Flower profile

Anise hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a low shrub in the Lamiaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly July–September across the U.S.

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 July–September.

19states where USDA records it

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.
From Wikipedia's article Agastache foeniculum, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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 July–September. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,664 research-grade sightings of it in Minnesota, ranking #77 among the 152 flowers on our Minnesota list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Minnesota, most flowering sightings come in July–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.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

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.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Agastache anethiodora.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 133 counties across 15 states; the most are in Minnesota (55), North Dakota (35), Wisconsin (13).

Other Agastache on Bloomipedia (1): Nettle-leaf giant hyssop.

More from the Lamiaceae family (44 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Common selfheal, Ground-ivy, Red deadnettle, American beautyberry, Henbit deadnettle, Wild bergamot, Lyreleaf sage, American germander.

More Minnesota flowers

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Native

🌼 Blooms in MN: July–August

Common motherwort

Leonurus cardiaca

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in MN: June–July

Ground-ivy

Glechoma hederacea

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in MN: April–June

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile AGFO.
iNaturalist, Agastache foeniculum: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Agastache foeniculum (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Minnesota: Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300).
Minnesota: Minnesota Noxious Weed List (Minn. Stat. § 18.79; Minnesota Department of Agriculture, updated January 2026).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Agastache foeniculum (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
Photo: Thomas Boe via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.