Herbs for Tea & Infusions

Holy Basil Herb Seeds (Ocimum sanctum)

Sacred in Ayurvedic tradition, Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum), also known as Tulsi, is a fragrant and highly valued herb cherished for its medicinal and culinary uses. With its spicy, clove-like aroma and lush green foliage, it adds beauty to the garden and wellness to your kitchen. A must-have for herb lovers and holistic gardeners.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in early spring or directly outdoors after the last frost.

• Use light, well-drained soil in a sunny location.

• Sow 0.5 cm deep and keep soil moist until germination.

• Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart.

• Regular harvesting encourages bushy growth.

Key Features

• Sacred Ayurvedic herb known as Tulsi

• Distinct clove-like aroma and flavor

• Rich in antioxidants and medicinal properties

• Attractive green foliage with purple flowers

• Easy to grow in pots, beds, or herb gardens

Ideal For

• Herbal teas and remedies

• Traditional and modern cooking

• Home apothecaries and wellness gardens

• Indoor pots or sunny outdoor spots

Sowing

• Best time: Spring after frost

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart

• Prefers sunny, warm conditions with well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushiness and a longer harvest season.

German Chamomile – Seeds (Matricaria recutita)

Bring calm and fragrance to your garden with German Chamomile, a charming annual herb prized for its daisy-like white flowers and soothing aroma. Traditionally used for herbal teas and natural remedies, this variety is easy to grow, highly productive, and also attracts pollinators to your garden. A perfect choice for herb beds, borders, and pots.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April, lightly pressing seeds onto the surface of moist compost – do not cover as they need light to germinate
. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost, spacing 20–25 cm apart
. Alternatively, sow outdoors directly in April to May in well-drained soil
. Prefers a sunny position with average to light soil
. Water sparingly, as chamomile thrives in slightly dry conditions

Key Features

. Delicate white blooms with yellow centers
. Traditional herb for calming teas and remedies
. Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
. Easy to grow, tolerant of poor soils
. Ideal for borders, herb gardens, and containers

Ideal For

. Herbal tea lovers and home remedies
. Pollinator-friendly gardens
. Cottage gardens and borders
. Container growing

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: February – May
. Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Harvest flowers on warm, dry days and dry them for homemade chamomile tea with the best flavor and aroma.

English Plantain – Seeds (Plantago lanceolata)

English Plantain is a hardy perennial herb valued for its medicinal properties and ecological benefits. Known for its narrow, lance-shaped leaves, it is often used in herbal remedies, teas, and natural skincare preparations. English Plantain is also a beneficial plant for pollinators and soil health, making it perfect for ecological or medicinal gardens.

This low-maintenance plant thrives in a variety of soils and conditions, returning year after year with minimal care.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – May

• Plant spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

• Care: Minimal maintenance; water during dry periods; remove weeds to prevent competition

Key Features

• Hardy perennial with lance-shaped leaves

• Medicinal uses for teas, herbal remedies, and skincare

• Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant

• Supports pollinators and improves soil health

• Suitable for ecological, medicinal, or wildflower gardens

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 60–90 days after sowing

• Leaves can be harvested as needed; best used when young and tender.

Short Tip

Sow in well-drained soil and allow natural self-seeding to create a sustainable, low-maintenance plant patch.

Dwarf Spearmint – Seeds (Mentha spicata)

The Dwarf Spearmint is a compact and aromatic herb, prized for its refreshing flavor and versatility. With its smaller, bushy growth habit, it’s perfect for container gardening, herb borders, and kitchen windowsills. Its bright green leaves bring a cool, sweet taste to teas, salads, desserts, and savory dishes, while also offering natural health benefits.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors in early spring or directly outdoors after frost.

• Scatter seeds thinly on the surface of moist soil and lightly press down.

• Keep in a sunny to partly shaded spot with regular watering.

• Harvest young leaves as needed to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Compact, bushy spearmint variety

• Refreshing sweet-mint flavor

• Excellent for containers, windowsills, and small spaces

• Perennial herb with continuous harvests

• Culinary and medicinal uses

Ideal For

• Fresh teas, cocktails, and infused water

• Salads, sauces, and desserts

• Small gardens, pots, and indoor growing

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to June

• Harvest: May onwards, throughout the season

Quick Tip

• Regular trimming keeps plants compact and prevents them from spreading too aggressively.

Dandelion – Seeds (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a hardy perennial known for its bright yellow flowers and fluffy seed heads. A versatile and low-maintenance plant, it attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supports beneficial insects, and can be used in salads, teas, and herbal remedies. Ideal for wildflower gardens, meadows, and naturalized areas, it adds color and ecological value while requiring minimal care.

