How to Grow Your Own Tea Garden – Great IDEAS!

How to Grow Your Own Tea Garden will show you how easy it is to have the ingredients for your favorite teas just outside your door. Who knew it would be so easy?

How to Grow Your Own Tea Garden

If you’re looking for more ideas on gardening, Gardening for Beginners Tips and Tricks and How to Start a Victory Garden will help get you started.

“Tea makes everything better.”

Bindi Irwin

Growing your herbal and floral teas will save you money, and most of the plants will make your yard even more beautiful.

Let’s get real for a moment, shall we? Life is hard. And messy. It’s anything but perfect.

But…having a tea garden in your backyard makes things just a wee bit better.

Your cat vomits on the carpet – have a cup of raspberry tea to calm your nerves.

You found out tonight you’re supposed to bring brownies to your child’s classroom in the morning – a spot of mint tea will add a pep in your step as you burn the midnight oil.

A tea garden in your backyard ups your “hip” factor by a few notches with the home-loving crowd. They will look at you a little differently. Maybe even in awe.

I have a blogging buddy who has two alpacas. No matter what’s going on in her life, she’s got a cool aura because of her fur babies.

We automatically want to get to know someone who has alpacas. They’re “our kind” of people.

The same goes for tea garden growers. You add a little mystery to your life.

It’s time to start planning.

What can I plant in a tea garden?  

Your tea garden isn’t limited to actual tea plants like black or green tea; there’s another world of plants to pick from. This list of tea garden plants will help you get started.

Your garden will transform into an oasis that will nourish your soul and hydrate your body.

Creating Beautiful Gifts

Finding gifts for friends and family can be challenging. However, creating a tea garden makes it easy.

Why should you be the only one having all the fun? Creating a tea garden gift basket for your friends and family is a great idea. Start with a basket and add some shredded paper along with a couple of these ideas:

• A teacup and saucer or mug
• This amazing book will get them started on their tea garden journey
• Small plant starts from your garden in clay pots
• Assorted loose leaf teas
• Tea infuser
• Teapot
• Honey
• Biscuits or Scones
• Jam or Preserves
• Tea Candy (great idea!)

Creating a Cozy Life Group

Since you love to garden and drink tea, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 185,000 like-minded souls.

It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.

Here’s how to How to Grow Your Own Tea Garden

1. Chamomile 

We all know that chamomile tea helps us sleep at night, but did you also know it helps relieve stress?

Chamomile also helps boost immunity, ease cold symptoms, and soothe stomach aches. Its gorgeous flowers add loveliness to any garden. The blooms are what you use to make your tea.

Are chamomile plants easy to grow?

Chamomile is easy to grow, whether you grow Roman or German chamomile.

What are the best conditions to grow chamomile plants? 

Roman chamomile is a perennial that can be grown from an established plant or by seed. German chamomile is an annual that self-sows.

It’s an easy herb to grow and can be grown in part shade or full sun, preferring cool conditions.

Chamomile likes dry soil and doesn’t require much care. USDA Plant Hardiness zones 3-9.

What companion plants go best with chamomile plants?  

Bee balm, phlox, and delphinium are just some plants that pair well with chamomile.

2. Mint 

Who doesn’t love mint tea? There are so many different types of mint; the problem will be deciding what kind to plant. Peppermint, spearmint, apple mint, chocolate peppermint, or even Moroccan mint are just a few of the plants to pick from.

Remember to keep mint contained; once planted, it tends to take over the garden. I like to keep my mint in large cement pots.

Are mint plants easy to grow?  

Yes, mint is crazy easy to grow and is a perennial. Before growing this fantastic herb, you should know just a few tips and tricks.

What are the best conditions to grow mint plants? 

They do well in both shade and sun, with good drainage soil. Minimal care is needed to grow this amazing herb. USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3-11, depending on what type of mint you grow.

What are the best companion plants for mint?  

It’s best to keep mint contained by itself. You can do this with pots or by planting it in a separate section of the garden.

