I think we have established how much I LOVE tea. If not, let’s just say, it is my faithful sidekick, so growing a garden that I can literally turn into tea seems like the logical next step. Point being, I’m thinking about doing one this year.
All you need to grow an herbal tea garden is a sunny spot–and not a very big one at that. Most of the herbs you grow for tea are also pretty to look at, so if you don’t have a spot outdoors, try a sunny window sill inside. If you are planting them outside, you can plant them in pots or straight into your garden beds {except for the mint–you will regret it if you don’t plant it in pots, it spreads and gets out of control fast}. I’m thinking I am going to keep mine in pots, herb garden style.
Here’s a list {not an exhaustive one, by any means} of herbs you can grow:
- Lavender. Seriously, it adds a really nice flavor to tea and has a calming effect to boot.
- Bergamot. It adds an orange flavor to your tea.
- Mint. Make sure to keep this one in a container and not in your garden beds–they will spread like a weed. Meanwhile, peppermint adds a minty flavor to your tea, and as an added bonus, mint can help to calm an upset stomach, so you can whip up some mint tea the next time you have a little indigestion.
- Chamomile. Chamomile tea will help you sleep and smells amazing. It is the foundation of ANY tea garden, in my opinion.
- Roses. So, not really an herb, but still awesome for tea. Not only are they beautiful, but the petals also make a really nice and refreshing tea. {Make sure you don’t spray your petals with nasty stuff if you plan to use them for tea.} Plus, the bees love them, so you are pretty much doing your whole garden a favor.
- Lemon Balm. This makes a fantastic tea. It has a nice lemon flavor {obviously} that is still pretty subtle. Like mint, it also helps settle an upset stomach and has relaxing properties like chamomile.
- Lemon Thyme. You will be able to use this one for tea and cooking. It has a very fresh flavor, and it does alright in some shade, which makes it a little more versatile.
- Rosemary. It has a very distinct flavor, which people either love or hate. It is also one that tolerates a little shade.
There are tons more options, but those are my personal favorites. To make tea from your plants, you can use them fresh or dry them in your dehydrator first {you can also dehydrate them in the sun outdoors, but it takes quite a bit longer}. Store the dried herbs in an airtight container for tea all year long. You can even order tea bags, if you want to get fancy or give them as gifts.
What do you think, will you be giving it a try this year?
~Mavis
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Vicki says
Is it hard to grow real tea?
Mari says
Hi Mavis, this is a good list but may I add a couple more??.
Lemon scented Verbena has more taste than lemon balm and the leaves dry well and keep their taste. Pop a couple of leaves in your water bottle and you have a light lemon taste.
I also always have sage on hand. This is excellent for fevers and sore throats. Couple it with some lemon verbena or thyme and a few gratings of ginger and you will beat a sore throat or fever quickly. It is also very refreshing on a hot day and helps with ‘hot flashes’.
On mentioning a waterbottle… make up your favourite herbal tea and fill your bottle to have a healthy drink with you where ever you go.
Rose says
These are some great suggestions. I have lemon thyme, but never thought to make tea with it.
I love my bay laurel, since bay leaf tea is something my mother used to give me for a stomach ache.
All of these are good in simple syrups as well, to make sparkling sodas when the weather warms up.
Jezibels says
Please please please beware of planting Lemon Balm, it grows and spreads everywhere, it is like mint and will even take over where grass currently resides. Of everything I have ever planted in my life this is one I wish I had never ever planted….ever!
http://invasive.org/browse/subinfo.cfm?sub=14130
Rosie says
I can attest to what Jezebels is saying about the lemon balm, funny I was just going to tell you about it. I have made the biggest mistake by planting both. I have ripped them out only to have them, especially the mint, take over my gardens all around my property! Please do yourselves a favor and only plant both of these in containers. One year I got so fed up trying to get rid of the mint that I just let it go, I have to say it was a very pretty plant with blue/purple flowers and the bees just love it! Now I just TRY to keep it under control, HA, like that will happen. Right now I would give anything to be outside pulling that stuff up just to be in the warmth of the summer sun, this winter has been the pits!
Chris says
I was just going to say the same thing. My husband lovingly planted it in with my other herbs and within 2 years, we were working hard to get rid of it. That took another 2 years. It’s really a member of the mint family. However, that said … it’s the source for citronella. I used it in bouquets in the bathroom and on our deck and I loved stuffing it in a roasted chicken. I did also make tea from it and loved the smell as I picked it. I will grow it again … just in a pot!
Karen W says
I agree 100%! I planted lemon balm about four years ago. Every year I rip it out, and every year it comes back. Just yesterday I dug out about 80% of my herb garden because it’s just overrun with the stuff. Of course the good part of that is that now I get to start over with all new herb varieties! 🙂
Emily says
You can also dry your herbs in paper lunch bags in the fridge. I can’t say I timed mine, but I think it took a few weeks to get completely dry.
Chamomile has been the only plant I’ve ever had an aphid problem with. Is it particularly susceptible, or did mine just get unlucky the year I grew it?
Ellie says
I grow a wealth of different herbs with varying degrees of success, thanks for the tea suggestion!! Never thought of that!! I have been using them in cooking or for bath products thus far, but tea will now have to be tried and tested!!
Treva says
America’s Test Kitchen had a blurb in one of their magazines a while back about drying herbs in the microwave. I have done it several times with different herbs, and it works well. It usually takes about a minute or two. Just play with it. I haven’t tried it with the herbs that you mentioned, but it is worth a try. I just found your blog and I love it!
lea says
I have had lemon balm growing in my herb garden for about 7 years. Perhaps I harvest mine earlier than most but mine has not spread at all. I don’t let it go to seed. Or … mine is just well behaved??
Hazel says
I guess the climate where you are will affect growth, but I think it might be your harvest time that makes the biggest difference.
Although lemon balm is a member of the mint family, it doesn’t spread by runners in the same way. The plant clumps up, but won’t spread into lawns or under paths like mint can. It does self-seed madly though and here in the UK at least, will pop up anywhere- driveways, in between the kerb and the road, in between paving slabs…
I don’t mind though- I love lemon balm tea 🙂