• 22 Jan, 2024
• Cedric Shimuli

Do you enjoy getting your hands in the soil, feeling the earth between your fingers?

Do you enjoy getting your hands in the soil, feeling the earth between your fingers? Do you often have a cup (or tumbler) of tea nearby as you do? There’s a wonderful way to combine your love of tea with your passion for gardening—that’s by growing your own tea bush at home!With the below tips from our friends at Minto Island Tea Company, pioneers of growing and crafting tea here in the US, as well as Alicia Gentili, who has grown tea around the world, you’ll have your very own Camellia sinensis sprouting in no time.

Can you grow tea plants at home?

The answer is a resounding “yes!” The plant from which all true tea is made, Camellia sinensis, grows to be a large shrub or small tree. Typically, it grows to be a beautiful three-to-five-foot-tall cultivated hedge. You can grow the tea plant indoors, or, provided you have a favorable climate, outdoors as well (more on favorable conditions below.)

How do you plant a tea bush?

For those who live in our backyard (the Pacific Northwest), the ideal planting time is between April and late-August. If planted too soon (or too late), the plant may be susceptible to frostbite. If you hail from another part of the country, research your best growing times and conditions by contacting the US League of Tea Growers.

If you want to move the tea bush from a pot into the ground,  wait until your plant start is about 1-2 years old. It should also go through a small period of hardening off (placing the plant outdoors to acclimate).

If you've ever planted a shrub, you'll be familiar with the process. Dig a hole that's as deep as the root ball but twice as wide. Make sure the top of the root is level with the soil height. Backfill with mostly native soil that's amended with well-aged compost. While the tea plant is establishing, mulch the area with sawdust, leaves, or compost, especially in early fall before temperatures drop. Easy peasy.

What type of soil works best for planting tea?

Camellia sinensis grows in acidic soils, ideally with a pH of 4.5-6. This is similar to the kind of soil where blueberries thrive, so if those are growing well on your garden plot, you can probably grow tea too. To prevent the roots from rotting, you'll need adequate drainage. In wetter sites, consider using a raised bed with extra compost amendments.