More Articles on Mint

• How to Store Mint: Storing, Freezing, and Drying

3. Roses 

The taste and aroma of rose tea are heavenly. Rose leaves, buds, petals, and hips can all be used to make tea.

Most roses are edible, but some are better suited for use in food and drink. You wouldn’t want to add pesticides to your roses, so only use organic gardening methods.

When choosing roses to grow, pick ones that have a pleasing scent. Old-fashioned fragrant heirloom roses work well. Yellow and pink roses usually have the most flavor and fragrance. Make sure you cut off the white part of the petal before using; it can cause a bitter taste.

Are roses easy to grow? 

Roses are hardy plants and are pretty easy to grow. Some types of roses are more challenging to grow than others.

For more information on growing roses, check out my article on 31 Secrets to Growing Roses.

What are the best conditions to grow roses?

Most roses need at least six hours of sun daily, so picking the right spot to plant them is essential. Ensure they’re in well-draining soil, and add 2-3 inches of organic mulch around the plants. Check regularly for disease or insects and prune periodically.

What type of companion plants go best with roses?  

Lavender and roses go well together.

4. Elderberries 

Elderberry trees produce both edible flowers and delicious fruits. The berries contain more vitamin C than oranges and are used to help boost the immune system.

Native to North America, elderberry trees can be found growing wild. The American Elderberry can grow up to 12 feet tall and wide. The plants start producing berries when they are two to three years old.

If you can’t use all the elderberries produced by your tree, don’t worry, they’re a favorite food of birds, so they will never go to waste.

Always ensure you cook elderberries, as uncooked ones can cause a toxic build-up of cyanide if you eat too many.

Are elderberries easy to grow?

Elderberry plants are one of the easiest shrubs to grow. They sprouted up all over my yard on their own.

What are the best conditions to grow elderberries? 

They love moist, well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine.

What companion plants are best with elderberries?  

Winterberries go well with elderberries.

5. Milk Thistle  

While most people consider milk thistle a weed, others know it’s a nutritional powerhouse. It’s an herb with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, as well as antioxidants.

Make sure it’s okay to grow milk thistle in your state. In some states, it’s considered a noxious weed, and it is illegal to buy or sell plants. While you probably won’t find milk thistle in your local nursery, you can find milk thistle seeds here on Amazon.

Is milk thistle easy to grow?

Yes, it’s too easy. Please note that milk thistle can be quite invasive, so plant it in a contained environment like pots.

What are the best conditions to grow milk thistle? 

Milk thistle likes sunny or lightly shaded areas.

What companion plants go best with milk thistle? 

This herb should be all by itself in a container or a sectioned-off part of the garden.

6. Lavender 

Lavender tea is simply divine. It also reduces anxiety and stress and helps with insomnia.

Are lavender plants easy to grow?

Yes, lavender is relatively easy to grow.

What are the best conditions to grow lavender plants?

Lavender needs at least six hours of sunlight daily and likes well-drained soil or raised beds. It shouldn’t be overwatered, and there should be good airflow around the plants.

What companion plants go best with lavender?

Lavender pairs well with roses and echinacea.

7. Lemon Balm   

Lemon balm is a tea that will make you a happy camper because it aids with both insomnia and anxiety.

Part of the mint family, lemon balm looks like mint but smells like lemons.

Is lemon balm easy to grow?

Plant divisions, cuttings, and seeds are all easy methods of growing lemon balm.

What are the best conditions to grow lemon balm? 

Plant lemon balm in well-drained soil with some shade during the day. It can be invasive, so remove the flowers as soon as they appear to control growth. (Most mint expands by its roots, while lemon balm spreads throughout the garden by its seeds.)

Lemon balm grows best in full sun but will also grow in part shade.

What companion plants go best with lemon balm?

Echinacea and chamomile go well with lemon balm.

8. Ginger   

Ginger tea is so good for you. It helps reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, relieve nausea, and reduce stress. You’ll love this recipe for detoxing lemon ginger tea.

