Why You Should Make Space for Hyssop in Your Garden
Hyssop attracts pollinators, offers medicinal benefits, and thrives with little fuss. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your garden.

I’ll be honest—hyssop doesn’t get the fanfare it deserves. It’s not trendy like lavender or flashy like echinacea. But if you’re into practical, hard-working herbs (the kind that do more than just look pretty in a catalog), hyssop absolutely earns its place in your garden.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth growing, let me share what I’ve learned from planting it here on my little slice of Maine.
What Exactly Is Hyssop?
Hyssop is a perennial herb, part of the mint family, and it’s been around forever—used traditionally for everything from flavoring liqueurs to cleansing sacred spaces. It’s not a fussy plant either. Once you get it established, it’s tough, drought-tolerant, and frankly doesn’t ask for much.
The stems are woody at the base, with narrow leaves and tiny flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink, or white. Bees? They love it. Butterflies and hummingbirds, too. If you’re looking to bring more pollinators to your space, hyssop is a safe bet.
Why I Make Room for Hyssop in My Garden (And Why You Might, Too)
Let’s talk about the practical reasons I keep hyssop around—and why you might want to make room for it as well.
It’s Practically a Pollinator Magnet
One of the biggest reasons I grow hyssop is how it pulls in the pollinators. I’m talking bees, butterflies, even the occasional hummingbird. In a garden where every extra pollinator makes a difference, plants like this earn their keep.
Plus, the more bees hanging around my hyssop, the more they’ll wander over to the squash and cucumbers nearby. Win-win.

It’s Got a Long History of Medicinal Use
Hyssop has been used in folk medicine for centuries, especially for respiratory issues. People have brewed it as a tea to help ease coughs, soothe sore throats, and support digestion. Is it a cure-all? No. But it’s another handy herb to have on hand, especially if you lean toward natural remedies.
Just a quick note: If you’re pregnant, nursing, or have certain medical conditions, double-check before using medicinal herbs like hyssop.
It’s Culinary—If You’re Into That Sort of Thing
Truth be told, I don’t reach for hyssop often in the kitchen, but it’s got a place. The leaves and flowers have a minty, slightly bitter flavor that works well in small amounts. Some folks use it to infuse honey or vinegar, flavor liqueurs, or even add a little something extra to roasted meats.
Think of it as a more rugged, herbal cousin to mint and thyme.
It’s Low-Maintenance and Pretty, Too
Once hyssop settles into your garden, it’s easy to care for. It prefers well-drained soil and lots of sunshine but doesn’t need babying. It holds its shape, doesn’t flop all over the place, and adds a nice vertical element with those tall flower spikes.
I’ve found it fits right in alongside other herbs like sage and thyme—low-key, tidy, and quietly beautiful.
If you’re looking for more plants that work just as hard as hyssop, you might enjoy this post on how to improve your garden with permaculture herbs.
Questions You Might Have About Growing Hyssop
If you’re thinking about adding hyssop to your garden, here are a few common questions that might come up.
Put Your Hyssop to Work: Congestion Tea Recipe
One of my favorite ways to put my homegrown hyssop to use is this simple tea for congestion. It’s easy to make, soothing when you’re feeling run down, and a good reminder of why these old-fashioned herbs still deserve a spot in our gardens. I also love having other simple remedies on hand when cold season hits. If you do too, you might appreciate this recipe for the best homemade cough medicine using simple pantry staples.
Here’s how I make it:

Hyssop Congestion Tea
This post may contain paid links. If you make a purchase using the links in this recipe, I may earn a commission.
Equipment
- Tea Infusing Spoon optional
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil.8 oz. Water
- Place the dried hyssop (or fresh, if you have it) into a tea infusing spoon or simply into a heat-safe mug.1 tbsp. Hyssop (dried)
- Pour the boiling water over the herbs, cover, and let steep for about 10 minutes to pull out the beneficial oils.
- Strain if needed, then stir in honey and lemon to taste. Both are optional, but I find they make this tea extra soothing.1 tbsp. Raw Honey, 1 tsp. Lemon
Notes
Nutrition
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Worth the space? For me? Yes. Without question. Hyssop earns its keep here season after season. It supports the pollinators, offers a little herbal medicine when I need it, and doesn’t demand much in return.
If you’ve got a sunny spot and you like plants that work as hard as you do, hyssop is worth a look.
Thanks for spending a little time here with me today. I’m glad we get to share this homesteading life—even the small, herbal parts of it.
From my homestead to yours,
Jessica