How to Grow Tea at Home: grow your own black, green, oolong tea

Tea is a popular world beverage that has multiple forms, flavors, and umpteen brewing recipes across the world, making each mug different and soulful. We get to see a variety of teas each day, brought from the markets. Have you ever wondered how to grow tea at home that you can enjoy all the time? Growing tea plants is easy and it’s time you fill your life and your garden with aromatic teas.

Here is a detailed account on growing, storing, and brewing your own perfect cup of tea, right out of your yard!

How Does Tea Grow?

The quality of tea and the flavor depends on the environs it grows in. Much like wine tastes different depending on the kind of atmosphere it’s cured in, tea takes different tastes according to the surroundings. Mostly, tea grows in acidic soils which are well-drained and a little sandy. Though it needs a lot of rainfall to grow in (40 inches per year!), during cultivation domestically, it can be grown at almost any altitude be it sea level or mountains as high as 1.3 miles above sea level. The shrub grows to about 3 to 7 feet in height. 

Growing through seeds – In nature, tea plants Camellia sinensis can be grown by natural scattering of Camellia sinensis seeds which are made by pollination of the plants. However, this is not a very viable form of propagation. Usually, using grafts, cultivars (plants with known flavors and nature of resulting tea beverage), and the like.

Growing from shoot system – Grafting and cuttings are common in farms and plantations because they preserve the beverage’s flavoring, color, aroma, and concentration. You will most probably get a grafted tea plant at the nursery where there are Camellia sinensis plants for sale, which you can buy and grow. 

Growing Your Own Tea at Home – outdoors

Growing a tea plant outdoors requires a suitable environment, proper soil conditions, and regular maintenance. Here are some general steps you can follow:

• Choose a suitable location: Tea plants require a warm and humid climate with a temperature range of 60-75°F (15-24°C) and well-draining soil. Choose a location that receives partial shade or filtered sunlight for best results (or a greenhouse).

• If growing your plant from seeds – soak them overnight, plant them in acidic soil-filled starters the next day, and place in a shady spot until they germinate.

• Prepare the soil: Tea plants grow best in acidic soil with a pH between 4.5-6.0. Mix peat moss or organic matter into the soil to increase acidity and improve soil structure.

• Plant the tea plant: Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and place the plant in it. Backfill the hole with soil and tamp down gently. Water the plant thoroughly after planting.

• Watering: Tea plants require regular watering, especially during hot and dry weather. Water the plant deeply once a week or when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.

• Fertilizing: Tea plants benefit from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season, from spring to fall.

• Pruning: Prune the tea plant regularly to maintain its shape and promote new growth. Remove dead or diseased branches and prune back to encourage branching.

• Harvesting: Tea leaves can be harvested when they are young and tender. Pick the top two leaves and a bud and dry them in a warm, dry place until they are crisp. (see below for drying and making tea.)

Grow Your Own Tea – indoors

Growing a tea plant indoors can be a bit more challenging than growing it outdoors because tea plants require a lot of light, humidity, and proper soil conditions. Here are some general steps you can follow:

• Choose a suitable location: Choose a bright, sunny location for your tea plant, such as a south-facing window. Tea plants require at least six hours of sunlight per day to grow properly.

• If growing your plant from seeds – soak them overnight, plant them in acidic soil-filled starters the next day, and place in a shady spot until they germinate.

• Prepare the soil: Use a well-draining, acidic potting mix. You can mix peat moss or organic matter into the soil to increase acidity and improve soil structure.

• Plant the tea plant: Plant your tea plant in a pot that is at least 12 inches (30 cm) wide and deep. Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging. Backfill the pot with soil and tamp down gently. Water the plant thoroughly after planting.

• Watering: Tea plants require regular watering. Water the plant deeply when the topsoil feels dry to the touch, but do not overwater as this can cause root rot.

• Humidity: Tea plants thrive in humid environments. You can increase the humidity around the plant by misting it with water or placing a humidifier nearby.

• Fertilizing: Tea plants benefit from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season, from spring to fall.

• Pruning: Prune the tea plant regularly to maintain its shape and promote new growth. Remove dead or diseased branches and prune back to encourage branching.

• Harvesting: Tea leaves can be harvested when they are young and tender. Pick the top two leaves and a bud and dry them in a warm, dry place until they are crisp. (see below for drying and making tea.)

With proper care, a tea plant can grow into a beautiful houseplant and provide you with delicious, home-grown tea.

Where to Get Tea Seeds and Tea Plants for Sale

Buy a tea plant from Etsy here. Or you could get this tea plant from Etsy. If you are looking for seeds, this nursery sells many varieties of tea plant seeds. Personally, I went with a couple of tea starter plants and then propagated more as needed.

How to Dry Tea Leaves

Typically, the plucked leaves undergo a series of processes — wilting, oxidation, and drying — before roasting to come to a certain level of flavor and aroma. The process of drying tea leaves is different for different teas, though and we will cover processing your home–grown teas into black, green, and oolong.

How to Make Green Tea 

• Pluck the youngest of leaves and buds from your green tea plant. 
• You will need to blot the leaves and let them dry out completely in the shade. 
• You should now steam the leaves (on flame/stove) or roast on the skillet (2 mins max.)
• Next, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 250F, 20 mins.
• Green tea is done! Store in an airtight box to preserve freshness. 

Note: drying the leaves in shade ensures the leaves stay green.

How to Make Black Tea 

• Pluck the youngest tender leaves and buds from your black tea plant (which is the same as the green tea plant, or any tea plant!)
• Roll your harvest in your hands, crush them, and let them darken.
• Spread it on a hard surface and let dry for 3 days (also called withering).
• Now bake the leaves at 250F for 20 mins and store in an airtight container. 

Note: The handling of the leaves is most important here. That will give color to the tea.

How to Make Oolong Tea 

• Pluck the most tender leaves and buds.
• Take a towel, spread the leaves on it in the sun, and let wilt (withering process). It should be done in 45 mins.
• After getting them inside, let them cool down to room temperature for a couple of hours.
• Move them around on the towel every hour.
• Notice how the leaves’ edges turn red as they dry out. Bake these for 20 mins at 250F and later store in an airtight container.

Note: This tea is different from other teas in a very crucial detail of slow and drawn-out withering. This gives it its characteristic color and aroma. 

How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Tea?

Well, well… there is no one standard cup of tea that would be perfect for everyone – some might like it strong, some like it light, some sweet… However, the definition of perfect here is the one which most people like, or one that most people associate with when talking about tea.

Here is how:

• Place the tea leaves in the pot – one tablespoon per person and one for the pot. 
• Warm the china pot (a traditional endearment to tea making) using hot water over the tea leaves. Cold water shock can ruin the taste of tea.
• Now stir the leaves or bags in to diffuse the flavor properly. 
• Let it stay in (called mashing) for a good 3-4 minutes so that the infusion is optimal.
• Now add hot milk. Adding it later helps control the strength of the tea, though milk first is also a way and you can try both and then choose what is good for you. 

So now that you have learned how to grow tea on your own, it’s time to enjoy some delectable flavors right from your fresh produce. Go brew that perfect cup now.