There’s nothing quite like sipping a cup of fresh herbal tea made from plants you grew yourself. I started my own tea garden a couple years ago to save money on organic tea bags from the store. What I didn’t expect was how much joy I’d get from the beauty of these herbs and the pollinators that come to visit them—not to mention the aromatherapy when you rub your fingers on the leaves!
Today, I’ll walk you through 12 of the best herbs to grow for homemade tea, along with tips to ensure your plants thrive, even if you’re just starting out.
The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have any health conditions, or are taking medications.
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1. MINT
Mint is a classic herb for tea lovers. Not only is its refreshing flavor hard to beat, it’s also great to sip when you have a headache or stomach ache or just need to focus. Fun fact: The menthol in mint leaves tricks your tongue into thinking it’s cold.
I grow mint varieties like spearmint and peppermint, but feel free to experiment with other types, such as chocolate mint. Mint thrives in full sun to partial shade and does best in well-drained soil.
Be warned, though: mint is a vigorous grower and can easily take over your garden. I recommend growing it in a container to keep it from spreading. Harvest mint often to encourage more growth, and don’t be afraid to prune it back hard if it starts to sprawl.
Tea Tip: Mint makes a delicious, cooling tea on its own or blends well with other herbs, like lemon balm or chamomile. I like to steep mint leaves for a bit longer than other herbs (about 15 minutes) for a really minty tea.
2. CALENDULA
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is more than just a beautiful flower in the garden. Its petals are edible and have anti-inflammatory properties, making it a wonderful addition to your tea blends.
Calendula prefers full sun and will bloom continuously if you deadhead (remove spent flowers) regularly. Harvest the petals for tea after the flowers have fully opened but before they begin to fade. Dry them in a cool, airy place.
Tea Tip: Steep dried petals in hot water for a calming and soothing tea, or mix it with mint for an extra burst of flavor. If you find calendula a little too bitter, consider mixing in some honey, agave, or maple syrup (pure maple syrup, not table syrup, so you get all those antioxidants).
3. LEMON BALM
Lemon balm is one of my favorite herbs to grow. The leaves have a gentle lemon flavor that’s perfect in a calming tea. The plants are easy to grow and flourish in full sun to partial shade. Just like mint, lemon balm can spread quickly, so growing it in its own container is a good option.
Lemon balm enjoys regular watering and well-drained soil. Pinch back the tips of your lemon balm regularly to prevent it from flowering and keep the plant bushy and productive.
Tea Tip: Harvest the leaves when they’re young for the best flavor. Use it fresh or dried to create a refreshing, uplifting tea.
4. LEMON VERBENA
If you love that fresh citrusy taste in your tea, lemon verbena is a must-have. This tender perennial loves full sun and rich, well-drained soil. In colder climates, you’ll need to bring it indoors during the winter, but it does well in pots and can thrive on a sunny windowsill.
Harvest the leaves throughout the growing season, but if you’re overwintering it indoors, give it a big prune at the end of the season to encourage new growth in spring.
Tea Tip: Use freshly picked lemon verbena leaves for the most intense flavor, or dry them for future use. It’s a great herb for blending with mint or chamomile.
5. CHAMOMILE
Chamomile is known for its calming properties and delicate flavor. I like growing both German and Roman chamomile, but German chamomile is more commonly used in teas.
This herb loves full sun and well-drained soil. It can tolerate light frost, making it a great option for cooler seasons. Pick the chamomile flowers when they are fully open and dry them for later use. A fine mesh screen works great for drying these delicate blooms.
Tea Tip: Harvest the flowers when they’re fully open. They can be dried and stored in a jar for months, which makes this an easy herb to enjoy year round.
6. LAVENDER
Lavender not only smells amazing in the garden, but its floral flavor can add a unique touch to your tea blends. Lavender is basically synonymous with relaxation, so grow this one for times of stress and anxiety.
Lavender thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Be careful not to overwater it as it prefers dry conditions.
Harvest lavender flowers when they’re just starting to open for the best fragrance and flavor. You can dry the stems by hanging them upside down in a cool, dark place.
Tea Tip: Use lavender sparingly in tea—it’s strong and can quickly overpower other flavors. Try combining it with chamomile or lemon balm for a soothing bedtime tea.
