Tea plants prefer bright light with partial shade, but they can be acclimated to full sun. They will need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Tea is hardy to zones 7-9. They will become dormant in cooler temperatures and will perish with frost. Plants can be taken indoors and placed in a bright spot during winter and reintroduced to outdoors in spring when the threat of frost has lifted.

Plants should receive consistent moisture, especially during active growth. Avoid overwatering, but do not let the plants completely dry.

Use a balanced fertilizer (i.e. 20-20-20) during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce and stop fertilizing in the fall and winter.

Plants should be potted in acidic soil, below pH 6.0 and should have good drainage. Adding compost can improve soil acidity and provide a nature fertilizer source. In zones 7-9, plants can be planted outside, but should be potted in cooler climates. Provide at least 2-3 ft. of space between plants.

Prune plants to maintain a desired shape. If harvesting for tea production, prune regularly to promote bushy growth. Young, soft leaves should be taken for tea production, usually the first 3-4 leaves at the end of the stems that are still immature. If harvesting for white tea preparation, only take the youngest sprouted leaves, ideally taking buds or leaf sprouts.

Different tea variations that we drink (i.e. black tea, white tea, oolong, green tea, etc.) are created by how the leaves are harvested or how they are prepared after they are harvested. YouTube has a great selection of methods to prepare each variation so you can try it at home!