Tea Garden: How to Grow Your Own Healing Teas and Layouts!
There’s something magical about sipping a cup of tea made from your very own tea garden. Last winter I became OBSESSED with my chocolate mint tea & chamomile tea, so this year I am growing a whole garden dedicated to my teas. These plants are so easy to grow you have to actually worry more about them taking over the garden instead of dying, making this a great beginner garden and will save you a ton of money on herbal tea. Here is my step by step guide.
Why Grow a Tea Garden?
A tea garden isn’t just practical—it’s beautiful, fragrant, and soul-soothing. Herbal teas can be made from a variety of plants that thrive in home gardens, even in containers or small spaces. Plus, they offer health benefits, reduce your reliance on store-bought tea bags, and make great gifts.
What to Grow in Your Tea Garden
Here are some of the easiest and most popular tea plants to start with:
1. Chamomile
- Taste: Mild, floral, slightly sweet
- Benefits: Calming, aids sleep, soothes digestion
- Growing tips: Prefers full sun and cool spring weather
2. Peppermint & Chocolate Mint
- Taste: Refreshing, cooling
- Benefits: Helps with digestion and headaches
- Growing tips: Thrives in part shade to full sun; keep it in a pot to contain its spread. I am burying my pot in the ground, so the plant looks like it is planted, but will help keep it from spreading and taking over.
3. Lemon Balm
- Taste: Lemon-mint, light and uplifting
- Benefits: Reduces anxiety, improves sleep
- Growing tips: Loves sun and moist soil; like mint, it spreads, so containers are helpful
4. Lavender
- Taste: Floral, lightly sweet, slightly bitter
- Benefits: Calming, great for stress relief
- Growing tips: Needs full sun and well-drained soil
5. Basil
- Taste: Fresh, herbal, and subtly sweet.
- Benefits: including improved digestion, stress reduction, and a potential boost to the immune system.
- Growing tips: Thrives in sunny spots
6. Stevia
- Taste: Sweet (used as a natural sweetener)
- Benefits: Sugar substitute without calories
- Growing tips: Likes warmth and sunlight; pinch the tips to encourage bushy growth
7. Echinacea
- Taste: earthy, floral, or even slightly tingling
- Benefits: including immune support and reducing recovery time from colds and flu
- Growing tips: Drought tolerant and comes back every year.
How to Plant and Care for Your Tea Garden
1. Pick Your Spot
Choose a sunny spot with good drainage. Even a few containers on a balcony can become an abundant tea garden.
2. Prep the Soil
Clear your space of any grass or weeds. Most tea herbs will still grow in poor soil, but improve your soil by mixing in compost to give your plants a healthy start.
3. Planting
Follow the planting layout below and if using containers, make sure they have drainage holes.
4. Water Wisely
Water deeply, but let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes.
5. Harvest & Dry
Harvest leaves or flowers in the morning once dew has dried. Dry them by hanging in small bundles or using a dehydrator. When your leaves are COMPLETELY dry, store in airtight jars away from light and heat.
Making Your Tea
Once dried, crush the herbs gently and steep 1–2 teaspoons per cup of hot water for about 5–10 minutes. Combine herbs for custom blends—like chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender for a sleep-friendly brew, or peppermint and stevia for a refreshing pick-me-up.
Final Tea Garden Tips
- Label everything. Herbs can look alike, but it is helpful to rub the leaves between your hands to smell the herb to tell them apart.
- Start small. Focus on a few favorites and expand over time.
- Experiment! Try different blends and create your own personal tea blend.
- Tea Infuser: This is my favorite Tea infuser HERE
- I am going to say this again because it is so important. Plant any mint or lemon balm IN A CONTAINER. You can bury the container in the ground if you don’t want an extra pot to water. The plants WILL take over and you will NEVER get rid of it if it is not contained in a container.
Your tea garden can be a peaceful sanctuary, a healing apothecary, and a delicious experiment all in one. So grab your gloves, plant a few seeds, and let your tea journey begin.
as always
Grow Flowers and Tea to heal your soul,
Beth
