How to Prune Camellia Sinensis

Green tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis.

When you drink black, green or oolong tea, you are sipping the essence of the foliage from the Camellia sinensis. Also known as the tea plant, Camellia sinensis is an evergreen shrub that, in the wild, thrives in warm temperatures in regions with high rainfall. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 7 through 9. Pruning Camellia sinensis is vital to its health, and even heavy pruning won't harm it. Prune in spring, just before it puts out new growth.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring cup
• Disinfectant
• Bucket
• Tarp or old sheet
• Pruning shears
• Rake
• Large trash bag
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Combine 1 cup of disinfectant in 4 cups of water in a bucket. Dip your pruning equipment into the solution and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Rinse them under clear water and lay on a towel to dry. Take the bucket into the garden with you and use it to dip the shears in after each cut.

2. Place a tarp or large sheet on the soil next to the Camellia sinensis plant to lay your pruning equipment on. Do not place them on the soil.

3. Improve air circulation within the bush by cutting out inner branches. Look first for weak and thin growth and cut it back to a main branch. Remove any stems that are growing toward the middle of the shrub. Next, cut back diseased and dead wood in the same manner as the weak growth.

4. Cut the Camellia sinensis back from 5 feet high to 3 feet high to rejuvenate it. It is even safe to cut the plant to less than half its size, according to the American Camellia Society.

5. Rake back all mulch, dead flowers and pruning debris, bag it and dispose of it.

6. Spread a 3-inch layer of mulch on the soil around the camellia sinensis, keeping it 6 inches from the base of the plant.

References

• University of Delaware: Camellia Sinensis
• The International Camellia Society: Basics of Camellia Care; William L. Ackerman
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Tea Growing in the Florida Home Landscape; Thomas H. Crane, et al.; 2009
• Clemson University; Camellia; Marjan Kluepfel, et al.; December 1998