Tea is nature’s herbal relaxation in a cup. If you prefer the taste of fresh herbs and ingredients in your tea, there is no better way to experience that than by growing your own tea ingredients. Here are some herbs you can grow in your own backyard that can be combined to create lots of different flavors and remedies of herbal tea.
Chamomile
One of the most common tea ingredients is chamomile. This plant resembles a daisy, so it looks adorable in a garden, but it is also easily turned into tea. Chamomile tea is used for relaxation and for its calming properties. It helps people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. As an added bonus, chamomile blooms are a favorite of butterflies and honeybees.
Bergamot
If you are a fan of Earl Grey tea, then bergamot is the plant for you. The taste is rich and gives the tea its signature dark citrus flavor. It also does double duty when planted in your vegetable garden. Because of bergamot’s strong citrus aroma, it keeps harmful pests away by masking the attractive scent of vegetable plants.
Jasmine
Jasmine tea is a tried and true tea-lover’s favorite. This tea is not only flavorful, but has a calming aroma that relaxes the drinker. The flower of the jasmine plant is what the tea is made of and it tastes delicate and sweet. Growing jasmine can be a little tricky because unlike most herbs and flowers, jasmine prefers a cool temperature with very little sunlight. Never overwater because this plant despises soggy roots and soil.
Stevia
Stevia is used as a sweetener, so if you like your tea with a hint of sweetness, stevia is a great plant to add to your garden. Stevia does best in a raised bed with sandy soil and it needs regular, consistent watering. To use stevia as a sweetener, pluck a few leaves off the plant and rub your fingers over them to release the flavor. Crush and sprinkle them into your tea to reach your desired level of sweetness.
Peppermint
Peppermint is easy to grow and can be used in a variety of different teas. Just remember that mint is a ground spreading plant and can be hard to contain, so it’s best to plant it in a container to keep it from getting out of hand. To use mint in your tea, just pour boiling water over the leaves and stems in a saucepan or teapot and let them steep for about ten minutes. You can combine mint in about any tea recipe, so let your creative juices flow.
