Herbal Tea Garden

John's Herb Garden Photo by John Cappadona

By Debbie Roland, Permian Basin Master Gardener

Are you a coffee or tea person?  Let’s talk about growing herbs for tea, and maybe that will become your new thing.  Many gardeners find that if you grow your own herbs, they are more flavorful than store-bought.  It is also a great way to enjoy fresh blends while connecting with nature and getting in your daily exercise!

Whether you have a spacious yard or just a patio, growing herbs for tea is easy and satisfying, and you can harvest the leaves and flowers most of the year in our growing area.

The first step is choosing the right location.  Most herbs do well in full sun, which in West Texas is six hours of sunlight.  You will need well-drained soil since most herbs do not like to get their feet wet.  If you are limited on space, containers work great when placed on a sunny porch or balcony.  Even a windowsill in your kitchen can produce enough for your cooking needs.

The second step is deciding which plants you should grow.   Below are some flavorful “tea” plants that do well in West Texas.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is a two-foot perennial that bears small yellow flowers and has a light, apple scent.  This tea is said to offer calming qualities.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) produces seeds that give a warm, citrus flavor to tea.  The leaves alone are called cilantro, which you are probably familiar with since it is a favorite in West Texas salsas.  It is a fast-growing plant that prefers cool weather, so planting in the fall can ensure success.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a floppy plant of the mint family that can grow two feet tall.  The leaves make a soothing tea, especially when added to other herbs.

Mint (Mentha) adds delicious flavor to most teas, but can be very invasive in West Texas, so it is advisable to plant it in pots.  Unlike other herbs, planting in partial shade works well.

Herbs you may also want to try are Thyme and Rosemary.

Herbs require minimal maintenance.  Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and keeps the plants from getting leggy.  Pick your leaves in the morning, but before it gets hot, for the best robust flavor.

Most herbs can be used fresh for tea or can be dried first.  To dry, simply spread them on trays in a warm place and turn them twice a day.  When they are dry (usually after 4 days), strip off the leaves or flowerheads and store in airtight containers.

In England, a tea with just one ingredient is called a “simple” tea.  You may want to start with just one ingredient and later add different ones depending on your taste preferences.   Adding dried fruit or citrus peel to your tea blend may appeal to you as well. 

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or in Midland at 686-4700.   Additional information and our blog for access to past articles are available at westtexasgardening.org.  Click on “Resources.”