Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou) Sideritis scardica
Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou) (Sideritis scardica) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family, native to Mountains of the Balkans (northern Greece, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia). It grows 15–40 cm (6–16 in) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -18 °C (0 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou) at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 15–40 cm (6–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -18 °C (0 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: flowering stems (herbal tea) |
| Native to | Mountains of the Balkans (northern Greece, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; widely drunk as tea. The EMA lists it as a traditional herbal medicine for coughs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou)
- How far apart should I plant Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou)?
- It tolerates about -18 °C (0 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou) flower?
- From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; widely drunk as tea. The EMA lists it as a traditional herbal medicine for coughs.
- What grows well with Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Greek mountain tea (tsai tou vounou). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Herbal monographs (European Union herbal monographs and assessment reports), European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Notes and assumptions
- Silver-woolly stems with yellow flowers in whorls; dried flowering stems make the herbal tea sold in Greek markets. Wild stands are over-collected, so it is now grown as a field crop. Needs dry, stony, limy soil.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Common sage Salvia officinalis
- Oregano Origanum vulgare