How to grow a tea garden

By Sophie

The ritual of brewing and drinking herbal tea offers an ideal way in which to relax, take time out and recharge. Growing your own herbs to contribute to this brew takes on an added level of satisfaction and relaxation.  A whole range of herbs exist out there, each with their own magical properties, from those that calm, soothe and aid sleep to those that revive and energise. This post will guide you through the wonderful world of herbs used for tea and offer some suggestions on which ones to grow to create your very own tea garden.

Refreshing herbs 

One of my all-time favourite herbal teas is mint. It never fails to delight with its heady aroma and powerfully refreshing leaves. Mint comes in many different varieties, from the classic peppermint and spearmint, to the more unusual flavours such as pineapple and chocolate scented leaves. Mint is an extremely easy herb to grow and taking cuttings from. It can, however, be quite dominant in the garden and it is always advisable to grow mint in a pot or sink a pot into the ground to reduce its tendency to take over your growing space.

The scent of lemon is so revitalising in a tea and can be sourced from several different herbs. One in particular is lemon balm, which looks fairly like mint, and is a perennial plant which is also very easy to grow. It self-seeds easily, so once you have planted it in your garden, it will remain in your garden! 

Fennel can be used in herbal teas to provide a real aniseed-like kick. Either the leaves or the dried-out seeds can be used to make a brew. Traditionally fennel in a tea has been used to reduce period pain, fight infection or regulate blood sugar levels. 

Calming herbs

The fragrant flavour of chamomile tea is a real treat at the end of a demanding day. For this herb, it is the pretty white and yellow flower heads that are harvested and dried for tea, rather than the leaves. It is best sown fresh each spring, as self-seeding is harder to achieve if you are picking and using all the flowers. Chamomile tea can be drunk as an aide to a peaceful night’s sleep and it is also deemed to alleviate ailments including hay fever and inflammation. 

Another calming herb is the citrus-flavoured lemon verbena. The lovely, scented leaves will make a very tasty herbal concoction over the summer months. It is worth noting that this plant is more tender so will need some protection over winter. This herb makes a very relaxing bedtime brew.

Calendula - the petals of this bright orange, cheery flowered plant are used for herbal infusions, in a similar way to the flowers of chamomile. Calendula is said to be a very healing herb, especially with digestive issues and can also be found in many natural beauty products. Lavender flowers are also commonly used as an herbal tea ingredient, particularly to promote a good night’s sleep. 

Actual tea

For those who simply prefer a traditional cup of tea, it is possible to grow it here in the UK! The tea plant is called Camellia sinensis and similarly to plants in the camellia family, it prefers an acidic soil in which to grow. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has exhibited it in shows around the country and further information on how to grow your own cup of tea can be found here.

Growing tips 

Herbs can be easily grown in any space – big or small, from pots and planters, to windowsills or balconies. Most herbs grow well in well drained pots, some will even grow indoors on kitchen windowsills providing they get enough light. Online sites like Pinterest provide lots of interesting and creative photos of ways in which to grow and display herbs – such as tiered on outdoor shelving or ladders. 

The process of growing herbs is the same for growing any plant – put it in a place that it favours and keep on top of watering, especially if the herbs are growing in pots in the warmer months. Harvest the herbs regularly and either use the leaves or flowers immediately or dry them out for future use.

How to make herbal tea

Very minimal equipment is needed to make herbal tea: an infuser/strainer, a teapot if making more than one cup and a means of boiling water. It’s simple – just add some freshly picked herbs, or dried herbs into your infuser or teapot and add  boiled water, not boiling water. Leave the herbs to steep for up to five minutes, slightly less if you’re using dried herbs and then it is ready to strain, drink and enjoy.

For much more detail on all things herbal, then Jekka McVika’s website is your go-to source. It contains detailed information on herbs used for infusions and their properties. Jekka runs an herb farm in the South West of England and offers a range of courses, workshops and herb-based products for sale. Importantly, and something I wish to reiterate, on Jekka’s website she has a disclaimer that emphasises to only make brews from herbs that you are certain are edible. In addition only let infusions steep for the recommended time and always consult a doctor if you have particular health conditions or are pregnant and unsure about what is advisable to drink. 

Overall, the health and wellbeing benefits of planning, planting, growing, harvesting, preparing and drinking your own home-grown herbal teas are numerous. I urge you to make time to experiment in your own space and it’s worth noting that all the herbs you grow are multifunctional in that you can also use them for culinary and medicinal purposes. Plus, when in flower, they also look beautiful and are great for attracting and supporting pollinators. What’s not to love?!