We hand select for each order from our stock of premium quality plants at A Natural Farm in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. Quality in plant propagation is of upmost importance when seeking nutrition & medicinal value from edible plants!

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General Description: Camelia sinensis is the famous tea plant used for its leaves to extract its minerals and caffeine into water through brewing or water infusion. The plant can also be used in hedging since it is a hardy evergreen plant (zones 7-10). Tea plants are easily pruned and shaped - perfect for container gardens or as an indoor plant. These plants are often used as a Bonsai Plants. When allowed to mature to full size, the Camellia can reach 20' tall.

Edible Qualities/Products:
Time of harvest determines the caffeine content of the leaves.
White tea are youngest leaves picked
Green tea are leaves picked at an optimal growth
Black tea are oldest leaves picked

USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10
Plant Type: Perennial
Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
Climax Height & Spread: 8-10' typical height for harvesting, up to 20' when left to mature

Soil & Site Requirements: When kept in a container, allow soil to dry out between watering and keep in well drained soil & pot. In the landscape, well drained sandy to loam soil works well. Tea plants don't ask for too much!
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Drought Tolerance/Watering Requirements: Not too thirsty, but water enough to establish through its first season
Cold Tolerance: Cold hardy to 20 degrees F

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*Planting Instructions*
Once your plant arrives, its best practice to water it right away. Your plant may or may not experience leaf drop, show signs of stress or be in a dormant phase. Regardless, it just traveled a great journey to get to its new home, so give it some time to accumulate! If planting in the ground, check your weather forecast to ensure frost or freezing temperatures have passed for the year. Potting up into a larger pot can be done at any time.

Check the site and water requirements listed for each plant to have a good understanding of what your plant needs. Each garden is different, so don't be afraid to make a good decision based on your specific location.

To maximize yield and ensure a healthy life of your fruit tree, mulch around the drip line, topdress with compost, vermicpompost & organic matter regularly, use organic fertilizer high in nitrogen 2-3 times per year, garden with companion plants of cover crops, flowering plants and herbs! These strategies are useful in container gardening as well.

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