Falling Down the Tea Cultivation Rabbit Hole

With temperatures rising in my area, my green thumb is itching to fill my home with as many plants as possible. Given my love of tea, I quickly fell down the Camellia sinensis cultivation rabbit hole.

My Tea Plants: A Head Start

I started by purchasing two small tea plants: ‘Chiri Mountain’ and ‘Bohea.’ Both should be great varieties, each with its own unique characteristics:

• ‘Chiri Mountain’ – A cold-hardy tea cultivar collected from the wild in Korea.
• ‘Bohea’ – Historically known as one of the original black and oolong tea varieties exported from China.

Having these live plants gives me a head start while I wait for my seeds to germinate.

Growing from Seed: Six Varieties to Experiment With

Speaking of seeds, I also acquired 30 seeds of six different tea varieties (EV01, BC01, BC03, BC04, BC11, and Keemum) from the Great Mississippi Tea Company.

Germinating tea seeds can be tricky since they require patience (of which I am severely lacking), warmth, and consistent moisture. I’ve set up a controlled environment to give them the best chance at success:

• Seed Tray & Medium: The seeds are in a peat and perlite mix for good moisture retention without waterlogging.
• Lighting: I repurposed my Aerogarden grow light to provide consistent illumination.
• Humidity: Using humidity trays to keep conditions stable.
• Heat? No Special Heating Mat – I’m monitoring germination at room temperature and will adjust if necessary.

I’ll be tracking germination rates to see which varieties do best in my setup!

Creating the Right Environment

One of the biggest challenges of growing tea indoors is replicating the ideal environment. Camellia sinensis thrives in warm, humid conditions with bright, indirect light.

Tea Plants Setup

• Location: Placed in a southern exposure with a few hours of direct sunlight. I’ll adjust their position if I notice any signs of leaf burn.
• Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic soil (ideal for tea).
• Watering: Keeping the soil moist but never soggy—a delicate balance!

Seed Germination Setup

• Humidity: Checking daily to maintain moisture levels.
• Airflow: No excessive covering to prevent mold growth.
• Monitoring Growth: Regularly observing and noting germination progress.

To combat dry indoor air, I’m also using a humidifier to keep humidity levels stable. I purchased a hydrometer to measure humidity.

The Long-Term Goal: Harvesting My Own Tea

I’m excited to document this journey—watching the plants grow, learning from any mistakes, and eventually harvesting and processing my own tea leaves.

It’ll take time (tea plants typically take a few years to mature), but I find joy in the process itself. Stay tuned for updates! 🌱🍵