Growing ginger root sounds like it would be hard, but with a couple of tips, it’s pretty easy.  It loves filtered sunlight, rich, moist soil, warm weather, and humidity.

Are ginger plants easy to grow?

Even though ginger is a tropical plant, you can easily grow it in your backyard.

What are the best conditions to grow ginger?

Most ginger plants do best in a sheltered spot, filtered sunlight, and moist soil.

What companion plants go best with ginger? 

Hibiscus is the perfect companion to ginger.

9. Raspberry Leaf  

Raspberry leaf tea boosts the immune system, increases metabolism, helps regulate hormones, eases the symptoms of colds and flu, and reduces inflammation. It’s made from the dried and crushed leaves of raspberries.

Are raspberry plants easy to grow?

Raspberry bushes are a perennial and are pretty easy to grow.

What are the best conditions to grow raspberry bushes? 

Make sure you pick the right plant type for your region. Raspberries love a good trellising system, deep, rich soil that drains well, and a PH soil of 6.0.

What companion plants go best with raspberry bushes?  

Chamomile and nasturtiums pair well with raspberry bushes.

10. Dandelions  

Who knew that dandelions would end up being something we would want to grow?

These amazing plants pack a powerful nutritional punch. They help stimulate the gallbladder and liver. It also helps reduce water weight.

Dandelions grow in sun, partial sun, and shade. The leaves and roots are used in the tea.

Make sure you gather the leaves when they are tender and young. The older leaves can be more bitter.

Are dandelion plants easy to grow? 

We all know the answer to this question. A big YES!  I’m an expert-level dandelion grower.

What are the best conditions go grow dandelion plants for tea gardens?  

This plant is perfect for gardeners with a black thumb. Dandelions tolerate different soil types and amounts of sunlight.

What companion plants go best with dandelions?

Dandelions are a great addition to flowering fruits and vegetables because they attract pollinators.  Strawberries and raspberries are just two plants you should pair with dandelions.   

11. Echinacea   

We’ve heard how wonderful echinacea is for our health. But how many of us are growing it for our tea?

Echinacea helps the immune system. It’s also known for reducing cold and flu symptoms.

It’s a perennial plant, so it will keep on giving its health benefits year after year.

You use the root from plants that are two or three years old.

Are echinacea plants easy to grow? 

Echinacea is easy to grow from seed and plants and through division. It’s known throughout the gardening world as low-maintenance plants.

Make sure you deadhead the florets for optimal growth.

What are the best conditions go grow echinacea plants? 

Echinacea plants grow best in full to partial sun. They don’t like wet soil, so make sure you plant in a well-draining garden patch.

Remember that echinacea plants are clumping, so be sure they have at least 18 inches between other plants.

What companion plants go best with echinacea plants?

Echinaceas pair well with sage, catmint, and geraniums.

12. Strawberry Leaf   

Strawberries should be one of the first things to plant in your garden. Not only can you enjoy the delicious fruit from the plant, but you can also use the strawberry leaves in your tea.

The leaves are known to help with joint pain.

Are strawberry plants easy to grow?  

Strawberries are relatively easy to grow if they have full sun and are correctly taken care of.

What are the best conditions to grow strawberry plants?

Strawberry plants are perennials that prefer full sun. They will still grow in shady areas but produce less than in sunny areas. You need at least six hours of sunlight.

Strawberries need well-draining soil. Due to their shallow roots, they need to be watered throughout summer.

Planting strawberries at least 18-20″ apart to leave room for runners is optimal.

What companion plants are best to grow with strawberry plants?  

Thyme is a good companion plant with strawberries.

13. Thyme  

I love thyme tea. It definitely has a unique flavor, so if you don’t like thyme added to food, you’re probably not going to like thyme tea.

I think it tastes amazing. I drink it with raw honey and lemon. Thyme tea is also my go-to tea when I have a cold or cough, in addition to my herbal cold remedy tea.

