Tea Seeds

Grow tea with camellia sinensis tea seeds. 10 tea seeds included

How to Grow Tea from Tea Seeds

Tea is one of the oldest and most popular beverages in the world. Its refreshing and revitalizing appeal symbolizes simplicity and tranquility.

Growing and processing tea at home can be a very rewarding experience. It may takes up to 2- 3 years from seed until the tea plant is mature enough for tea production, but a beautiful tea plant and fresh handmade tea are worth the wait.

Camellia Sinensis is an evergreen shrub best suited for zones 6 though zone 8 (Mid-west to Southern US). Growing Tea is colder areas is difficult without a greenhouse or bringing the tea plant indoors. Grow tea in a well-drained and sandy soil that is slightly on the acidic side.

Like fine wine, the quality, flavor, and aroma of tea is influenced by its growing conditions. Some of the finest tea in the world is usually grown at high elevations with ample rainfall year round. (at least 40 inches). Tea plants thrive on misty well drained hillsides.

A typical tea plant will produce several thousand tea leaves per year. For a consistent daily supply for a family a hedge will be needed.

Requirements for Growing Tea from seeds
Tea Seeds
Well Draining Soil
Water, sunlight, etc.
Tea Seeds

Tea seeds are relatively easy to grow as long as the seeds are never alloed to completely dry out. Your tea seeds will ship in a sealed bag with a moist paper towel. If you are not planting right away, store the tea seeds in a refrigerator. Tea seeds left at room temperature will rapidly loose moisture and become less viable.

Soak the tea seeds in water for 24 hours prior to planting. Plant the seeds in a small pot or seed starting containers, and cover with approx. 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil. Soil should be a mixture of 2/3 aged bark and 1/3 perlite.

Water frequently to keep the soil moist, but not wet a misting spray bottle works well.

Tea plants prefer a humid environment and can be grow indoors near a window. During very cold weather bring the tea plants inside to prevent frost damage.

Place the plants in a shaded area until the seeds begin to sprout, then gradually move outdoors into sunlight. If using grow lights inside or in a greenhouse, make sure the plants receive approximately 12 hours of light.

Regular watering 1-2 times per week in the first year is needed as roots establish.

Germination of the tea seeds could take up to 4-8 weeks to sprout. The seeds will sprout at varying times.

Tea is naturally resistant to most pests, pesticides are not recommended especially if you are planning to drink your homemade tea.