Camellia sinensis is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree in the flowering plant family Theaceae.Its leaves, leaf buds, and stems can be used to produce tea.Common names include tea plant, tea shrub, and tea tree (unrelated to Melaleuca alternifolia, the source of tea tree oil, or the genus Leptospermum commonly called tea tree).. White tea, yellow tea, green tea, oolong, dark tea (which ...

Jan 14, 2024 · Camellia sinensis, known commonly as tea plant, Assam tea, or tea camellia, is a fragrant, flowering shrub adding winter interest to southern gardens.Its leaves, used for tea, are cultivated around the world and commercially grown in Asia and India. It takes three years for the glossy green leaves to reach maturity for harvesting, …

Nov 19, 2019 · Understanding the tea plant, its growing requirements, and how to harvest the leaves will allow you to enjoy homegrown tea. The same plant can be used to make green, oolong, or black tea. Growing a Tea Shrub . The tea shrub is hardy to Zone 8. The United States is broken up into hardiness zones with similar temperatures and weather patterns.

Mar 13, 2025 · The tea plant is subject to attack from at least 150 insect species and 380 fungal diseases, several of which can cause heavy crop losses. These problems are particularly acute in the plant’s native range. In northeastern India, for example, some 125 pests and 190 pathogenic fungi have been detected, and more than 100 pests and 40 plant ...

Tea plants need protection from frost when they’re young, so it’s best to bring them into a greenhouse or a porch during the first two winters. Watering. Tea plants need plenty of water. When the top 2-4 inches of soil is dry, water the plant deeply. It’s essential to let the soil dry out between each watering though to avoid waterlogging ...

The tea plant, or Camellia sinensis, is the plant from which tea is made. Tea leaves contain caffeine, and the leaves can be processed in different ways to produce different kinds of teas. Any brewed tea including Camellia sinensis is a proper tea, while those without Camellia sinensis—usually made from mixtures of herbs and flowers—are ...

The attractive dense dark-green leaves and blooms make it a good plant for screening, foundation planting, hedge, or an attractive patio or container plant. For optimal tea production, it is best to prune to 4-5' just before spring growth to encourage shoots. The flowers attract bees and it is mildly resistant to damage by deer.

Camellia sinensis, commonly known as Tea Tree or Tea Plant, is a small evergreen shrub or tree renowned for its leaves, which are used to produce green, black, oolong, and white teas. Native to East Asia, it belongs to the Theaceae family, along with ornamental camellias such as Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua. This versatile plant ...

For optimal tea production, or to control the plant size, prune to 4 to 5 feet just before spring growth. Lore: According to legend, tea has been known in China since about 2700 bce. Around the 3rd century ce it became a daily drink, and tea cultivation and processing began. Smaller young leaves and leaf buds are used for making green tea, the ...

Mar 6, 2025 · pH Level: Tea plants thrive in acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 6.0. You can test your soil pH using a soil testing kit. If your soil is too alkaline, you can lower the pH by adding sulfur or aluminum sulfate. Drainage: Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. Tea plants prefer loamy soil that allows water to drain freely.