Did you know that you can grow and brew your own beverages? Check out our guide to growing a tea garden for all our tips and tricks!
Where Should You Grow Your Tea Garden?
The best part about a tea garden is that most herbs can be grown indoors! Don’t worry if you live in an apartment and are limited on outdoor space. Grab a few pots and pick a sunny spot by a window.
The Main Show
Tea Plant aka Camellia Sinensis
There are two varieties of Camellia Sinensis. Chinese Tea, which is, of course, native to China, grows well in cooler climates at high altitudes. It usually carries a sweeter flavor. You will probably recognize it in its most common forms, green tea, and white tea.
The second variety is Assam Tea, also known as Indian tea. It grows in Northern India and produces larger leaves thanks to the tropical environment of rain and warmer temperatures. It’s typically used for black tea, oolong, and pu-erh.
Planting & Growing Tips
- Plant in a pot with great drainage. Most experts recommend drainage holes be about twice the size of the root ball of the plant.
- Fill 1/3 of the pot with well-draining acidic potting soil. Place the plant in the pot and fill in with more soil. Make sure to leave the top of the plant (the crow) exposed and above the soil.
- Place in a spot that receives bright, indirect sunlight.
- When watering make sure that the first 2 – 4 inches of soil are dry. Make sure you don’t over water or let the plant sit in water. It must drain to thrive!
- It’s also a good idea to fertilize with acidic plant fertilizer every three – four weeks. We also suggest diluting the formula. However, keep an eye on your plant and adjust watering and fertilizing accordingly.
- When ready, harvest a few leaves at a time and infuse with hot water. Don’t over pluck and don’t remove leaves in the winter.
The Best Plants to Grow in Your Tea Garden
Chamomile
Soothing and relaxing. Chamomile is also known to calm an upset stomach. If planting indoors, we suggest using German Chamomile, as it’s suited for smaller planters.
Lavender
Another calming variety. Pair with some lemon balm and honey for a wonderful combination!
Mint
We love using mint in the morning to start our day with some ginger and lemon. It really awakens the senses! PS- it’s also great to use in after work cocktails.
Lemon Balm
Did you know that lemon balm can help lower blood pressure? It also pairs well with most other herbs to create unique tasting tea flavor varieties.
Echinacea
As we enter the cold and flu season (and continued COVID crisis), echinacea is great to have on hand. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties. It helps soothe sore throats and cold symptoms. Add in a splash of honey for added benefits.
We hope you enjoyed our guide to growing your own tea garden! Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more planting tips and tricks.