Why Grow "Dandelion"

• Bright yellow flowers and distinctive seed heads

• Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects

• Edible leaves and flowers for salads and teas

• Low-maintenance and hardy in most soils

Key Features

• Type: Perennial (Taraxacum officinale)

• Height: 15–30 cm

• Flowering: Spring to autumn

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Uses: Wildflower gardens, meadows, naturalized areas, edible gardens

Ideal For

• Naturalized or meadow-style gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting

• Edible and herbal gardens

• Gardeners seeking low-maintenance, ecological plants

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: Early spring

• Sow outdoors: Directly in soil after frost

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Space seedlings: 10–15 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil and sunny locations

Cup and Saucer White – 15 Seeds (Cobaea scandens)

The Cup and Saucer Vine (White) is a fast-growing climber with elegant, bell-shaped blooms resembling little teacups. Its trailing vines quickly cover fences, arches, and trellises, creating a stunning vertical display. A perfect choice for adding a touch of elegance and charm to summer gardens.

What Makes It Special

• Unique cup-and-saucer shaped blooms

• Rapid-growing climbing vine

• Long-lasting flowers from summer to frost

• Adds instant charm to vertical garden spaces

Key Features

• Half-hardy perennial, often grown as an annual

• Height: up to 3–6 m

• Large white, bell-shaped flowers

• Prefers full sun to partial shade

• Attracts bees and pollinators

Ideal For

• Fences, walls, arches, pergolas, and trellises

• Cottage gardens and romantic garden themes

• Vertical displays and privacy screens

• Cut flowers for unique arrangements

Sowing

• Sow indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost

• Pre-soak seeds for 12–24 hours before sowing

• Place seeds on their side, just under the surface of soil

• Germination: 20–30 days at 18–20°C

• Harden off and transplant outdoors after frost, spacing 30–45 cm apart

Borage – Seeds

(Borago officinalis) – Edible Flowers & Pollinator Magnet

Borage, also known as the starflower, is a fast-growing annual herb admired for its vivid blue, star-shaped flowers and fuzzy, cucumber-flavored leaves. A favorite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, it makes an excellent addition to herb gardens, vegetable patches, or pollinator-friendly borders. Both flowers and young leaves are edible – perfect for garnishing salads, desserts, drinks, or freezing into ice cubes.

Key Features

• Plant type: Annual herb

• Height: 50–70 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowers: Bright blue, star-shaped

• Foliage: Grey-green, hairy leaves with cucumber flavor

• Position: Full sun to light shade

• Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Herb & cottage gardens

• Attracting pollinators (especially bees)

• Edible flowers & herbal teas

• Companion planting with tomatoes, strawberries, and courgettes

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: April–June, direct in soil, 1 cm deep.

• Germination: 7–14 days.

• Spacing: Thin to 30 cm apart.

• Flowering: June–September.

Care Tips

• Easy to grow and self-seeding – will naturalize readily.

• Pinch back growing tips for bushier plants.

• Collect flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.

• Water in dry spells but avoid overwatering.

Balkan Mint – 200 Seeds (Micromeria thymifolia)

Balkan Mint is a hardy, aromatic perennial herb with small, fragrant leaves and delicate flowers. Known for its refreshing minty aroma, it is perfect for teas, culinary use, garnishes, and herbal remedies. Its compact growth habit makes it an excellent addition to herb gardens, rockeries, or containers.

Thrives in well-drained soils and sunny locations, Balkan Mint is drought-tolerant and easy to maintain, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Sow outdoors: After last frost

• Plant spacing: 20–25 cm apart

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

• Care: Water moderately; trim leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth

Key Features

• Hardy perennial with small, fragrant leaves

• Refreshing minty aroma for teas, cooking, and garnishes

• Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance

• Compact growth ideal for gardens, rockeries, or containers

• Produces delicate flowers adding ornamental value

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 60–90 days after sowing

• Pick leaves as needed; regular harvesting promotes continuous growth.

Short Tip

Grow in full sun and well-drained soil for the best aroma and compact growth.

Anise Seeds (Pimpinella anisum)

Grow your own aromatic spice with Anise (Pimpinella anisum). Known for its sweet, licorice-like flavor, this ancient herb produces delicate white umbels and seeds prized for baking, teas, liqueurs, and herbal remedies. A beautiful and useful plant, anise thrives in sunny spots and brings fragrance and flavor to both the garden and kitchen.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors in spring after the last frost.

• Choose well-drained, fertile soil in full sun.

• Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep, spacing plants 20–30 cm apart.

• Keep soil moist during germination (14–21 days).

• Harvest seeds when flower heads turn brown and dry.

Key Features

• Sweet, aromatic seeds with licorice-like flavor

• Useful in baking, teas, and herbal medicine

• Delicate white flowers that attract pollinators

• Ancient herb with culinary and medicinal history

• Easy to grow in sunny, well-drained soil

Ideal For

• Culinary use in baked goods, teas, and liqueurs

• Herbal remedies and natural medicine gardens

• Pollinator-friendly gardens with fragrant blooms

• Gardeners seeking dual-purpose beauty and flavor

Sowing

• Best time: Spring, after last frost

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 20–30 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Harvest seeds early in the morning when flower heads are dry, then store in an airtight container to preserve their aromatic flavor.