How to Grow New Jersey Tea Plant - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

New jersey tea is a plant that is native to North America. This plant has many different benefits, which include being a good source of nectar for bees and other pollinators, helping to improve soil health, and providing shelter for wildlife. The new jersey tea plant is a shrub that typically grows to be about 3-4 feet tall. This plant has small, white flowers that bloom in the summer months. The new jersey tea plant is a member of the rose family and is related to other plants such as, blackberry, raspberries, and cherries.

How to Grow New Jersey Tea Plant - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Ceanothus americanus
  • New Jersey tea plant
  • Wild snowball
  • Red root
  • Mountain balm

Basic info

  • The scientific name for New Jersey tea is Ceanothus americanus.
  • It is a native North American shrub.
  • The leaves and twigs of the plant are used to make tea.
  • It has a somewhat sweet taste.
  • New Jersey tea is high in antioxidants.
  • It has been used traditionally for various health purposes.
  • It is sometimes used as an herbal remedy for colds and flu.
  • Some people use it as a diuretic.
  • It can be found growing in dry, sandy soils.
  • The plant can reach a height of 3-4 feet.

Related plant:
Hydrangea Paniculata Diamant Rouge

Growing Steps

  1. For new jersey tea , first step is to find a location that has well-drained soil and full sun.
  2. Prepare the planting area by tilling the soil to a depth of 12 inches.
  3. Mix in a 2-inch layer of compost to the topsoil.
  4. Plant the new jersey tea seeds 1/4 inch deep in rows that are spaced 18 inches apart.
  5. Water the seeds gently with a spray bottle filled with water.
  6. Keep the soil moist but not wet by watering as needed.
  7. When the seedlings are 6 inches tall, thin them out so that the strongest plant is left in each row.
  8. Fertilize the plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
  9. In the fall, cut the plants back to 6 inches tall.
  10. Mulch around the plants with a 2-inch layer of straw or compost to protect them over the winter.

Related plant:
Forsythia Tree

The Soil

About soil , New Jersey tea prefers dry to medium moisture levels and does not tolerate standing water or overly wet conditions. It also prefers well-drained soils with a high content of organic matter. This plant will grow in both sandy and loamy soils but does not do well in clay soils. The ideal soil pH for New Jersey tea is between 6.0 and 7.5.

About light

Just like other sun-loving plants, New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) needs full sun to partial shade to thrive. It's a lower maintenance plant, however, and can handle some drought and poor soil conditions. Once established, it becomes relatively drought tolerant. If your New Jersey tea is not getting enough sun, it may become leggy and have fewer blooms.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature conditions are perfect for a cup of New Jersey tea. The water should be hot, but not boiling. You can use a teapot or a tea kettle to heat the water. Steep the tea for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like it. New Jersey tea is a great way to relax and unwind.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is slightly acidic and well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. The plant prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in moist to wet conditions, but it is also drought tolerant. This shrub can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide, and it produces white to pink flowers in the summer.

Fertilizing

For the fertilizer, usually the plant does best with a organic fertilizer that is lower in nitrogen. This can be in the form of compost, manure, or a commercial organic fertilizer. When applying the fertilizer, be sure to avoid getting it on the leaves of the plant to prevent burning. It is best to apply the fertilizer around the root zone of the plant.

About light

Pruning is an important part of keeping your New Jersey tea plant healthy and looking its best. Prune in early spring, before new growth begins. Remove any dead or diseased branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Also remove any weak or spindly growth. Cut back any remaining branches by one-third to one-half their length.

About Propagating

Propagation is by seed or root cuttings, taken in late fall or early winter. Seeds germinate slowly and evenly. Transplant seedlings to their permanent locations after the last frost. Root cuttings are best taken from plants that are at least 2 years old.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the site conditions and the species. The growth rate of new jersey tea is usually quite fast, with many species capable of growing up to 2 feet per year. However, some species may only grow 1 foot per year. The growth rate of new jersey tea is also determined by the age of the plant.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants are powdery mildew, rust, and verticillium wilt. These can impact the plant's health and growth. If you see any of these problems on your plant, it is important to address them immediately.

List to Know

  • If you're growing New Jersey tea from seed, plant the seeds in early spring in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
  • New Jersey tea plants prefer full sun but will tolerate some light shade.
  • Water regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
  • Fertilize annually in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Prune annually in late winter or early spring to shape the plant and encourage new growth.
  • New Jersey tea plants are relatively pest and disease resistant, but watch for Japanese beetles and aphids.
  • Mulch around the plant to help keep the roots cool and moist.
  • New Jersey tea is a good choice for Xeriscaping, or water-wise gardening.
  • This plant attracts butterflies and is a valuable food source for birds.
  • New Jersey tea is a native plant that is an important part of the ecosystem in many parts

Related Plants

  • Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica )
  • European green ash (Fraxinus angustifolia )
  • Transcontinental tea (Gardenia jasminoides )
  • European wild pear (Pyrus pyraster )
  • Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides )
  • American brass buttons (Cotula coronopifolia )
  • American sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina )
  • American mountain-ash (Sorbus Americana )
  • American elm (Ulmus Americana )
  • American teaweed (Gardenia florida )

Source:
New Jersey Tea | Horticulture, Landscape, and Environmental …
Sea Level Rise in New Jersey: Projections and Impacts
New Jersey Historical Maps - Rutgers University

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Herbs Category