Bring the art of tea cultivation into your home garden with Camellia sinensis, the legendary tea plant responsible for producing both black and green tea leaves.
These premium-quality, non-GMO seeds grow into evergreen shrubs or small trees that yield lush green leaves, perfect for drying and fermenting into various tea types.
Whether you prefer robust black tea or delicate green tea, cultivating your own tea plant ensures a fresh, organic, and flavorful brew every time. Ideal for both indoor containers and outdoor gardens, this hardy plant adds both beauty and purpose to your space.
Features
- 🍃 Authentic Tea Plant: Grows the same species used in commercial tea production.
- 🌿 Versatile Use: Produces leaves for green, black, white, or oolong tea.
- 🌸 Evergreen Beauty: Shiny green foliage with fragrant white flowers.
- 🌞 Adaptable Plant: Perfect for outdoor gardens or large indoor pots.
- 🫖 Homegrown Tea: Enjoy freshly harvested, chemical-free tea leaves.
- 🐝 Pollinator-Friendly: Small white blossoms attract bees and other pollinators.
Specifications
- Common Name: Tea Plant / Tea Shrub / Tea Tree
- Scientific Name: Camellia sinensis
- Plant Type: Evergreen shrub or small tree
- Zones: USDA 7–9 (can be grown indoors in cooler zones)
- Growth Habit: Dense, bushy shrub (up to 3–6 ft tall)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter
- Soil pH: 5.0–6.5
- Watering: Moderate, keep soil moist but not waterlogged
- Temperature Range: 55–85°F (13–29°C)
- Flowers: Small, white, fragrant blossoms in late fall
- Leaves: Glossy green leaves used for tea processing
- Days to Germination: 30–60 days
- Maturity: 2–3 years for first harvest of leaves
- GMO Status: 100% Non-GMO
- Harvest Season: Spring through early fall
- Uses: Green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea
- Lifespan: Perennial, long-living plant
Planting Guide
- Seed Preparation: Soak seeds in warm water for 24–48 hours before planting.
- Sowing: Plant 1 inch deep in rich, well-draining acidic soil mix.
- Temperature: Keep soil warm (70–85°F) for best germination.
- Light: Provide bright, indirect sunlight or partial outdoor shade.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but avoid standing water.
- Transplanting: Move seedlings outdoors or into large pots after 6–8 weeks.
- Pruning: Trim regularly to maintain shape and promote new leaf growth.
- Harvesting: Pick tender young leaves and buds for processing once the plant is mature.
- Processing: Steam or pan-fry leaves for green tea; oxidize for black tea.
Care Tips
- Acidic Soil: Use a soil mix designed for azaleas or camellias.
- Winter Protection: In cooler climates, bring indoors or cover plants.
- Fertilization: Use balanced, acidic fertilizer every 6–8 weeks.
- Mulching: Apply organic mulch to retain moisture and maintain acidity.
- Pests: Watch for aphids or mites; treat with neem oil if needed.
