Small Leaf Tea Plant
Camellia sinensis var. sinensis
Plant Details
USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Species: Camellia sinensis (Tea Plant)
Height at Maturity: 6′ in 10 years; 10-12′ at maturity if not pruned – can me maintained at 4-5′
Width at Maturity: 4-5′ in 10 years; 6-8′ at maturity if not pruned – can be maintained at 4-5′
Spacing: 4′ for solid hedges; 10’+ for space between plants
Spacing: 4′ for solid hedges; 10’+ for space between plants
Growth Rate: Slow, makes them perfect for pots or garden beds
Flower Color: White with Bright Yellow stamens
Flower Size: 2″
Flowering Period: Fall into Winter
Flower Type: Single
Fragrant Flowers: Yes!
Foliage Color: Medium to Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Full Sun, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or Filtered Sun, All Day Filtered Sun
Water Needs: Average, Lower when established
Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist
Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Resistances: Deer (in our gardens), Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity
Intolerances: Direct Afternoon Sun, Constantly Soggy Soil
Attracts: Visual Attention
Description
This is the Small Leaf Tea Plant, scientifically known as Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, a Chinese species that has smaller leaves and is more cold tolerant (USDA Zone 6). It’s a slow growing evergreen flowering shrub grown around the world for the use of its leaves in making mild-flavored white, green, oolong and black teas, but also serves as an attractive and hardy ornamental in the landscape and home foundation plantings. It is slow-growing and easily maintained at 4 to 5 feet in height and width, which also makes it a fine candidate for growing in pots that can be situated on patios, decks, porches and other outdoor living spaces where the fragrant white fall flowers can be enjoyed and the leaves easily picked. If allowed to grow naturally it might reach 10 to 12 feet tall and wide at maturity. Unlike most other Camellia species, this one is both heat and drought tolerant and can perform well in full sun or part shade. If you’re a tea lover and enjoy brewing your own, the Small Leaf Tea is sure to please.
SEE: How To Make Green, Oolong and Black Tea From Tea Camellia Plants
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing to approximately 6 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide depending on pruning, the Small Leaf Tea Plant can be grown as a large shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small tree. As a shrub, it is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or as low to mid-size hedge or background plant. Can also be useful as a corner plant or espalier (trained to grow flat against a wall) in home foundation plantings. As a small tree, it makes a fine focal point specimen in landscape borders or home foundation plantings. It’s slow growth rate and good response to pruning make it a fine candidate for growing in pots, planters and other containers that can be situated on decks, patios, porches and around other outdoor living spaces. A fine addition to food gardens, Camellia gardens, white theme gardens, fragrance gardens and cottage gardens.
SEE: How To Make Green, Oolong and Black Tea From Tea Camellia Plants
Suggested Spacing: 4 feet apart for solid hedge; 10 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
The Small Leaf Tea Plant adapts well to various soil types however prefers a moist but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Constantly soggy soil is a slow killer. In general, most camellias grow and bloom better in partial shade with some shelter from the hot afternoon sun. That said, this species is known to tolerate more sun, even full sun. For optimal tea production, it is best to prune to 4-5′ just before spring growth to encourage shoots. If you plan on using the leaves for tea, we suggest feeding he plant with an organic plant food.
SEE: How To Make Green, Oolong and Black Tea From Tea Camellia Plants
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Camellias.
How To Make Green, Oolong and Black Tea From Tea Camellia Plants
Planting Camellias
Pruning Camellias
How To Fertilize & Water Camellias
How To Espalier Plants & Trees
*Espalier (pronounced: ih-spal-yay) …an ornamental shrub or tree that has been trained to grow flat against a wall, fence, or other vertical, flat surface.
Plant Long & Prosper!
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