Theaceae
Tea Plant: Aromatic Plant
Camellia sinensis
Give it bright, sheltered light out of harsh midday sun, moist but sharply drained acidic soil, and steady humidity. It is a slow but rewarding plant: keep it evenly watered, feed through the growing season, and prune lightly to shape it and to encourage tender new leaves for tea.
Every 5 days
Partial shade
-10° - 29°C
50% - 80%
Categories
What is Tea Plant?
Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis) is a medium-care plant from the Theaceae family. Camellia sinensis is the evergreen shrub whose young leaves and buds are processed into green, black, white and oolong tea. It has glossy, leathery, dark green leaves with finely toothed edges and produces fragrant, nodding white flowers with golden stamens in autumn and winter. Slow-growing and lon...
Tea Plant grows up to 3.0m, spread of 180cm, watering every 5 days, -10°C – 29°C, 50–80% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 10 days.
How to Care for Tea Plant?
TLDR: Tea Plant needs Partial shade, watering every 5 days, and temperatures between -10-29°C with 50-80% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Tea Plant?
Keep the soil evenly moist, like a wrung-out sponge, letting the top couple of centimetres dry before watering again. Use rainwater or soft water where possible, as it dislikes lime.
How Much Light Does Tea Plant Need?
Bright, indirect light, or morning sun with afternoon shade, suits it best; hot midday sun scorches the leaves and deep shade makes it leggy and shy to flower.
What Is the Best Soil for Tea Plant?
Grow in acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5), humus-rich, free-draining soil or ericaceous compost. Poor drainage quickly leads to root rot.
What Pot Should You Use for Tea Plant?
Use a container 20 to 30 percent larger than the rootball, with ample drainage and an ericaceous, free-draining mix; repot every two to three years in early spring.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
Misting
Every 5 days
Rotate
Every 30 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Tea Plant and Where Does It Come From?
Camellia sinensis is the evergreen shrub whose young leaves and buds are processed into green, black, white and oolong tea. It has glossy, leathery, dark green leaves with finely toothed edges and produces fragrant, nodding white flowers with golden stamens in autumn and winter. Slow-growing and long-lived, it is usually kept as a compact bush in gardens and containers.
How Big Does Tea Plant Grow?
TLDR: Tea Plant can reach up to 3.0m tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
3.0m
Spread
1.8m
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Edible
Can be consumed
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Aromatic
Pleasant fragrance
Medicinal Uses
- Leaves rich in antioxidant polyphenols
- Traditionally valued as a mild stimulant and digestive
Culinary Uses
- Young leaves and buds processed into green, black, white and oolong tea
- Powdered green leaves used as matcha
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Tea Plant?
TLDR: Tea Plant is susceptible to 7 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum that affects many plants, including vegetables, fruits, and trees. The disease thrives in cool, wet conditions, causing dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot is a common fungal disease caused by various pathogens including Alternaria, Ascochyta, Colletotrichum, Septoria, and Venturia. It primarily affects leaves, causing discolored spots that can lead to premature leaf drop if left untreated.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Canker
Canker is a disease caused by various fungi and bacteria that create necrotic, sunken areas on bark of branches, stems, and trunks. Pathogens enter through wounds and natural openings, especially when plants are stressed. Canker can gradually weaken or kill branches by disrupting water and nutrient flow.
Meaning & Symbolism
A symbol of purity, longevity and refined hospitality in East Asian cultures.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Fieldcap | Medium | Low light | 2d | ⚠️ |
| Azalea | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ⚠️ |
| Muriel's Bamboo | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ✓ |
| Bougainvillea | Medium | Direct sun | 7d | ⚠️ |
