Have you ever wanted to grow your own flavorful teas?

There’s a quiet kind of joy in growing what soothes you. So, if you've ever wondered, How do I turn this packet of seeds into a cup of my favorite tea?, you're in the right place. 

In this guide, we'll show you how to grow your own tea blends at home.

A wonderful place to begin is with our tea herbs seed bundle, which is a variety pack that includes peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile, and lavender. 

By growing your own tea, you’re planting more than seeds. You’re cultivating calm, fragrance, and the gentle satisfaction of tending something real.

Whether you grow a handful of herbs on a sunny windowsill or a few pots under the glow of a grow light, each leaf and blossom carries a bit of peace you’ve nurtured yourself.

And whether you’re steeping loose-leaf mint in cold water for late-summer refreshment or brewing a warm cup of comfort on a chilly afternoon, this simple growing guide will help you start tea herbs from seed and enjoy them fresh or dried in your favorite home-brewed blends.

From our garden to yours, we want you to grow beautifully and brew joyfully. So, let's infuse some knowledge and get started!

What's included in the variety pack?

Are you ready to brew peace from seed to sip?

Seed packets included in the variety pack are peppermint, lemon balm, lavender, and German Chamomile.

These classic tea herbs fill your space with fragrance and your cup with calm. With just a bit of warmth, light, and simple care, you can grow a soothing tea garden right on your windowsill.

Whether you grow one or all, each herb brings something special to your cup or blend—choosing the bundle lets you enjoy them all together while saving a little along the way.

And consider this: The bundle also makes a great gardening gift for parents, grandparents, teachers, beginners, and anyone who loves herb teas!

Getting started

Growing the most incredible herbal tea is easier than you might think—here’s how to create ideal indoor growing conditions right from the beginning.

Containers

Choose small pots (about 3½ inches wide), like peat pots, or use watertight seed trays with peat pellets. 

Soil

Fill each pot with seed-starting mix, then gently level the surface—a small piece of cardboard or wood works well for this. If the mix feels dry, moisten it lightly before sowing.

For peat pellets, simply follow the instructions on the package. If needed, here's a guide to help.

Light

Many herbs thrive in full sun, so look for a bright spot in a south- or west-facing window where they can enjoy 6–8 hours of sunlight each day.

And if natural light is limited, don’t worry—your herbs will still grow happily under a grow light. Position it 6–12 inches above the plants for 12–16 hours a day, and you’re well on your way to healthy seedlings.

Temperature

Most tea herbs germinate best at around 65 °F (18 °C). So, typical indoor temperatures work beautifully!

Sowing the seeds

To help your tea herbs sprout strong and healthy, start with these simple sowing steps.

• Prepare the surface: Firm the mix about ½ inch below the rim of the pot. Or fluff the top layer of peat on your pellets.
• Sow the seeds: Plant the seeds by following each seed packet's instructions for the best results.
• Moisten and cover: Mist the surface, or gently water-in the seeds, then cover with a humidity dome (or a clear plastic bag)—ventilate daily to prevent mold.
• Provide light after sprouting: Once seedlings emerge, remove the cover and place them in bright light.

Helpful tip: Soak lavender seeds in cool water overnight, then cold-stratify (store in the refrigerator at about 41 °F / 5 °C) for four weeks before sowing to improve germination.

Important to know: Humidity domes that come with mini greenhouses are designed to rest gently on top of seed-starting trays—rather than snap into place—so you can lift or shift the cover for ventilation without disturbing your seedlings.

Growing on

After seedlings have at least two true leaves and grown a few inches tall, transplant them to larger pots (if they started in trays)—a practice known as "potting up."

Please keep the following things in mind:

• Peat pellets and pots make potting up easy—plant the whole pellet/pot right into the new container to avoid disturbing the seedlings' roots.
• Consider filling the new pots with potting soil pre-treated for gnats.
• Keep soil moist but never soggy—water thoroughly, then let the top inch dry before watering again.
• Avoid letting pots sit in standing water; herbs love good drainage.
• Use a drip tray under each pot to prevent water damage to indoor fixtures.

Here's a tip: Clay or terracotta pots allow natural moisture exchange through their porous walls, helping roots breathe and reducing the chance of overwatering.

Light, air, and fertilizer

Let’s take a look at the simple conditions that will help your tea herbs grow their best indoors.

Herbs love sunlight—the more bright, direct light you can offer, the richer their aroma and flavor will be. If you’re using grow lights, choose full-spectrum bulbs or LED fixtures designed for plants.

Good airflow helps keep seedlings sturdy and healthy, so give each pot a little breathing room. If the air feels still, set a small fan on a gentle, indirect breeze to help encourage strong growth.

