How to Plant Anise Hyssop Seeds
Anise hyssop, also known as licorice mint, is a dramatic plant that can grow to a height of 5 feet. Grown in the back of a herb garden or flower bed, anise hyssop provides a backdrop of lush green foliage and spiky lavender blooms. Although the plant is ornamental, it has a number of practical uses. Add the leaves to salads or meat dishes, or blend the blooms into fresh bread. Anise hyssop tea, which tastes similar to licorice, can be used to treat colds, coughs and fevers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Anise hyssop seeds
- Planting containers
- Potting soil
- Plastic bags or clear plastic sheets
- Hoe
- Manure or compost
- Airtight container
Instructions
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Plant anise hyssop seeds in early spring. Fill small planting containers or a planting tray with commercial potting soil and spread the anise hyssop seeds on the top of the soil. The seeds are tiny, so cover them with no more than ¼-inch of potting soil.
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Put the planting containers in plastic bags, with the tops of the bags left open. If you're planted the seeds in a planting tray, cover the tray with a sheet of clear plastic.
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Place the planting containers in a warm place but out of direct sunlight. When the seedlings emerge in about a week, remove the plastic and put the seedlings in a sunny window until the seedlings can be moved outdoors in the spring, after the last frost of the season.
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Choose a sunny, well-drained spot in a herb garden or flower bed and prepare the soil for planting. Remove weeds with a hoe, and rake several shovelfuls of rotted manure or compost into the top 3 or 4 inches of the soil.
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Plant the seedlings and water them lightly. Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season. Otherwise, the plants won't continue blooming into autumn.
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Harvest the leaves as needed for tea or for use in the kitchen. To dry the plant, cut them near the ground and hang the plants upside down in a warm, well-ventilated place. Once the plants are dry, strip the leaves from the leaves and store them in an airtight container.
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Tips & Warnings
Anise hyssop plants may need to be staked to keep them from falling over in windy conditions. Drive a wooden stake into the ground and tie the plant to the stake loosely with soft twine or a strip of pantyhose. You can also plant the anise hyssop next to a building or among other tall plants.
