Bloomipedia
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Photo: Thomas Boe via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Anise hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

Native to Minnesota

Anise hyssop is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Minnesota it's most often seen in bloom in June–September.

19states
1,664MN sightings*
2,950U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Minnesota

Quick look

Agastache foeniculum, commonly called anise hyssop, blue giant hyssop, Fragrant giant hyssop, or the lavender giant hyssop, is a species of perennial plant in the mint family.

  • It belongs to the Lamiaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 19 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Minnesota. NatureServe
  • In Minnesota, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–September. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,664 research-grade sightings of it in Minnesota, ranking #77 among the 110 flowers on our Minnesota list. iNaturalist

Anise hyssop gift ideas

Handmade anise hyssop gifts from independent makers.

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When does it bloom?

In Minnesota, most flowering sightings come in June–September.

Flowering records by month in Minnesota (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (218 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Minnesota
Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: CO (S2), IA (S1), NE (S1), WY (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleEdible (per NC State Extension)

NC State Extension notes: “The foliage has an anise or licorice scent and can be used as flavoring in salads and teas. Seeds can be used in cookies cakes and muffins. Flower can be used as a seasoning or in tea.” NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records anise hyssop in 19 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Minnesota counties with USDA records: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Goodhue, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lincoln, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, Washington, Winona, Wright.

More Minnesota flowers

Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)

Common selfheal

Prunella vulgaris

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in MN: June–September
Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

Ground-ivy

Glechoma hederacea

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in MN: April–June
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Native

🌼 Blooms in MN: July–August

Sources