There is nothing better than drinking a delicious cup of tea. Except, drinking a cup made from plants grown in your own garden.
Ditch the classics and get ready for your new home-grown favorites!
10 favorite plants to grow and use in your tea garden
1. Lemon Grass
Towering in the garden, lemongrass is truly a unique plant. Its’ stems create an oil rich in lemony flavor. Brewed in hot water, add it to your Arnold Palmer (combination of iced tea and lemonade) for a fresh, zany taste.
To harvest:
- Cut lemongrass stalks. Be careful as the leaves are sharp and can give unexpected papercuts!
- Stalks can be air-dried, dried in the oven at low heat, or put in a dehydrator
To use:
- 3 pinches (depending on your taste) of fresh lemongrass leaves in a teapot or teacup. Steep for 3 minutes.
- Blend lemongrass with calendula to aid digestion.
2. Anise Hyssop
Native to the mint family, Anise hyssop is the perfect combination to go with straight peppermint or spearmint leaves. Need a new addition for an after-dinner tea? Anise will take the gold, it’s licorice flavor will bring a new dimension to your favorite bedtime cup. Use the leaves and flowers fresh or dried.
To harvest:
- Harvest anise leaves at any time during their growing season to use fresh.
- Or, wait for the flowers to bloom in June/July and use both the flowers and the leaves.
To use:
- Tear 2-3 leaves into boiled water and steep for 10 minutes.
- Blend with rose hips to help with coughs and colds.
After flowering, cut back the Anise plant for a second flush of flowers to enjoy later in the season.
3. Stevia
Stevia, a natural sweetener, is cultivated all over the world, but growing your own will make it that much sweeter.
To harvest:
- Harvest stevia leaves before flowering to use fresh.
- Dry the leaves by hanging them in a cool, dark place
To use:
- Pinch 5-6 leaves into boiled water and steep for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Blend with mint, lemon balm, rose hip, and sage to create the perfect summer drink.
The sweetness of stevia will vary and tends to be stronger later in autumn before the plant flowers.
4. Cinnamon Basil
Yes, you read that right! Cinnamon Basil is a basil plant that tastes like cinnamon. With dark green leaves and stunning purple flowers, it’s a show-stopper in any garden. (it’s perfect in fresh flowered bouquets, too!). In tea, it’s a favorite basil to use. Why? Because it doesn’t taste like you’re drinking pesto… instead, you are drinking a spiced cinnamon tea.
To harvest:
- Harvest cinnamon basil leaves at any time during their growing season to use fresh.
- Flowers will bloom in June/July and then use both flowers and leaves in your tea.
To use:
- Tear 2 stems with leaves into boiled water and steep for 3 minutes.
- Use to help with digestion.
Use the leaves, flowers, and soft stems to make a cup of delicious basil tea.
5. Echinacea
Bring an earthy taste to the summer months with Echinacea tea.
To harvest:
- Harvest flower heads when they first start to open.
- Echinacea roots and leaves may also be used to make tea.
To use:
- Steep flowers, leaves, and roots for 15 minutes.
- A popular remedy for colds, flu, and other infections, as it is thought to help boost immunity.
6. Lavender
Lavender is having its’ time in the sun. It’s everywhere from flower crowns to lemonades and its distinctive scent is found in soaps and massage oils. Lavender tea has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to boost mood and enhance calm. Create your own sip of paradise.
To harvest:
- Harvest fresh lavender at any time during the growing season. Also, include the lavender flowers when in bloom.
- Dry lavender flowers and leaves for winter tea.
To use:
- Steep flowers and leaves for 10 minutes.
- Beneficial in aiding restless sleepers.
You’ll need about two teaspoons of lavender buds for every eight-ounce cup of water. Use only one tablespoon for dried lavender.
7. Calendula
One of the oldest cultivated flowers, Calendula dates back to Roman times. Whether it’s in a beautiful, fresh arrangement or pops of color in the garden, Calendula will also be a much-loved addition to your tea assortment with its earthy, peppery bite.
To harvest:
- Harvest calendula flowers regularly during the growing season for consistent flowering.
- Pick the petals off the flowers to make dry tea.
To use:
- Steep fresh flowers or a pinch of dried petals in boiling water for 4 minutes.
- Calendula is high in Vitamin C and good for the digestive system.
8. Violet
A hidden delight in your garden, these flowers make the perfect pairing to any tea. Believed to comfort and strengthen the heart, violets sweet floral taste is perfect for any warm cup of tea.
To harvest:
- Flowers will bloom during spring and fall.
- Once in full bloom pinch off the flowers with your fingertips.
To use:
- Steep flowers and leaves for 3 minutes.
- Blend with myrtle to help sinus discomfort.
Violets make a refreshing iced tea as well. Use plenty of flowers when brewing a pitcher.
9. Dianthus
In the peak of summer, Dianthus stuns gardens with its beautiful blooms. They remind me of little carnations ready to be picked for posey bouquets. Not just a beautiful flower, but a sweet taste, similar to cloves in tea.
To harvest:
- Harvest flowers in spring and summer when in bloom. To promote new growth and more blooms, prune back the plant in early spring.
- Dry flowers for delicious tea throughout the year.
To use:
- Steep flowers for 5 minutes.
- Blend with cinnamon for a holiday tea treat.
10. Dahlia
With a range of colors, dahlias make a killer statement piece in any garden. Their delightful taste makes a great summer tea.
To harvest:
- Cut when blooms are ¾ of the way open, but not overly ripe. You are looking for firm and lush petals versus papery ones.
- Dry dahlia flowers to make tea throughout the winter months.
To use:
- Steep flowers for 3 minutes.
- Blend with calendula or other summer flowers to create a wonderful summer drink.
Check the Dahlia blooms carefully for bugs before using them for tea. Many insects like to hide in their tubular-shaped petals.
Ready to enjoy a homegrown cup of tea?
Written by NGB Member: SAHIN Home Garden
*National Garden Bureau does not wish to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. The information here is intended for inspirational and educational purposes only. Please consult a healthcare professional before considering any herbal treatments.
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Founded more than 100 years ago, the National Garden Bureau educates, inspires, and motivates people to grow home gardens. National Garden Bureau members are horticultural experts, and the information you receive comes directly from them to ensure your gardening success.
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10 Comments. Leave new
Just beginning to learn about planting for teas.
Also enjoying rosemary, linden tree, mint and lemon balm but my favourite is elderflower. But I just infuse in cold water in a jug in the fridge rather than in boiling water.
Sage is a good tea plant too!
Love this article
Teach me more about tea
From New England
Is there any easily grown plant that tastes like black tea?
Black Tea, as well as oolong, white, or green is from one plant, Camellia sinensis. There really isn’t another plant that works as well.
I already have most of these plants growing for use in teas for their medicinal value as well as flavor. Plus, zero caffeine. I’ll keep growing and using my plants. I love anise hyssop, lemongrass, and lavender, plus the usual chamomile. I also enjoy Holy Basil tea. I have cinnamon basil and will try it soon!
Very useful, simple and easy.
What about Monarda? It has a sort of lemony, minty flavor.
Yes, monarda does work well for tea.