Description
Tea is a shrub grown to produce a beverage made from its leaves. It is appreciated for its stimulant properties and health benefits.
Camellia sinensis is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce tea. It is of the genus Camellia of flowering plants in the family Theaceae.
Plant Specifications
| Common Name | tea plant, chinese plant,chai, |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 10.00 to 15.00 feet |
| Flower Colour | White |
| Bloom Time | October to December |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Camellia sinensis has been considered an invasive pest species in a nature reserve in Tanzania. There are also reports of it spreading into Madagascan forests where it may have detrimental effects on the regeneration of native forests which are important lemur habitats.
Camellia sinensis care
Camellia sinensis can be grown in most moderate zones in the United States. Zones 7, 8 & 9 provide the most suitable outdoor climates althought it can be grown in greenhouses and/or protected areas in colder climate zones or used in containers where you could protect it from severe freezes.
| Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 10 C |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Camellia sinensis special feature
It may be grown as a specimen or in small groups, or it may be trimmed as a hedge. In St. Louis, experimental plantings must be sited in well-protected locations around houses, foundations and patios or in containers that can be overwintered in greenhouses.
Camellia sinensis uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- used as a gargle or injection, for some digestive problems and to reduce sweating in fevers
- In Tamil Nadu, tea leaves have been used homeopathically for mania, paralysis, nervousness, neuralgia and sleeplessness
Culinary Use:
- its used as a tea plant
- used in tea
- yellow or green tea etc