Chamomile tea has been shown to improve sleep quality. A 2016 study found that women who drank chamomile tea for two weeks reported better sleep quality than those who did not.1
Growing your own herbal tea garden is a wonderful way to enjoy fresh, flavorful teas while reaping the many benefits these plants offer. Not only will you have a beautiful and fragrant garden, but you’ll also have access to various herbs that can help reduce stress, aid digestion, and provide a delicious and healthy beverage.
Whether you have a large backyard or a small balcony, you can easily cultivate these 15 herbs in your home tea garden.
1. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
Peppermint is a classic tea herb known for its refreshing, cooling flavor and invigorating aroma. This hardy perennial is easy to grow and thrives in partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. Peppermint is rich in menthol, which has been shown to aid digestion, relieve stress, and improve focus.
To harvest, snip the stems just above a leaf node when the plant is about 6 inches tall. Hang the stems in small bundles to dry in a cool, dark place for about a week before storing the leaves in an airtight container.
2. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile is a beloved herb for its calming, apple-like flavor and ability to promote relaxation and better sleep. This annual grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. Chamomile contains an antioxidant called apigenin, which is linked to reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality.
Harvest the flowers when fully open and dry them on a screen or paper towel in a warm, dry place for several days. Store the dried flowers in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
3. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm is a fragrant, lemony herb that makes a delightful tea on its own or blended with other herbs. This perennial prefers partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. Lemon balm has been used for centuries to relieve stress, improve mood, and aid digestion.
Harvest the leaves in the morning after the dew has dried. Hang the stems upside down in small bundles to dry in a cool, dark place for about a week before storing the leaves in an airtight container.
4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is a fragrant herb with a floral, slightly sweet flavor that adds a unique twist to tea blends. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Lavender has been shown to have calming effects and may help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.
Harvest the flowers just before they fully open and dry them on a screen or paper towel in a warm, dry place for several days. Store the dried flowers in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
5. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea, also known as purple coneflower, is a beautiful perennial with immune-boosting properties. The petals and leaves can make a slightly sweet, earthy tea. Echinacea prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Studies suggest that echinacea may help reduce the duration and severity of colds and flu.
Harvest the petals and leaves when the flowers are in full bloom. Dry them on a screen or paper towel in a warm, dry place for several days before storing them in an airtight container.
6. Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
Lemon verbena is a fragrant herb with a bright, lemony flavor that makes iced tea refreshing. This tender perennial prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Lemon verbena is rich in antioxidants and is traditionally used to aid digestion and relieve stress.
Harvest the leaves in the morning after the dew has dried. Hang the stems upside down in small bundles to dry in a cool, dark place for about a week before storing the leaves in an airtight container.
7. Rosehips (Rosa canina)
Rosehips are the fruit of the rose plant and are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants. They have a tart, slightly sweet flavor and make a delicious tea on their own or blended with other herbs. Rosehips are best harvested in the fall after the first frost when soft and bright red.
Dry the rosehips whole on a screen or paper towel in a warm, dry place for several days before storing them in an airtight container. Crush or grind the dried rosehips before brewing for maximum flavor and nutrient extraction.
8. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Lemongrass is a tropical herb with a citrusy, slightly sweet flavor that makes a refreshing iced tea. This tender perennial prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Lemongrass has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Harvest the stalks when they are about 1/2 inch thick and at least 12 inches tall. Cut the stalks at ground level and remove the outer leaves. Chop the inner stalks into 1-inch pieces and dry them on a screen or paper towel in a warm, dry place for several days before storing them in an airtight container.
9. Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is a sacred herb in Ayurvedic medicine known for its stress-relieving and immune-boosting properties. It has a spicy, clove-like flavor and makes a warming, soothing tea. Tulsi is an annual that prefers full sun and well-draining soil.
Harvest the leaves and flowers when the plant is in full bloom. Hang the stems upside down in small bundles to dry in a cool, dark place for about a week before storing the leaves and flowers in an airtight container.
10. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Anise hyssop is a beautiful perennial with a sweet, licorice-like flavor that makes a delightful tea. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Anise hyssop is rich in antioxidants and has been used traditionally to aid digestion and relieve respiratory issues.
Harvest the leaves and flowers when the plant is in full bloom. Hang the stems upside down in small bundles to dry in a cool, dark place for about a week before storing the leaves and flowers in an airtight container.
11. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is known for its bright yellow-orange flowers and soothing properties. The petals are used to make tea, which is believed to have anti-inflammatory and healing effects.
Calendula prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is an easy-to-grow annual that can self-seed, providing flowers year after year. The petals can be harvested and dried for tea, and the plant is also used in skin care products due to its healing properties.
12. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage is another herb with a strong, distinctive flavor and numerous health benefits. It has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, including aiding digestion and reducing inflammation. The leaves can be used fresh or dried for tea.
Sage is drought-tolerant and easy to grow, making it a reliable addition to your tea garden. The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season, providing a constant supply for your tea blends.
13. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme is a fragrant perennial with a slightly minty, earthy flavor that makes a comforting tea. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Thyme is rich in antioxidants and has antimicrobial properties that may help boost the immune system and relieve respiratory issues.
Harvest the leaves and stems before the plant flowers and hang them upside down in small bundles to dry in a cool, dark place for about a week before storing the leaves in an airtight container.
14. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Fennel is a fragrant perennial with a sweet, licorice-like flavor that makes a soothing tea. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Fennel has been used traditionally to aid digestion, relieve bloating, and freshen breath.
Fennel can be grown as a perennial in warmer climates and as an annual in cooler areas. Harvesting fennel seeds and leaves provides a versatile addition to your tea garden, and the plant also attracts beneficial insects.
15. Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)
Stevia is a natural sweetener that can be used to sweeten your homegrown teas without adding calories or sugar. This tender perennial prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Stevia is up to 150 times sweeter than sugar and has been shown to have potential benefits for blood sugar control.
Harvest the leaves when the plant is mature and dry them on a screen or paper towel in a warm, dry place for several days before storing in an airtight container. Use the dried leaves to sweeten your teas to taste.
Growing your own herbal tea garden is a fun and rewarding way to enjoy fresh, flavorful teas while reaping the many health benefits of these versatile plants. With a little patience and care, you can create a beautiful and bountiful tea garden that will provide you with delicious, homegrown teas for years.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.