How to Grow a Tea Plant

Harvest tea leaves at least three years after planting.

Tea, or camellia sinensisis, is an evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy green leaves and white flowers. Tea is indigenous to China, Tibet, and Northern India, and is used throughout the world as a caffeinated drink second in popularity only to coffee. The tea shrub is hardy to Zone 8, but also grows well in other zones in a greenhouse, or in a pot that is brought indoors during cold winters. Camellia sinensis likes well-drained, sandy soil that is on the acidic side, and it does not like excessively wet conditions. Tea grown from seed will take up to three years before leaves can be harvested for use.

Things You'll Need

• Tea seeds
• Paper towels (2)
• Plastic bag
• Acidic potting mix
• Potting tray with pan liner
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Wet the paper towels until just damp. Lay one on a flat surface and sprinkle tea seeds on a paper towel. Lay the other paper towel on top of the first, covering the seeds. Roll up, making sure seeds stay inside.

2. Place the rolled paper towels inside a black plastic bag and seal. Check daily to make sure the paper towels stay moist, and add water if needed. When the seeds crack, they are ready for planting.

3. Fill the tray with damp compost, pressing firmly. Poke a hole in the soil in each cell with the pencil to a depth of 1 inch.

4. Place one seed in each hole and backfill with soil to cover. Water thoroughly. Plants will begin to show within four weeks.

5. Place the tray in a location that gets moderate shade. When the plant begins growing, slowly move the tray to areas that get more sunlight, eventually working up to an area with full sun.

6. Plant in the ground when several inches tall. If planting in containers, repot in successively larger containers as the plants grow.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an ericaceous (acid) compost, such as one formulated for rhodedendrons.

• Tea plants do not like excessively wet or flooded areas.

• Tea plants and leaves are sensitive to wind, slowing leaf growth and causing browning and leaf curling. Plant near fences or buildings to protect them from wind damage.

References

• University of IFAS Extension: Tea Growing in the Florida Home Landscape
• Plant Cultures: Tea - grow it

Resources

• HowtoGrowTea.com: How to grow tea at home