There are over 300 different varieties of thyme, which is in the mint family. Now, it’s just a matter of figuring out the type of thyme you want to grow.

You’ll also want to plant enough thyme to let it flower. Bees love thyme, and we want to keep our flying friends happy.

Are thyme plants easy to grow?  

Thyme can be challenging to grow from seed, so it’s best to buy a few plants and propagate them throughout your garden.

What are the best conditions to grow thyme?  

Thyme needs space, sunlight, and well-draining soil to thrive. They are also good container plants.

Each variety of thyme requires different spacing. It varies between 12-24 inches apart.

What companion plants go best with thyme?  

Rosemary is the best herb to plant alongside thyme because they need the same watering and sunlight. Strawberries are also an excellent plant to grow next to thyme.

14. Hibiscus

Not only does hibiscus flowers make an amazing tea, they add a pop of color to your garden. Gorgeous, large red blooms will add beauty and elegance to any yard.

There are two different main types of hibiscus: hardy hibiscus and tropical hibiscus. Tropical hibiscus are fussy plants usually grown indoors, while hardy hibiscus are typically grown outside.

Over 200 different species of hibiscus exist, but the one used most frequently for tea is hibiscus sabdariffa. You can find organic hibiscus sabdariffa seeds on Amazon here.

Are hibiscus plants easy to grow?  

Hibiscus is easy to grow as long as you provide the right conditions. Hardy hibiscus plants are a perennial. You want to make sure you prune your hibiscus every spring.

What are the best conditions to grow hibiscus plants?  

Hibiscus loves full sun and well-drained soil and can be grown in containers. To do so, keep the soil evenly moist.

What companion plants go best with hibiscus plants?  

Dwarf lavender plants are the perfect companion plant to go with hibiscus. They both love the sun!

Tips for Making Your Own Tea at Home

• Harvest your herbs before they flower. They may turn bitter or lose flavor if you wait too long.
• Cut your herbs mid-morning. You want to make sure the morning dew has dried from the leaves.
• The best way to dry herbs is to air dry them. By using this slow method, you keep the oils intact. Tie small bunches of herbs upside down for a week or two, depending on your drying conditions. Drying is complete when the stems break easily, and the leaves crumble when crushed. Store herbs in airtight containers and label them. Keep them away from the sun and store them in a dry area. They usually keep for a year. You can also use a dehydrator to dry your herbs. I love my Excalibur dehydrator.
• Natural unbleached 100-count tea bags are found here.

If you’re a tea enthusiast, homesteader, or gardener interested in growing your tea, Homegrown Tea: An Illustrated Guide to Planting, Harvesting and Blending Teas and Tisanes by Cassie Liversidge. It has beautiful illustrations for each type of tea and instructions on harvesting, drying and making each one featured. Click here to read reviews and buy it on Amazon now.

More Resources

Herbal Tea Gardens: 22 Plans for you Enjoyment and Well-Being

The first half of the book describes all the different herb plants that can be grown. The second part of the book outlines garden plans.

Here’s the Garden Plans Outlined

• Relaxation Garden
• Cough, Cold, and Flu Garden
• First-Aid Garden
• Tummy Care Garden
• Aphrodisiac Garden
• Headache Relief Garden
• Sleepy Time Garden
• Women’s Care Garden
• Bladder Care Garden
• Arthritis Care Garden
• Pain Relief Garden
• Immunity Booster Garden
• Purifying Garden
• Liver Care Garden
• Tonic Garden
• Kidney Care Garden
• Heart Care Garden

We’ve reached the end of How to Grow a Tea Garden.  I hope you enjoyed it.

Let me know in the comments below how you liked Backyard Tea Garden.  

Make sure you join our Creating a Cozy Life Facebook group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is!

I created a pin for you below to add to your gardening board on Pinterest.

You can follow me here on PINTEREST. If you grow a tea garden and take a photo, tag me here on INSTAGRAM.

Thanks for stopping by. I’m so happy you found us!

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