Anise Hyssop in Zone 5a & 5b
Agastache foeniculum
Yes, anise hyssop grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 29–Apr 5 and plant out May 10–May 17.
When to plant anise hyssop in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 29–Apr 5 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 10–May 17 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 27–Aug 3 (~78 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of anise hyssop in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMay 24–May 31
- BorageMay 10–May 17
- DillMay 3–May 10
- RosemaryMay 24–May 31
- American GinsengMay 10–May 17
- AniseMay 10–May 17
Anise hyssop is a perennial herb in the mint family with a distinctive licorice-mint flavor, grown for its edible leaves and flower spikes as much as for the bees and butterflies it attracts.
How anise hyssop fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Anise hyssop needs about 78 days from sowing to first harvest.
Anise Hyssop planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | Jul 27–Aug 3 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 14–Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | Jul 12–Jul 19 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jun 27–Jul 4 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Jun 11–Jun 18 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 4–Jan 11 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | May 4–May 11 |
Harvest dates are about 78 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for anise hyssop.
Where to buy anise hyssop seeds
Botanical Interests (anise hyssop seeds)
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing anise hyssop" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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Growing Anise Hyssop in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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