DescriptionContentsSpecsInfo Camellia sinensis – grow your own tea plant from seedGreen tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong: surprisingly, they all begin with the same plant. With Camellia sinensis seeds, you can grow the famous tea plant yourself and discover firsthand where one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world actually comes from.Camellia sinensis grows into an evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves and small white flowers. The young leaves and leaf buds are used to make tea. The difference between green, black, white, and oolong tea mainly results from how the leaves are processed after harvesting.Why choose Camellia sinensis seeds? 🌿 Grow the plant used to make real tea yourself 🌿 Suitable for green, black, white, and oolong tea 🌿 Evergreen shrub with glossy dark green foliage 🌿 Beautiful white flowers when the plant matures 🌿 A special growing project for plant and tea enthusiastsGrowing from seed requires some patience and attention, but in return you get a plant with a remarkable story. From a tiny seed to your first homegrown tea leaves. Your kettle will still do the fast work for now, but you can grow the tea plant entirely from the very beginning.Fresh Camellia sinensis seeds (tea plant)Also known as: Tea plant, Chinese tea plant1 free growing instructionSkill level: intermediateBotanical name: Camellia sinensisAlso known as: Tea plant, Chinese tea plantOrigin: East and Southeast AsiaDifficulty: IntermediateGermination time: approx. 4 – 12 weeksGermination temperature: approx. 20 – 25 °CRarity: SpecialPre-treatment: Soak seeds in lukewarm water for approx. 24 – 48 hoursSowing depth: approx. 1 – 2 cmSubstrate: Airy, slightly acidic, moisture-retentive, and well-drainingMoisture during germination: Keep evenly moist, but not wetLocation during germination: Warm and bright, without strong direct sunlightLocation after germination: Bright to partial shadeWinter hardiness: Limited winter hardiness (-12); protect young plants from severe frostSuitable as: Container plant, potted plant, or sheltered garden plantGrowth habit: Evergreen, bushy shrubSpecial feature: The young leaves can be used to make real teaCamellia sinensis is the true tea plant. Green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong all come from this species. It is not the plant itself, but mainly the harvesting time and processing of the leaves that ultimately determine which type of tea is produced.Before sowing, you can soak the seeds in lukewarm water for approximately 24 to 48 hours. Then sow them approximately 1 to 2 cm deep in an airy, slightly acidic, well-draining substrate. Keep the mixture evenly moist and provide a temperature of approximately 20 to 25 °C.Camellia sinensis may take its time to germinate. Therefore, do not expect every seed to emerge from the soil at the same time. Keep the substrate moist and warm, and give the seeds enough time to choose their own moment.After germination, young tea plants prefer plenty of light without being exposed directly to strong midday sun. As the plant grows larger and stronger, it develops more and more of its characteristic glossy leaves. Camellia sinensis prefers slightly acidic soil and does better with evenly moist soil than with prolonged dryness.A mature tea plant can produce small white flowers with prominent yellow stamens. But the best-known part is, of course, the leaf. Young shoots and leaves in particular are harvested to make tea. How you then dry, roll, and oxidize them largely determines what eventually ends up in your teacup.From seed to shrub and perhaps eventually to your first cup of homegrown tea. That is tea with a story that begins long before the water boils. 🍵🌿 Delivery time*: approx. 2 - 3 business days Shipping terms*