Pollinator plant

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

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Common names

6 names

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

English
Dutch
French
  • Hysope
  • Hysope officinale[3]
German
Italian
  • issopo vero[3]

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

[1] Hyssopus officinalis — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Hyssop — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Hyssopus officinalis.
[2] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • hyssop — Page 4, column 1, row top 322 pt; common-name cell after Hyssopus officinalis.; Hyssopus officinalis.
[3] Hyssopus officinalis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Hyssop — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • Hyssop — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • Ysop — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • Hysope officinale — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
  • issopo vero — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 164026; Hyssopus officinalis.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Catalogue of Life treats Hyssopus officinalis as a synonym of Dracocephalum officinale subsp. officinale.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family
Lamiaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [2]
Mature height
0.46–0.61 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [3]
Mature spread
0.3–0.46 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [3]
Plant habit
Clumping; Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [3]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [3]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [3]
Foliage
Semi-evergreen

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [3]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [3]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry; Very Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [3]
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [3]
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [3]
Flowering season
Autumn; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [3]
Native range
Southern and eastern Europe, Northern Africa, West Asia

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [3]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [3]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Hyssopus officinalis in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Unknown
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous
Size
Small
Dimensions
0.60 m high × 0.60 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
5-10
Moisture
Moist, Well-drained
Soil
Sandy, Loamy
pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Flowers, Seasoning
Functions
Essential oil, Fungicide, Hedge, Repellent, Pollinator plant, Ground cover, Fragrant
Edibility
2 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

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.

Sources and references

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

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Hyssopus officinalis — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2246524; ID 6MT5F; rank species; status synonym

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Dracocephalum officinale subsp. officinale — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 4593002; ID CD7P2; rank subspecies; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 4593002; ID CD7P2; rank subspecies; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  3. NC State Extension Hyssopus officinalis — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 4, column 1, entry Hyssopus officinalis (top 322 pt)

    Source checked on .