One of the most popular beverages in the world, tea enhances physical health and well-being, while soothing the soul. Is there anything better than cuddling up with a cup of tea in front of a fireplace? Or the refreshing bliss of a cold glass of iced tea on a hot summer day? It has been used for centuries to build relationships and enhance meaningful conversation, up to and including a long history of international negotiations.
The hugely popular Camellia sinensis, the basis of what purists consider “true” teas, is traditionally associated with exotic locales. Yet this low-maintenance plant grows equally well in a backyard.
Camellia sinensis var. assamica, which is identified by its larger leaves, is cold hardy in Zone 7 and points south. Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, often referred to as “the Chinese variety,” which features small leaves, is even more cold resilient, thrives down to Zone 6. For those who live in points north, the plants are best grown in a container and overwintered indoors.
1 Plant, Many Teas
All true teas—black, green, white, oolong, pu’erh, and yellow tea—derive from the easy-to-grow Camellia sinensis species. The plant needs just two to six hours of sunlight, and several hours of afternoon shade. It’s happiest in 70- to 85-degree-F temperatures, but with care and some summer mid-day sun protection, it may survive in the tropics, as well as winters down to 20 degrees F. The plants require moderate moisture (water when the top inch of soil is dry) and can survive drought when mature. It’s happy in loam, sandy soils, or clay; all should be generously amended with organic matter (compost is ideal). It does, however, require an acidic environment in the 4.0–5.5 pH range. Adding coffee grounds, lemon juice, sphagnum peat moss or using an acidic fertilizer are the easiest solutions.Herbal Sensations
Brewed from fresh or air-dried leaves, easy-to-grow spearmint and peppermint make excellent teas, or mix things up with chocolate mint with its cocoa aroma. Mints will grow successfully just about anywhere in full sun or partial shade, but plan on giving it cold protection (or bringing it inside) in winters up north, and water generously in the summer in the south. It also does extremely well in a sunny window indoors. It is a vigorous grower that can take over a planting bed if it’s very happy, which is why some people prefer to grow it in containers. Its cousin, the lemon balm, requires similar tending, as does catnip; both make relaxing teas, with catnip boasting a unique lemon-mint flavor.For other easy ways to get a fresh lemony bouquet without growing a citrus tree, consider lemongrass, a tropical perennial that can reach four feet in height, or the more compact lemon verbena. Both grow year-round in Zones 8 to 11, and sprout easily and grow rapidly each year from seeds in points north. Both thrive in full sun and are moderately drought-tolerant. While many chefs use just the oil-rich bulb of lemongrass, the leaves make a delightful tea as well.
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Renowned chamomile comes in two varieties: Roman and German. Low-lying Roman doubles as a decorative ground cover. It tolerates high temperatures and moderate droughts well, and can grow in Zones 4 to 9 in the summer, and Zones 10 to 11 in the more temperate winters there. German chamomile reaches two feet in height and is hardy in Zones 4 to 9. They thrive in full sun, or in partial shade in hotter climes. While the flowers are popular for tea, the leaves can actually give a heartier flavor.
Lavender thrives in dry, well-drained soil in full sun in Zones 5 to 9. Its buds make an ideal bedtime tea.
Low-maintenance anise hyssop makes a delicious, stomach-soothing tea. A drought-tolerant perennial in Zones 4 to 9, it likes full sun, and can be cut down to the ground to overwinter. Similarly, sweet basil, which may already be in the garden or kitchen window garden, can settle even severe stomach distress. Simply pop some leaves into hot water, steep, and enjoy.
Rosemary, which is hardy in Zones 7 to 11 and everywhere else indoors, is said to improve moods and memory—plus, it smells like the holiday season. Give it full sun and minimal water, as it does not like wet feet.
Yarrow tea has been used for its wealth of health benefits dating back to Ancient Greece. It thrives in full sun, with moderate water, in Zones 3 to 9.
Native to South Africa, Aspalathus linearis (rooibos, red tea) offers a robust, earthy flavor. Tender, young leaves are fermented, then sun-dried, which can be as simple as putting them in an airtight container for 8 to 12 hours to develop the tea’s sweet bouquet, followed by air-drying them for several days.
Another tea plant from Africa is Hibiscus sabdariffa. Like the ornamental hibiscus, this plant has glamorous flowers, but when these flowers fall off they leave behind a bright red calyx rich in vitamin C; that is the basis of the commercial Red Zinger tea.
Both are tropical plants that overwinter well indoors.
