Little Adder Hyssop

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

1 Foot

Mature Spread

1-2 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

Little Adder Hyssop blooms for weeks longer than other varieties, and stays compact, making it useful to tuck into just about any empty space in the landscape. The fragrant foliage and flowers are absolute magnets for beneficial insects, pollinators, and hummingbirds. The lavender blue flower spikes bloom from early summer to late fall, requiring little maintenance. Little Adder Hyssop is truly a plant-it-and-forget-it type of herb, perfect for any level of gardening skill. 

Hyssop is part of the mint family, although Little Adder has a more restrained growth and spreading habit. The anise-scented leaves and flowers are appealing to pollinators and people, but absolutely repulsive to deer and rabbits, making hyssop great for growing in areas with heavy deer pressure. Agastache is native to drier parts of the Mediterranean and Europe and is exceptionally drought tolerant after it is fully established. Grow Little Adder along an herb border, within a kitchen garden, or on its own in a container for a patio or deck. 

Little Adder Hyssop Care

Little Adder Hyssop grows best in well-draining soil that is low in nutrients. Fertilization is rarely required, although the plants appreciate a light mulch. Water plants deeply once a week to encourage a deep root system during the first year of growth. Supplemental watering will only be required during long periods of heat or drought.  

Annual maintenance is a breeze for Little Adder Hyssop. Cut back the spent top growth either in the fall or late winter as new growth is emerging. This plant only lightly self-seeds and does not require deadheading. Any new seedlings can be culled early in the spring.  Divide Hyssop every 2-3 years to help keep the plants vigorous.

Little Adder Hyssop Spacing

Hyssop and other naturalizing perennials look best when they are planted in large groups or left to self-seed and form natural drifts. To achieve a quick ground cover effect, space each plant 20 inches apart. Use a 12-inch container to house a single plant, and enjoy being able to move it around the garden as other plants die back for the summer.