Evergreen East Asian shrub with leathery dark green leaves, small fragrant white flowers, and the leaves that produce all tea — green, oolong, black, and white. Spent leaves yield brown and tan textile dyes.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 7–10 | −17.8 °C to 4.4 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H4 | −10 °C to −5 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 8–9 | −7 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 3–6 | −5 °C to 15 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Brown-to-tan dyes extracted from leaves — strong, light-fast, and freely available from used tea leaves; black tea gives warmer browns, green tea gives cooler tans
- Distinct from the ornamental Camellia japonica (already in the database as `camellia`) — Camellia sinensis is the tea-producing species, with smaller leaves and an emphasis on the leaf rather than the flower
- Two main varieties — var. sinensis (small leaf, cooler climates) and var. assamica (large leaf, tropical climates)
- Prefers slightly acidic moist well-drained soil and a mild humid climate
Pet caution: Tea plant is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
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Related plants
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