Herbs for Tea & Infusions

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.

Teasel Seeds (Dipsacus fullonum)

A striking wildflower, Teasel is known for its tall spiky flower heads that attract bees, butterflies, and especially goldfinches. Its architectural shape adds height and structure to wildlife-friendly gardens, meadows, and borders. Hardy and easy to grow, Teasel provides year-round interest with summer blooms and seed heads that last into winter.

What Makes It Special

• Loved by pollinators and seed-eating birds, especially goldfinches

• Tall, architectural plant for borders and wild gardens

• Long-lasting seed heads provide winter garden interest

Key Features

• Botanical name: Dipsacus fullonum

• Hardy biennial/wildflower

• Height: 150–200 cm (5–6 ft)

• Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Ideal For

• Wildlife and pollinator-friendly gardens

• Wildflower meadows and natural planting schemes

• Adding height and structure to borders

Sowing

• Sow outdoors Mar–Jun or Sep–Oct directly into prepared soil

• Cover lightly and keep moist until germination

• Germination: 14–28 days depending on conditions

• Thin seedlings to 30–45 cm apart

• Flowers in the second year after sowing

Mexican Tarragon – Seeds

(Tagetes lucida) – Perennial Herb / Ornamental

Mexican Tarragon, also known as Sweet Mace or Spanish Tarragon, is a versatile plant prized both as a culinary herb and a decorative flower. It produces bright golden-yellow blossoms and aromatic leaves with a distinctive anise-like flavor, often used as a substitute for French tarragon in cooking. Highly valued in traditional medicine and rituals, it is also a magnet for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Key Features

• Type: Tender perennial (often grown as annual in cooler climates)

• Height: 45–75 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowers: Clusters of golden-yellow blooms

• Blooming period: Summer to autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

• Other: Aromatic foliage; edible herb

Ideal For

• Herb and kitchen gardens

• Summer borders and cottage gardens

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Containers and pots

• Edible landscaping

Culinary & Herbal Uses

• Leaves used fresh or dried in soups, sauces, chicken, and fish dishes

• Herbal teas with calming properties

• Traditional medicinal and ceremonial uses

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays with light soil.

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22°C.

• Transplant: Harden off and plant outdoors after the last frost.

• Care: Prefers sunny, warm positions. Pinch young shoots to encourage bushiness. Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor.

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

Moldavian Dragonhead – Seeds (Dracocephalum moldavica)

The Moldavian Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica) is a fragrant annual herb admired for its violet-blue flowers and aromatic lemon-scented foliage. Highly attractive to bees and butterflies, it makes a charming addition to herb gardens, borders, and pollinator-friendly spaces. Its leaves are sometimes used for teas with a refreshing citrus flavor.

Why Grow Moldavian Dragonhead?

• Violet-blue blooms with a pleasant lemon fragrance

• Excellent for pollinators, especially bees

• Easy to grow and low maintenance

• Useful as an ornamental and herbal plant

Ideal For

• Herb gardens

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Borders and cottage gardens

• Aromatic tea lovers

Key Features

• Type: Annual herb

• Height: 40–60 cm

• Spread: 20–30 cm

• Flowering: June–August

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Light, well-drained

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: March–April, lightly cover seeds

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22°C

• Transplant outdoors: After frost risk has passed

• Direct sow outdoors: April–May

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart

Tip: Regular deadheading encourages longer flowering and stronger aroma.

Marsh Mallow – Seeds (Althaea officinalis)

Marsh Mallow is a hardy perennial herb known for its tall, elegant growth and soft, velvety leaves. Traditionally valued for its medicinal properties, its roots and leaves can be used in herbal remedies, teas, and natural skincare preparations. The plant also produces attractive pale pink flowers that add charm to herb and cottage gardens.

Ideal for garden beds, borders, and natural herbal plots, Marsh Mallow is easy to grow and low-maintenance once established.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Sow outdoors: April – May

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 40–50 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, moist

• Watering: Regular watering until established

Key Features

• Hardy perennial herb with medicinal and culinary uses

• Soft, velvety leaves and pale pink flowers

• Ideal for teas, herbal remedies, and natural skincare

• Low-maintenance once established

• Suitable for herb gardens, borders, and cottage gardens

Harvest

• Harvesting period: Summer – Autumn

• Pick leaves and flowers as needed; roots can be harvested in autumn for medicinal use.

Short Tip

For a continuous supply, harvest leaves selectively and leave some to flower for seeds.

Hyssop Seeds (Hyssopus officinalis)

Grow a timeless herb with Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), a fragrant perennial prized for its aromatic leaves and striking blue-purple flowers. Traditionally used in herbal teas, remedies, and as a seasoning, hyssop also attracts pollinators and adds beauty to borders, herb gardens, and containers. Hardy and versatile, it’s an essential plant for both culinary and medicinal use.

How to Grow

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

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

• Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep and thin seedlings to 30–40 cm apart.

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

• Harvest leaves and flowers throughout summer for fresh or dried use.

Key Features

• Aromatic herb with blue-purple blooms

• Culinary, medicinal, and herbal tea uses

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and pollinators

• Hardy perennial, easy to grow

• Adds beauty and fragrance to the garden

Ideal For

• Herb gardens, borders, and containers

• Herbal teas, remedies, and cooking

• Attracting pollinators and beneficial insects

• Gardeners seeking hardy, multipurpose plants

Sowing

• Best time: Spring indoors or after frost outdoors

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Spacing: 30–40 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Trim plants after flowering to encourage bushier growth and a second flush of blooms.

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.