How to Grow Tea Herbs Together

Tea herbs grow well together and can be harvested easily, while many also attract pollinators, support healthy living and taste great either fresh or dried!

Make sure the site you select offers good drainage; perennial plants like chamomile, mint and lemon balm tend to grow quickly in gardens, needing regular pruning. Be wary of mint’s tendency to spread; plant it separately either in a pot or garden bed!

Chamomile

Chamomile flowers make for an enjoyable teatime ritual that can ease aches and pains while also soothing insomnia and anxiety.

These delicate plants thrive in warmer climates and spread freely by self-seeding, making cultivation simple with just minimal care required such as weeding and watering.

Start seeds indoors about two months prior to the expected last average frost date using seed-starting trays or peat pellets, pre-treated potting soil for gnats, lightly misted surfaces before planting seeds, as plants tolerate light frost well when grown in cool, sunny spots ideally with well-draining soils.

Lemon Balm

If the climate in which you reside makes outdoor planting too cold for optimal success, consider growing herbs indoors in pots or flats using potted soil and grow lights for proper illumination of their development. For optimal success use a grow light if necessary to provide ample lighting to facilitate growth.

Lemon balm is another fast-growing perennial herb, ideal for planting in both garden beds and larger containers. Due to its vigorous spreading nature, however, it should be contained either within its own container or near the edge of the bed.

Harvest herbs on a regular basis to foster abundant new growth. You can also dry some for year-round enjoyment; simply tie small bundles and hang them in an area out of direct sunlight.

Mint

While most herbs can co-exist in one garden, others such as mint can quickly take over an area and needs its own container or bed for proper growth. Peppermint, lemon balm and lavender all thrive well together.

Harvesting herbs at the right time is essential for extracting maximum amounts of oil that gives them flavor and scent. They should be cut just after dew has dried from their leaves early morning or during flowering to capture maximum flavour or scent potential.

Tea plants grown indoors allow you to manage their growth more precisely while providing ideal conditions for successful germination and healthy seedling development. If natural sunlight is limited, consider purchasing an LED plant grow light as this will mimic outdoor sunlight for maximum effectiveness.

Pineapple Sage

Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) is an attractive perennial that adds both color and fruity fragrance to herb beds and pollinator gardens. Blooming from late summer through fall in warmer regions, its blooms draw hummingbirds.

Sweet-scented foliage and flowers of pineapple plants are edible, providing delicious pineapple flavor in teas, cocktails, and garnishes. Cultivars such as Honey Melon and Scarlet Pineapple produce more flowers while having shorter growing habits than their counterparts.

Plants usually thrive when kept warm and watered regularly. A light layer of mold is normal; if its growth becomes excessive, lift the humidity dome more often to allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Lavender

Like chamomile, lavender requires to be airy and delicate so its seedlings should be handled carefully during transplanting. Arrange unglazed terra cotta pots or fabric grow bags with adequate drainage as well as an open mixture of peat pellets or soil for optimal conditions for growing lavender plants.

As is typical for Mediterranean perennial herbs, lavender thrives best when grown in loose-draining soil – heavy mulches may impede water movement and should therefore be avoided to ensure optimal growth. It thrives both in garden beds and containers alike.

Mulching plants after the first frost will help them remain protected from winter damage. If you live in a humid area, wood chips may help increase airflow around their roots to improve ventilation and lessen powdery mildew and other fungal diseases that could occur as a result.

Bee Balm

Anise, coriander, dill and fennel grow best when direct-sowning in spring directly. If using a plastic winter sowing container to sow them directly in early winter, carefully separate close-spaced seeds before sowing. Plant in fine soil beds in order to avoid overcrowding of seeds. Deer-proof but may suffer from aphids or other pests.

Many herbs grow asexually from cuttings, including tarragon, chives and mint. Other perennial herbs that thrive from cuttings include thyme, lemon balm and winter savory. Sage, tarragon and other species with flexible branches such as winter savory can be easily propagated via layering techniques. Herbs need moderate moisture levels but appreciate air circulation when grown indoors.