Herb · Lamiaceae family

Anise hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

Full sun to part shade 0.5–1.5 m × 0.1–0.9 m Flowers July–October to −34 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
Size0.5–1.5 m
spacing 45 cm
FlowersJuly–October
PlantingMarch–May
Care levelLow maintenance

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
dry to averagesandyloamy

Watering

do not waterlogless when it rains

Frost

−34 °C

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

50 cm1 m1.5 m0.5–1.5 mspread 0.1–0.9 m
0.5–1.5 m× spread 0.1–0.9 m

Plant 45 cm apart.

How to plant: singly, 45 cm apart

The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlanting
Now, in October: nothing to do — the next job is in March.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July–October · blue or purple

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

division: March–May

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

What you will see

Softening of the crown and roots; the plant wilts and browns despite watering.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Free-draining soil, no waterlogging (especially in winter).
    • Do not plant too deep.
  2. By hand at the first symptomsDig up the affected plant; improve the soil with drainage; do not replant in the same place.
Root and crown rotdisease

What you will see

Softening of the crown and roots; the plant wilts and browns despite watering.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Free-draining soil, no waterlogging (especially in winter).
    • Do not plant too deep.
  2. By hand at the first symptomsDig up the affected plant; improve the soil with drainage; do not replant in the same place.
More about this problem

What you will see

Small orange-brown pustules on the underside of leaves.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Allow space and air flow; do not plant too densely.
    • Do not water the leaves; avoid prolonged wetness.
  2. By hand once noticedCut off and destroy affected leaves.
Rustsdisease

What you will see

Small orange-brown pustules on the underside of leaves.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Allow space and air flow; do not plant too densely.
    • Do not water the leaves; avoid prolonged wetness.
  2. By hand once noticedCut off and destroy affected leaves.
More about this problem

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and stems; leaves curl and dry out.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Sunny, airy position; not in a still spot against a wall.
    • Do not overdo nitrogen (lush young leaves are more susceptible).
    • Water at the roots, not on the leaves.
  2. By hand as soon as the first symptoms appearQuickly cut out affected shoots and burn them or take them away (not to the compost).
  3. Gentle spray at the start of infectionSulphur or fatty acids (potassium soap) according to the label.
  4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only in a heavy attackA product authorised in your country against powdery mildew.
Powdery mildewsdisease

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and stems; leaves curl and dry out.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Sunny, airy position; not in a still spot against a wall.
    • Do not overdo nitrogen (lush young leaves are more susceptible).
    • Water at the roots, not on the leaves.
  2. By hand as soon as the first symptoms appearQuickly cut out affected shoots and burn them or take them away (not to the compost).
  3. Gentle spray at the start of infectionSulphur or fatty acids (potassium soap) according to the label.
  4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only in a heavy attackA product authorised in your country against powdery mildew.
More about this problem

What you will see

Brown to black spots on leaves; leaves turn yellow early.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Remove old leaves before they infect the new season.
    • Do not wet the leaves when watering; keep the plant unstressed.
  2. By hand after the first spots; in autumnRemove affected leaves at once and destroy them; collect fallen leaves in autumn.
Leaf spotsdisease

What you will see

Brown to black spots on leaves; leaves turn yellow early.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Remove old leaves before they infect the new season.
    • Do not wet the leaves when watering; keep the plant unstressed.
  2. By hand after the first spots; in autumnRemove affected leaves at once and destroy them; collect fallen leaves in autumn.
More about this problem
Sources (5)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does anise hyssop flower?

In July–October; the flowers are blue or purple.

Does anise hyssop tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does anise hyssop need?

At maturity 0.1–0.9 m wide and 0.5–1.5 m tall; recommended spacing 45 cm.

Root and crown rot — what can you do?

Free-draining soil, no waterlogging (especially in winter). Dig up the affected plant; improve the soil with drainage; do not replant in the same place.

Rusts — what can you do?

Allow space and air flow; do not plant too densely. Cut off and destroy affected leaves.

Sources (8) Checked 24 October 2026

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