7. HOLY BASIL (TULSI)
Holy basil, or tulsi, is an ancient herb known for its medicinal properties. This basil variety grows well in full sun and likes slightly moist soil. It’s not fussy and can tolerate a range of growing conditions, but it does need regular watering.
Harvest the leaves when the plant is about a foot tall, and pinch back the flowers to keep the plant focused on producing leaves for your tea.
Tea Tip: Holy basil has a unique, slightly spicy flavor that works wonderfully as a tea by itself or blended with other herbs like mint or lemon balm. Harvest the leaves throughout the growing season and dry them for later use.
8. ENGLISH THYME
Thyme isn’t just for savory cooking—it makes a wonderful herbal tea as well. English thyme, in particular, has a subtle earthy flavor with a hint of mint that pairs well with honey.
Thyme grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established and easy to care for. Trim thyme regularly to prevent it from becoming too woody, and harvest just before the flowers bloom for the best flavor.
Tea Tip: Thyme tea is great for soothing sore throats and coughs. Add some dried or fresh thyme sprigs to hot water, and steep for a few minutes for a comforting tea.
9. OREGANO
While oregano is commonly used in cooking, it also has many health benefits when brewed as tea. Oregano grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s incredibly drought-resistant. It’s overall just a hardy herb that’s easy to grow in both the garden and containers.
For the best flavor, harvest oregano in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun is too strong.
Tea Tip: Oregano tea has a warm, slightly spicy flavor and is great for boosting the immune system. Combine it with thyme and honey for a powerful health tonic.
10. ROSE HIPS
Rose hips, the fruit of a rose bush, are packed with vitamin C and make an excellent tea ingredient. If you grow roses, make sure you’re harvesting from varieties that produce large, flavorful hips.
Rose hips form in late summer or fall, after the roses bloom. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Harvest rose hips in the fall after the first frost, when they’ve turned red and are slightly soft. Be sure to remove the seeds before using them in tea.
Tea Tip: Harvest rose hips after the first frost for the sweetest flavor. You can dry them and steep in hot water for a fruity, tangy tea.
11. PASSION FLOWER
Passion flower is a lovely vine that produces calming, sleep-inducing teas. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and needs a trellis or fence to climb. This plant enjoys regular watering but doesn’t like soggy soil. Passion vine can be invasive, be prepared to have to control its growth each year.
The leaves and flowers are used for tea, so harvest them once the plant is well-established. Be sure to dry them thoroughly before storing.
Tea Tip: Use the dried leaves and flowers to make a calming tea that’s perfect for bedtime. You can also blend it with chamomile or lavender for an extra soothing brew.
12. JASMINE
Jasmine’s fragrant white flowers are often added to green tea, but you can use them alone for a delicate floral tea. Jasmine vines thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, though they do appreciate some afternoon shade in hot climates.
Jasmine flowers are most fragrant when their blooms are opening up (and honestly, is there any fragrance more lovely?), but flowers are typically harvested before opening. You can dry the flowers and mix them with green tea for a classic jasmine tea blend.
Tea Tip: Harvest the jasmine flowers around midday for the most intense flavor. The blossoms will be closed and their essential oils inside most concentrated. Steep them fresh or dried for a subtly sweet and fragrant tea.
FINAL TIPS FOR YOUR TEA GARDEN
Start small if you’re new to gardening. You don’t need to plant all 12 herbs at once—choose a few that appeal to you and expand as you gain confidence.
Use containers to control aggressive growers like mint and lemon balm, and to bring tender plants like lemon verbena indoors during winter.
Harvest regularly to keep your plants producing new growth and to ensure you always have fresh herbs for tea.
Dry your herbs in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space. Once dried, store them in airtight containers to preserve their flavor and medicinal properties.
Again, if you’re just getting started, don’t feel like you need to plant all 12 herbs at once. Begin with a few favorites, like mint or chamomile, and build from there. Most of these herbs are forgiving and easy to grow, even if you’re new to gardening.
And once your tea garden is established, you’ll have a year-round supply of fresh herbs to brew into comforting, homemade teas. You may even find yourself with a large enough supply to make little jars for gifting to friends and family.
Happy growing—and even happier sipping!
