Blue Spike

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Fragrant as a summer breeze, Blue Spike anise hyssop blooms with cool, violet-blue spires that carry a crisp anise-citrus perfume from garden air to the fingertips.

Expect slender, upright flower spikes over a tidy mound of aromatic foliage, with a pleasantly crisp, herbal bite that shines in fresh bouquets and aromatic infusions. Grow Blue Spike for its long-lasting color and signature scent—ideal for attracting pollinators while adding a distinctive, anise-forward note to herbal blends and seasonal arrangements.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 6th
Harvest Begins	Sep 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Blue Spike’s anise-citrus scent is sharp and clean—best treated like fresh mint, not cooked into oblivion. Use the flower spikes and tender foliage to perfume cold dishes, infusions, and citrusy sweets where that crisp herbal bite stays vivid.

Best Uses

steeped infusions for a bright anise-herbal tea
garnish for fresh fruit salads and citrus-forward desserts
short-lived aromatic component in cold herb oils or syrup
chopped flower spikes in rice pilaf or grain salads (for fragrance, not heat)

Flavor Profile

cool anise-citrus perfume crisp, herbal bite lightly sweet, clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon orange zest honey vanilla Greek yogurt fresh berries

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Blue Spike plants getting powdery white spots on the leaves, and what should I do?

Powdery mildew commonly appears on Blue Spike as a dusty white coating on leaf surfaces, often after warm days and cooler nights. Remove the worst affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and water at the soil line (not overhead). If it keeps spreading, spray with a labeled fungicide for powdery mildew and repeat according to the label every 5–10 days while conditions are favorable for the disease.

How often should I water Blue Spike during the main growing phase (after seedlings establish)?

After establishment, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Check by feel 2 inches down: if it’s dry there, water; if it stays damp, hold off. During active growth, consistent moisture helps prevent stunted growth and leaf stress, especially in full sun.

When are Blue Spike ready to harvest, and how do I know?

Harvest Blue Spike when the flower spikes are fully formed and show strong blue color with buds opening from the bottom upward. If you wait until almost all buds are open, the stems tend to age faster in the vase—aim for the “bottom buds open, top still tightening” stage. You can expect about 90 days from sowing for harvest readiness, depending on temperature and sunlight.