Having your very own herbal tea garden is beneficial, rewarding and very easy to create. When I first started growing herbs, I wasn't sure where to start. I didn't let that stop me though, and with a little bit of research, I was ready to buy my first plant.
Once I discovered how easy it was, I gained the confidence I needed to expand my selections. I started to take note of just how much money I was saving while enjoying the healing properties of these plants. I also noticed that most herbs are easy to grow and don't require much space.
Here is a list of five varieties to get you started today! After harvesting your homegrown herbs, you will be sitting back and relaxing with a cup of delicious tea!
1. CALENDULA
If you have a garden, you definitely want to grow calendula! I wish I had discovered this herb earlier on in my days of gardening. Calendula is in the same family as the chrysanthemum. It can be used to make dyes and add flavor to your favorite dishes. This herb can aid with treating cuts and wounds, skin infections, conjunctivitis and even reduces fevers. It is also known to help with stomach pains and inflamed lymph nodes. Calendula is a deer resistant plant that will attract bees to your garden.
Growing Information
Annual/Perennial: Annual
Light Requirement: Full sun
Height: Up to 2 feet
Space: 10-12 inches
Planting Time: Spring, Summer
*Add 1 tablespoon of dried calendula flowers to 1 cup of boiling water*
2. GERMAN CHAMOMILE
Chamomile is known to be a great natural sleep aid. It has also been said to help with anxiety, nausea and headaches. This herb has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also help those suffering from allergies. Along with being delicious in teas, chamomile is also a wonderful companion plant that will attract beneficial pollinators to your garden.
Growing Information
Annual/Perennial: Annual
Light Requirement: Full sun
Height: Up to 2 feet
Space: 12-14 inches
Planting Time: Spring, Summer
*Add 1 tablespoon of dried chamomile blossoms to 1 cup of boiling water*
3. LAVENDER
When you first start growing lavender, it is important to note that there are many varieties to choose from. You want to make sure you pick a culinary variety to make tea with. You want to look for English lavender, otherwise known as Lavandula angustifolia. A common variety I enjoy growing is Munstead. This herb is great for treating insomnia with it's relaxing and soothing properties. It also helps with headaches, anxiety and even chronic bad breath.
Growing Information
Annual/Perennial: Perennial
Light Requirement: Full sun
Height: Up to 2 1/2 feet
Space: 12-18 inches
Planting Time: Spring, Summer
*Add 1 teaspoon of dried lavender blossoms to 1 cup of boiling water*
4. LEMON BALM
Lemon balm was one of the first herbs I planted in my garden. I'm still harvesting from that original plant today. It is extremely hardy and has strong healing properties. It is known to help reduce anxiety, treat insomnia and help reduce restlessness and stress. Many warn that the plant can take over the garden. You won't have that problem if you harvest often and don't let it produce seeds. If you enjoy lemon balm, check out my recipe for calming and stress reducing lemon balm and lavender iced tea.
Growing Information
Annual/Perennial: Perennial
Light Requirement: Full sun
Height: Up to 2 feet
Space: 12-18 inches
Planting Time: Spring, Summer
*Add 1 tablespoon of dried leaves to 1 cup of boiling water*
5. PEPPERMINT
You need to grow peppermint in your herbal tea garden. It's important to note that it tends to do better growing alone in it's own pot. You will read about it's aggressive nature. Like a carefree spirit, it's roots will want to wander and roam. There is no need to be afraid of growing this plant as long as you keep it contained. When I first started my garden, I grew my mint in containers and never had any issues with them. It is known to aid in digestion, help regulate blood pressure, sooth sore throats and reduce coughing. Keep this on hand for cold and flu season!
Growing Information
Annual/Perennial: Perennial
Light Requirement: Full sun
Height: Up to 2 feet
Space: 18-24 inches
Planting Time: Spring, Summer
*Add 1 tablespoon of dried leaves to 1 cup of boiling water*
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Have you thought about growing your own herbal tea garden? What varieties would you grow? Tell me all about it in the comment section below! The options are endless. Happy planting!
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8 Comments
Donna Dawson
August 6, 2018 at 11:27 amI did not realize there were so many great herbs out there to treat wounds, ailments and even use for making tea. The best part I can grow them right in my backyard. Thank you for this awesome post. I love the idea of having a go to resource for natural home remedies but I don’t really like bees and I know mint is a natural bee repellent. How far apart should I plant the Calendula to the Mint to not interfere with the pollination of other flowers?
Magnolia Darjeeling
July 21, 2018 at 3:26 pmGreat combination and the possibility truly are endless. this year I started these from seeds and were doing great until a wind storm that blew my greenhouse and everything in it away. So next year, I try again!
Michelle Marine
July 13, 2018 at 4:23 pmThose mints will take over! 🙂 So funny to see mint pop up all over my garden. It actually makes me smile. I’m not much a tee drinker (coffee, please!), but I love all of these plants anyway. <3
Ann
July 10, 2018 at 7:42 pmGreat post! I’ve thought about adding some plants for a tea garden. I drink tea just about everyday and would also save money if I grew it myself. Thanks for sharing!
Jami
July 10, 2018 at 3:05 pmGreat info as usual, Angie! I totally agree with you on the mints – grow them in containers and they will work wonderfully – as long as you keep the flowers trimmed so they don’t spread that way, too. 🙂 Mints are one of the herbs I use most!
Patti
July 10, 2018 at 1:44 pmLove all of these herbs Angie. I grow them all except chamomile. I did grow it a long time ago and I loved the green apple smell it had. Turns out that I’m slightly allergic to the stuff, but it is a beautiful and useful plant.
Shelly
July 10, 2018 at 12:09 pmWe love herbal teas and I agree with growing your own herbs is a great way to save money. They are so expensive in the stores.
We make peppermint and spearmint tea all the time with mint from our garden. It’s so good. I’ll have to see about adding a few more of the plants you suggested and give them a try. I wish we had more full sun areas to grow plants in. We also grow our mint in containers and haven’t had any trouble with them. But I know if they aren’t contained they can really spread out.
Diane Williams
July 10, 2018 at 11:50 amWow! Thanks Angie, I’ve never made tea from my garden. I love the way you set up this post with all the growing tips included. A real Garden to table recipe. I have some of these plants already. Making my planting list!