Growing, Drying & Storing Herbal Teas at Home: My First Year in the Tea Garden
- Rachel Howarth
- Jun 1
- 4 min read
This year was my very first adventure into growing my own herbal teas — and what a grounding, fragrant joy it’s been. There’s something super magical about stepping into the garden, gathering petals and leaves, and knowing you’re growing comfort and calm with your own hands.
From chamomile to nettle, I’ve experimented with gentle blooms and powerhouse herbs, carefully drying and storing them for my apothecary shelves. If you’re new to the world of growing tea, here’s how I’ve done it this year — with tips, timings, and storage advice for preserving your herbs and flowers safely and beautifully.
How I Dry My Herbs & Flowers
I use a simple fabric drying rack, hung outdoors on the washing line in a shaded, breezy spot. This setup allows for air circulation, and keeps the herbs out of direct sunlight, which can strip them of their essential oils and colour.
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My Drying Process:
💚 Pick in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day.
💚 Shake off any bugs gently — especially with flowers like lavender and chamomile — by giving them a soft shake outside or letting them sit on the rack for a few minutes for critters to wander off.
💚 Lay flat on the drying rack for most leaves and petals (like lemon balm, nettle, and rose).
💚 Hang upside down in bunches for larger stalky herbs and flowers like lavender, yarrow, mugwort, and comfrey.
💚 Drying time is usually 5–10 days depending on the weather and the plant. You’ll know they’re ready when they feel crisp and crumble easily between your fingers.
How I Sanitise & Store My Herbs
Once dry, I gently transfer the herbs into sterilised glass jars. Here’s my go-to method for preparing jars safely:
To Sterilise Glass Jars in the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 140°C (284°F).
Wash jars and lids in hot soapy water, then rinse thoroughly.
Place jars (not lids) upside down directly on the oven shelf for 15–20 minutes.
Let cool naturally in the oven before filling with dried herbs.
Lids can be sterilised by pouring boiling water over them and allowing them to sit for 10 minutes before air drying.
Storage Tips:
💜 Store jars out of direct sunlight, in a cool, dry cupboard.
💜 Label each jar with the name and date so you can keep track of freshness.
💜 Most dried herbs will retain their benefits for up to 12 months when stored properly.
What I Dried This Year 🌸
Here’s a little list of what I’ve lovingly grown and preserved in my first herbal tea year:
🌹 Rose (petals)
🌿 Thyme & Lemon Thyme
🌼 Yarrow
🍋 Lemon Balm
🌱 Peppermint
✨ Chamomile
🌿 Comfrey
🌸 Elderflower
🌼 Dandelion
🍃 Nettle
🌘 Mugwort
💜 Lavender
☀️ Marigold (Calendula)
🌺 Rosehip
💖 Echinacea
🌾 Mullein
Each one has made its way onto my apothecary shelves, ready to be brewed into calming cups, used in rituals, or added to blends for healing and beauty.
What I’m Growing Next Year 🌱
This journey has only just begun. Next year, I’m inspired to add Tulsi (Holy Basil) to the garden — a sacred herb known for its stress-soothing and immune-boosting properties.
I’m also hoping to grow Camellia sinensis, the plant from which black, green, white, and oolong teas are all made. (It’s the very same one used in traditional tea blends.)
While I’ve already dried and used petals from Camellia japonica, which can be used for skincare and beauty recipes (like gentle infusions or floral baths), Camellia sinensis would be a dream to grow for homegrown true tea leaves.
A Soothing Herbal Tea Blend for Anxiety:
One of the loveliest things about having your own herbal collection is being able to create blends that truly support your needs. This is a calming tea I make for quiet evenings or anxious days:
Anxiety-Soothing Tea Blend
✨ 1 tsp Lemon Balm – uplifts mood and eases stress
✨ 1 tsp Tulsi – balances the nervous system and calms the heart
✨ ½ tsp Lavender buds – promotes calm and deep rest
✨ 1 tsp Chamomile – soothes the nervous system and quiets the mind
Steep for 7–10 minutes in just-boiled water, covered, to retain the oils. Breathe in deeply as it steeps. Sip slowly. Let it hold you.
As with any herbal remedy, please use little and often, consult your GP if you have any health concerns and do your research if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Your Turn – Let’s Grow Together
This has been a year of learning, experimenting, and falling in love with the slow beauty of herbalism. If you’re on your own tea-growing journey — or thinking of starting — I’d love to hear from you.
Come and connect with me on social media
and share your tips, your blends, or your questions. There’s always something new to learn — and I hope this post has helped you feel inspired to grow, dry, store, and sip your own garden magic.
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