Sideritis syriaca - Mountain Tea - €7per plant

Ironwort is a perennial herb with a slightly woody appearance and attractive silvery green leaves that are really soft. It has a remarkable history in herbalism and is well known and widely used in its native region, the Balkans. Medicinal benefits include being cancer preventing and reducing blood pressure and the plant is very rich with antioxidants, Thriving in nutrient-poor, and dry places it's a great ornamental plant for the herb spiral or rockery. Grows quite densely, slowly forming a mat so is good ground cover despite being in the herb layer. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: S. Europe - E. Mediterranean 
  • native habitat: Mountain rocks
    Cultivated Beds
  • family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Predators

  • No experience of any pests or predators 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun
  • soil pH: Acid-neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness: 7 - 10
  • It prefers dry soil 
  • Can tolerate drought
  • Grows in nutritionally poor soil
  • Avoid waterlogging

Known hazards 

  • ​For pregnant and breastfeeding mothers may be contraindicated although others report that it's safe.

Overview


  • Herbaceous/woody perennial growing to 0.4m by 0.4m at a slow rate.
  • It is in flower from May - August
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees and other insects.
  • Noted for attracting wildlife.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • Cannot grow in the shade.
  • Prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Characteristics

  • form: Herbaceous perennial
  • layer : Herb Layer
  • habit: spreading slowly
  • height x width (m): 0.4m x 0.4m  
  • productive life span:  

Products 

  • Leaf: Pretty, soft and silvery green leaves. 
  • Flowers: Delicate and yellow blooms small, tubular, developing on spear headed blooms. The tea of dried flowering tops is extremely popular in the Balkans and renowned for its medicinal properties.
  • Medicinal: Established reputation to help in digestion, strengthen the immune system and suppress colds, sinus congestion, even pain and mild anxiety. 

Functions, behaviours

  • The flowers are very attractive to bees amongst other pollinisers. 
  • Dried leaves and flowers are used to make a medicinal tea.
  • Drought tolerant once established
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project