Cold Hardy Tea Plant

Grow Your Own Green or Black Tea

It’s true. The leaves of the Camellia Sinensis can be harvested for either green, white, oolong or black tea. Depending on the kind of tea you like, just process the leaves differently to get the tea of your choice- all from the same plant! No matter which one you prefer, you can grow it!

Here’s How to Prepare Your Own Tea:
1. Place a teaspoon or two of your dried tea leaves into your teapot
2. Slowly pour boiling water into your teapot and let sit for 5 minutes
3. Pour and enjoy it!

The Camellia Sinensis can be grown to harvest, but you can also enjoy its beauty. It mixes well with a variety of plants and adds hints of deep green and pops of white to otherwise colorless landscapes.

Because this plant can be pruned back for harvesting, it is great for patios, decks or as a kitchen plant. Simply pot it up in a container with well-drained soil and water it regularly. Small, white flowers will appear in winter. Their creamy yellow, floret-style centers are really quite lovely.

When planted outdoors, the Camellia Sinensis performs very well. It is hardy in growing zones 7-9. However, when potted up as a container or patio plant, it can be grown anywhere in the country (zones 4-11).

These plants are extremely adaptable to a variety of soil conditions. Because this plant is disease-resistant, it requires no harmful pesticides. The caffeine in the plant acts as a shield against these tough conditions! And this means that you and your family don’t have to worry about ingesting harmful chemicals while you enjoy a nice cup of tea!

This tea plant has the ability to turn into a tree if left unattended, so if your intentions are to harvest it for tea, prune it regularly to keep it small.

Tea has long been a popular drink. In fact, worldwide, tea is far more popular than coffee. Now it’s available to grow for years of fresh, home-grown tea!

Planting & Care

Location: Your tea plant will be happiest in a full to partial sun location. If possible, try to put it in a spot where it will be protected from strong winds. Space multiple plants at least three feet apart from one another. Tea plants enjoy moist, well-draining, acidic soil (ph range of 6-6.5 or lower).

Watering: Your tea plant will require at least one weekly watering (mulch helps retain moisture so be sure to spread a good 2-3 inch layer around the base). Keep an eye on the area during the hot season as you might need to move up to a dual watering weekly.

Fertilizing: During active growth in spring and summer, apply 1/2 lb. of a slow-release, complete fertilizer every two months or as the packaging suggests.

Pruning: Potted tea plants should be pruned back yearly after the blooming period. Just like the in-ground tea plant, be sure to remove dead, damaged, or crowded branches. Cut the stem back towards the base of the bush. You can cut individual branches to just past a leaf node or bud.

Harvesting: The youngest leaves on your tea plant tend to make the best tea. The youngest is typically the last few leaves and the bud. Set the leaves to dry out of the sun for about 2 hours and then pan heat or steam to stop the leaf’s oxidation. Try to keep the heat fairly high during this process (500 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 15 minutes while continuously shaking and/or stirring to prevent scorching or burning. Leaves can now be dried in the oven or in a dehydrator, stored in an airtight container, and left in a cool dry area for storage.