Have you ever brewed your own tea straight from the garden? If not, this might be the year to start.
I’ve been growing herbs for years—most often to help repel garden pests and attract beneficial insects to my vegetables. It’s something I talk about often in my blog and include in my No Fuss Garden Online Course. But this spring, I decided to expand my herb garden with a specific purpose in mind: a garden just for tea.
I added a few new plants that are perfect for brewing herbal teas. My mints and lemon balm are now growing in containers beside the shed, where they won’t spread out of control. And I planted bee balm next to the greenhouse, where it will spread and return each spring. Not only are these herbs useful, but they’re also beautiful too—and they make walking through the garden smell incredible.
Why Grow a Tea Garden?
If you already grow herbs like basil or oregano, you know how satisfying it is to cook with something you grew yourself. A tea garden takes that same idea and turns it into a relaxing ritual. Whether you enjoy a warm cup of lemon balm tea in the evening or a cooling mint infusion on a hot day, your tea garden is your personal wellness corner. I enjoy placing mint leaves into a bottle of cold water, returning to the refrigerator, and grab it after I work in the garden.
And you don’t need a big yard or raised bed to get started. Mints and lemon balm are both great for containers. Bee balm is a perennial and will come back year after year with bright, showy blooms—and it’s also a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
A Few Herbs to Try in Your Tea Garden
You don’t need to plant a dozen herbs to enjoy fresh tea. Start with a few that are easy to grow and offer a range of flavors and benefits.
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Mint – Refreshing and cooling, perfect hot or iced. Try spearmint or peppermint.
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Lemon Balm – Light lemon flavor, known for its calming properties.
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Bee Balm (Monarda) – Slightly spicy and floral, often used to treat colds and sore throats.
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Chamomile – Gentle and soothing, especially in the evenings.
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Tulsi (Holy Basil) – A staple in Ayurvedic medicine with a slightly spicy, clove-like taste.
Tips for a Simple Tea Garden
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Contain the spreaders. Mints and lemon balm will take over a garden bed if you let them. Containers are the way to go.
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Harvest regularly. Pinch off leaves before the plant flowers to keep growth going.
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Dry extras. You can dry leaves for tea to use in the off-season—just tie small bunches and hang them upside down, or use a dehydrator.
Herbs with More than One Job
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m all about getting multiple uses from your plants. These tea herbs aren’t just for your mug—they can also support your vegetable garden. Bee balm attracts pollinators, lemon balm repels mosquitoes, and mint can help keep ants and cabbage moths away. It’s a win-win.
Ready to Start Your Tea Garden?
All it takes is a couple of containers and a few healthy herb starts. Whether you grow them for tea, for pollinators, or to support your vegetable garden, these herbs are easy to grow and rewarding to use.
And once you brew your first cup straight from your garden, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.
4 Herbal Tea Blends to Try
1. Calm & Cozy
● 1 part chamomile
● 1 part lavender
● ½ part lemon balm A gentle, floral blend that relaxes body and mind.
2. Zesty Wake-Up
● 1 part lemongrass
● 1 part mint
● ½ part rosemary A bright, refreshing tea to start your day or lift your mood.
3. Sweet Dreams
- 1 part chamomile
- 1 part lemon balm
- Pinch of dried rose petals
A dreamy, fragrant tea to help you unwind before bed.
4. Cozy Cup
1 part lemon balm, 1 part mint, ½ part lavender
A mellow, everyday tea — perfect for relaxing with a book or during quiet moments
Download and Print This Herbal Tea Mini Guide Download Here
You might also enjoy this post on Chamomile Tea
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Happy Gardening
Karen
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using herbs—especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking prescription medications. Some herbs may interact with medications or be contraindicated for certain health conditions.