🍵 Tea Plant
Camellia sinensis
tea_and_beverage
evergreen shrub
☀️ Sun
partial shade to full sun
💧 Water
consistent moisture
🗺️ Zones
[7,8,9]
🧪 Soil pH
4.5-6.0
🪴 Soil Type
well-drained, rich, humusy
📏 Spacing
3-5 ft (hedge)
📐 Height
3-6 ft (pruned); 30+ ft wild
⏱️ Maturity
3 yrs to first harvest
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (4)
Both acid-loving
Nutrient accumulator; mulch for shallow roots
Living mulch; fixes nitrogen
Classic acid-loving woodland companions
⚠️ Keep Apart (1)
⚠️ plants needing alkaline soil
Tea demands acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.0); lime kills it
📝 Growing Notes
ALL true tea comes from this ONE plant. Differences are entirely in processing (oxidation). Harvest the bud + first two leaves (the 'flush').
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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