How to Harvest Sweet Annie

Sweet Annie is a decorative plant with fragrant foliage. Well-liked among herb enthusiasts, Sweet Annie's feathery green leaves hold both the color and aroma well when dried. The herb is a well-loved addition to dried floral arrangements, potpourri and wreaths. Sweet Annie's leaves have oil within them with potent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Growing from 4 to 6 feet in height, this perennial shrub can be successfully grown in many climates. It thrives in average soil and full sun.

Sweet Annie stalks
Pruning shears
Large paper bag
Salt
String

Instructions

- 1
  Visually inspect the leaves of the plant. When the leaves of the Sweet Annie plant are in their prime, the fernlike leaves turn bright green and begin to put out a pleasant aroma. Each stem begins to form flowers, which open in bright yellow blooms.
- 2
  Cut the branches from the plant with pruning shears when the stems are in full flower. Harvest the Sweet Annie when conditions are dry, as moisture can harm the leaves once they have been picked. Cut the branches as close to the ground as possible.
- 3
  Sort through the cuttings, pulling any damaged leaves from the stalks.
- 4
  Place four to six stalks of Sweet Annie inside a large paper grocery bag and add 1/4 cup of table salt. Hold the bag closed at the top and shake vigorously.
- 5
  Remove the salted stalks and arrange them in a single layer on a dry surface in direct sunlight. Leave the stalks to dry for at least eight hours.
- 6
  Gather the dried stems into small bundles containing five to 10 branches. Bind each bundle at the stem end with a piece of string and hang them upside down in a dry location out of direct sunlight.
- 7
  Allow the bundles to dry for four to six weeks before attempting to use the dried foliage.

How to Dehydrate Herbs

What Does Burdock Look Like?

Herb Basics