Epilobium augustifolium FIREWEED (25 seeds)

Russian Tea, also known as fireweed, willowherb, or Epilobium in Latin, is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Onagraceae family. It is native to Europe.
It measures between 60 cm and 1 meter in height.

Russian Tea seeds are brown, arrow-shaped, and tiny, measuring only one millimeter in length.
They possess a very fine white fluff (pappus) that allows them to be easily disseminated by the wind.

Fireweed features foliage composed of lanceolate green leaves that are arranged alternately.
The leaves are entire with a soft texture, forming a beautiful crown around the stem.
Its flowers are grouped at the top of the stem in dense clusters.
They appear as small, tubular, bell-shaped flowers, often colored in shades of pink.
The flowering is abundant and spectacular during the summer.

After flowering, willowherb produces small dry fruits in the form of elongated capsules containing tiny seeds.
These fruits open at maturity to release their seeds.

- Uses:

The Famous "Ivan's Tea" of the Russian Steppes

Native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Fireweed is famous for its leaves, which are used to prepare "Ivan-chai", a highly popular traditional Slavic beverage.
This historical drink, made by fermenting and then drying the leaves, offers an ancestral, aromatic alternative to traditional imported teas.

A Flamboyant Design for Wild Borders

With its spectacular spikes of vibrant purplish-pink flowers, this hardy perennial brings incomparable vertical structure and colour to gardens.
Easy to grow, it thrives in sunny or partially shaded areas, attracting pollinators in droves thanks to its generous summer blooms.

A Multi-Faceted Collector's Plant

While young spring shoots have historically been eaten in salads by wild food enthusiasts, this species is primarily grown for its ornamental value and ethnobotanical preservation.
To ensure everyone's safety, we recommend growing this collector's plant exclusively for landscape decoration and botanical study.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The best period to sow fireweed begins in March or April.
• It is important to start by stratifying the seeds, either naturally by leaving them outdoors during late winter or artificially for 2 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator.
• Sow them in a seed tray filled with seed-starting mix without covering them (they are light-germinating).
• Gently water the culture with a hand sprayer.
• Let them germinate in a location with a temperature of around 20°C.
• Germination takes place 2 to 3 weeks after completing the stratification.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

Willowherb prefers light, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
It also tolerates slightly acidic to neutral soils but avoids clayey or overly compacted ground that retains water.

- Exposure / Sunlight:

This plant loves full sun exposure to promote optimal development.
It can tolerate partial shade, but the flowering will be less abundant.

- Temperature / Hardiness:

Russian Tea is hardy, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -15°C or even slightly below.
It prefers temperate climates with temperatures between 15 and 25°C.

- Watering / Water Requirements:

It requires moderate watering, allowing the soil surface to dry between waterings.
During the growing season, regular watering helps maintain moist soil.

- Propagation:

Fireweed is mainly propagated by dividing clumps or by sowing in the spring.
Division is the simplest method for obtaining quickly established plants.

- Pests / Diseases:

It can be subject to aphid attacks, especially at the beginning of its growth.
It can also be affected by rust or powdery mildew, particularly in humid and poorly ventilated conditions.

This article was written by Julien on 07/15/2026.