • kerti izsóp[1]
Italian
  • issopo vero[1]
Japanese
  • ヒソップ[1]
  • ヤナギハッカ[1]
Lithuanian
  • Vaistinis isopas[1]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Hyzop lekarski[1]
Russian
  • Иссоп лекарственный[1]
Slovak
  • yzop lekársky[1]
Slovenian
  • navadni ožepek[1]
Swedish
Ukrainian
  • Гісоп лікарський[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

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] Hyssopus officinalis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • Hyssop — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • Ysop — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • yzop lékařský — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • Hysope officinale — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • ヒソップ — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • ヤナギハッカ — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • isop — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • Иссоп лекарственный — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • iisoppi — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • 牛膝草 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • 牛膝草 — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • 海索草 — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • 海索草 — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • 神香草 — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • 神香草 — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • Hyssop — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • isop — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • navadni ožepek — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • issopo vero — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • Гісоп лікарський — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • Hyzop lekarski — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • kerti izsóp — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • yzop lekársky — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • Vaistinis isopas — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • hisop — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.

General information

Scientific name: Hyssopus officinalis
Accepted name (Kew): Dracocephalum officinale View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Lamiaceae

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

Sources [1]
Also known as: Hyssop
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.46–0.61 m

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

Sources [2]
Spread: 0.3–0.46 m

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

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [2]
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Sources [2]
Growth habit: Clumping, Erect

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

Sources [2]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

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

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Occasionally Dry, Very Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [2]
Soil:
Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky
Sources [2]
pH:
Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [2]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Flowers, Condiment
Edibility rating:
(2)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Essential oil, Fungicide, Hedge, Repellent, Bee forage, Ground cover, Fragrant

Description

Leaves and young shoots of this plant can be eaten raw or added as a seasoning to soups, salads, and other dishes. They have a strong aromatic flavor reminiscent of a mix of sage and mint. Although the plant has become less popular in recent years, it can be used both fresh and dried. The flowers can be eaten raw and are a flavorful addition to salads. The essential oil of this plant is used as a flavoring in food.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/07
Harvest ends: 30/09

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: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Hyssopus officinalis L., name ID 102273, row 726522; Dracocephalum officinale (L.) Y.P.Chen & B.T.Drew, name ID 3304211, row 930197
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 105323; name ID 102239; Hyssopus L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Hyssopus officinalis — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .