White Hyssop

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

A hush of summer fragrance—White Hyssop blooms in airy, upright spikes that perfume the garden with a cool, clean sweetness.

The foliage is aromatic and finely textured, with a crisp, herbal bite that shines in drying and fragrant infusions, and the pale flowers add a delicate, floral note to teas and tincture-style preparations. Grow 'Albus' for a long season of elegant white blossoms and a dependable, cut-and-come-again herb that looks as refined as it smells.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 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 13th
Harvest Begins	Aug 27th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

White Hyssop ’Albus’ is all about that cool, minty-anise snap with a faint floral lift from the blossoms—think aromatic, not chewy. Use it as a short steep or quick garnish so the fragrance stays crisp instead of turning medicinal.

Best Uses

stirred into hot or cold tea as a clean fragrance infusion
dried for winter herb blends and tincture-style preparations
finishing garnish on fruit compotes and light syrups
steeping in vinegar or honey for a perfumed, lightly medicinal edge

Flavor Profile

cool, sweet herbal aroma crisp minty-anise bite delicate pale-floral top note

Kitchen Pairings

honey lemon black tea white wine vinegar elderflower goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects white hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), and how can I treat it?

Hyssop in the Lamiaceae family is prone to powdery mildew when air circulation is poor and leaves stay damp. Remove and discard infected foliage, water at the soil line (not overhead), and space plants so they have good airflow; if it’s widespread, use an appropriate fungicide labeled for powdery mildew on ornamentals/herbs and follow the label intervals. Watch also for aphids on new growth—blast them off with water and apply insecticidal soap if needed.

How often should I water white hyssop during the main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the soil consistently lightly moist but never soggy—about 1 inch of water per week is a good target, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root stress and mildew-friendly conditions. Once established, hyssop tolerates drier spells, but don’t let it go completely dry for long periods while it’s forming lots of new shoots.

How do I know when white hyssop is ready to harvest (about 75 days to maturity)?

Harvest when plants have developed strong stems and plenty of fresh leaves, typically around 70–80 days after sowing depending on conditions. For best flavor, pick leafy tops just as flower buds start to form (or at first bloom), before the plant becomes woody. If you’re harvesting for drying, choose a dry morning and cut non-flowering or lightly budded sprigs so they dry well without browning.