Herbs for Tea

1. Mint

Choose from several types of mint, including peppermint, lemon, chocolate, spearmint, and apple mint, to flavor green tea. Mint leaves are easy to grow, but the plants can spread aggressively, so growing mint in containers is recommended.

Place the container near the kitchen door for convenient harvesting.

Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade; rich, moist soil

Size: Up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide

Zones: 5–9

2. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm adds a fresh, citrusy flavor to green tea. To grow it from seed, direct-sow seeds after the last frost or start seeds indoors in small pots about 5–6 weeks before the average last frost date.

Cut back this perennial herb immediately after flowering to help prevent it from self-seeding.

Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil

Size: Up to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide

Zones: 3–7

3. Anise Hyssop

Anise hyssop adds a pleasant licorice-like flavor to tea. It is tolerant of heat and drought and can be planted directly in the ground in early spring after the soil has completely thawed.

The plant produces attractive flower spikes in purple, pink, red, orange, and white throughout summer. Its flowers also attract pollinators.

Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil

Size: Up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide

Zones: 4–8

4. Lavender

English lavender is the best lavender variety for strongly fragrant floral tea and is also the preferred type for culinary use.

For the best fragrance and flavor, harvest lavender flowers before they fully open.

Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Size: Up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide

Zones: 5–8

5. Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena adds a strong lemony aroma and flavor to tea. Its shiny leaves also add visual interest to an herb garden and attract beneficial pollinators.

Purchase a starter plant and grow it in a container near the kitchen door for easy access to fresh leaves and its pleasant fragrance.

Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Size: Up to 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide

Zones: 8–10

6. Lemongrass

Lemongrass develops a refreshing fragrance and flavor when its leaves are steeped in hot water.

In warm climates, lemongrass can be grown in the garden year-round. In areas below Zone 9, grow it as an annual or keep it in containers and overwinter the plants indoors.

Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Size: Up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide

Zones: 8–11

7. Pineapple Sage

Pineapple sage has fruit-scented leaves that can add aroma and flavor to both hot and iced tea.

Its bright red flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. In warm climates it can grow as a perennial, while in colder areas it can be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors in containers.

Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Size: Up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide

Zones: 8–10

8. Chamomile

Chamomile leaves, stems, and flowerheads can all be brewed into an apple-flavored tea with a calming effect.

This easy-to-grow herb works well in rock gardens, where it can soften hard surfaces and gradually cover the soil. It also grows well in containers.

Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil

Size: Up to 1 foot tall and 1 foot wide