The Marvelous Little Adder Anise Hyssop

Are you looking for a beautiful and beneficial plant to add to your garden? Look no further than the Little Adder Anise Hyssop. This stunning plant boasts purple-blue flowers, fragrant leaves, and numerous health benefits. Keep reading to learn more about this fascinating plant.

What is Little Adder Anise Hyssop?

Little Adder Anise Hyssop, also known as Agastache 'Little Adder,' is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the mint family. It's native to North America and can grow up to 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide. The plant has narrow green leaves with serrated edges and a pleasant anise scent. It blooms in mid-summer to early fall, producing dense spikes of purple-blue flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Health Benefits of Little Adder Anise Hyssop

Not only is Little Adder Anise Hyssop a beautiful addition to your garden, but it also has numerous health benefits. The plant contains essential oils that have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It can help alleviate symptoms of colds, flu, coughs, sore throats, and digestive problems. You can make tea from the leaves or flowers to enjoy its healing properties.

How to Grow Little Adder Anise Hyssop

Little Adder Anise Hyssop is easy to grow and care for. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering during hot and dry weather. You can propagate it by sowing seeds in the spring or dividing the plant in the fall. It's also deer-resistant, making it a great choice for gardens in areas with deer populations.

Companion Plants for Little Adder Anise Hyssop

Little Adder Anise Hyssop pairs well with other plants that attract pollinators, such as bee balm, coneflower, black-eyed Susan, and butterfly weed. It also goes well with herbs like basil, thyme, and oregano. The combination of colors and fragrances creates a beautiful and beneficial garden environment.

Culinary Uses for Little Adder Anise Hyssop

Little Adder Anise Hyssop has a pleasant anise flavor that adds a unique touch to culinary dishes. You can use the leaves to flavor salads, soups, stews, rice, pasta, and meat dishes. You can also infuse the leaves in oil, vinegar, or alcohol to make flavored dressings, marinades, and cocktails.

Medicinal Uses for Little Adder Anise Hyssop

In addition to its culinary uses, Little Adder Anise Hyssop has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Its essential oils have antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate respiratory, digestive, and skin problems. You can make tea from the leaves or flowers or use the essential oil topically or aromatically.

Little Adder Anise Hyssop in Culture

Little Adder Anise Hyssop has a rich cultural history. Native American tribes used the plant for medicinal and spiritual purposes. They believed that it could cure snake bites, boost energy, and promote relaxation. In modern times, the plant is still used in traditional medicine, aromatherapy, and culinary arts.

Little Adder Anise Hyssop Varieties

There are many varieties of Little Adder Anise Hyssop, including Blue Fortune, Golden Jubilee, Black Adder, and Summer Sky. Each variety has unique characteristics, such as flower color, foliage texture, and growth habit. You can choose the one that best suits your garden's needs and aesthetic preferences.

FAQs about Little Adder Anise Hyssop

1. Is Little Adder Anise Hyssop safe for pets?

Yes, Little Adder Anise Hyssop is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. However, it's always a good idea to monitor your pets when introducing new plants to your home or garden.

2. Can I use Little Adder Anise Hyssop in herbal remedies?

Yes, Little Adder Anise Hyssop has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Its essential oils have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that can help alleviate respiratory, digestive, and skin problems.

3. How do I propagate Little Adder Anise Hyssop?

You can propagate Little Adder Anise Hyssop by sowing seeds in the spring or dividing the plant in the fall. Make sure to plant them in well-drained soil and water regularly until established.

4. How often should I water Little Adder Anise Hyssop?

Little Adder Anise Hyssop is drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering during hot and dry weather. Water deeply once a week or more frequently if the soil is dry to the touch.

5. Can I use Little Adder Anise Hyssop in cooking?

Yes, Little Adder Anise Hyssop has a pleasant anise flavor that adds a unique touch to culinary dishes. You can use the leaves to flavor salads, soups, stews, rice, pasta, and meat dishes.


In Little Adder Anise Hyssop is a beautiful and beneficial plant that deserves a place in your garden. Its purple-blue flowers, fragrant leaves, and medicinal properties make it a valuable addition to any landscape. Whether you're looking for a natural remedy or a culinary delicacy, Little Adder Anise Hyssop has something to offer. So why not give it a try?