Fertilize lightly once a month during active growth with an all-purpose fertilizer, such as SUPERthrive, at a strength appropriate for houseplants.

And here’s a reassuring note: Even though many outdoor plants rest in winter, it’s perfectly fine to fertilize indoor herbs year-round—your indoor setup recreates the warm, bright conditions they need to thrive.

Troubleshoot growing fresh herbs

Even the most attentive gardeners run into minor hiccups now and then. The good news? Most issues are easy to fix with a few simple adjustments.

Leggy seedlings

Tall, thin, and weak seedlings are most likely stretching for light. Move them closer to a bright window or place them directly under a grow light to help them grow sturdy and strong.

Mold on the soil surface

A light layer of white mold is common—and usually harmless—but it’s also a sign that things are a bit too moist. Lift the humidity dome more often, let the soil dry slightly before watering, and improve airflow around your seedlings to keep the mold at a manageable level.

Slow growth

Check that your herbs are warm enough—most prefer temperatures around 65 °F (18 °C) or above. Make sure pots have good drainage, so roots stay healthy and oxygenated.

How long does it take herbal tea plants to grow?

Each herb matures at its own pace. While days to harvest are listed on every seed packet, here’s a quick guide—starting with the fastest.

So, within just two to four months, you can harvest leaves and flowers from all four plants. Keeping these timelines in mind helps you plan your tea garden and pick each herb at its peak, when flavor and aroma are at their best.

Please keep in mind that peppermint, a hybrid, can vary slightly from plant to plant—each one has its own unique leaf shape and subtle flavor notes.

Harvest and enjoy!

There’s nothing quite like clipping your own herbs and knowing a fresh, fragrant cup of tea is only moments away. Once your plants establish, you can begin harvesting small amounts and enjoying the flavors you’ve nurtured from seed.

Chamomile: Snip flower heads as they open.

Peppermint and Lemon Balm: Trim leafy stems just above a leaf node; frequent harvesting encourages lush new growth.

Lavender: Harvest flower spikes just as buds begin to open for the richest fragrance.

Use your herbs fresh or dry them for year-round enjoyment!

How to dry fresh herbs for herbal tea

To dry, tie small bundles and hang them upside down in a warm, airy spot out of direct sunlight. You can also slip a paper bag—punched with a few holes—over the bundle to catch any leaves or blossoms that fall as they dry.

This method is especially helpful for chamomile and lavender, which tend to drop petals as they finish drying.

If you prefer using a dehydrator, simply follow the manufacturer’s directions, or consider using an oven per the instructions in our guide on preserving your harvest.

Once the leaves are crisp and fully dry, store them in airtight jars—and enjoy the satisfaction of brewing homegrown herbal teas or iced tea any time you like. Most dried herbs remain flavorful for 6–12 months when stored properly.

Planning to move your tea herbs outdoors?

For gardeners in more temperate climates, or for anyone who wants to start a tea garden indoors and transplant it outdoors, all four herbs can adapt easily with just a bit of planning. Here’s how to transition each one.

Lemon Balm:

• Harden off seedlings by setting them outdoors for a few hours each day.
• Transplant once nighttime temperatures stay above 50 °F (10 °C).
• Provide space as lemon balm spreads easily during the growing season, thriving in garden beds or larger containers.

Chamomile (German Chamomile):

• Harden off as above, then transplant when the days are mild and frost is no longer a concern.
• Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
• Chamomile is airy and delicate, so handle seedlings gently during transplanting.

Peppermint:

• Consider planting peppermint in a container because it spreads vigorously outdoors.
• Transplant after the last frost and the soil has warmed up.
• Provide full sun to light shade for the strongest flavor.

Lavender:

• Take your climate into account, as lavender grows best outdoors in warm, sunny, and relatively dry conditions.
• Transplant when the soil has begun to warm in spring.
• Provide excellent drainage and avoid overwatering; lavender prefers "dry feet" and plenty of sun.

And here’s the best part—after a gentle transition and a few weeks of warm weather, each herb should settle in beautifully outdoors, adding both fragrance and ornamental charm to your landscape.

Bee balm and lemon balm: What's the difference? 

While our herbal tea bundle includes lemon balm seeds, you might wonder whether bee balm has any botanical similarities. After all, they both include "balm" in the name.

Bee balm and lemon balm both belong to the mint family, yet they bring completely different personalities to the teacup.

Bee balm (Monarda) is a North American perennial best known for its dramatic, shaggy flowers and bold, citrus-spice aroma. Its leaves and flowers are used to brew Oswego tea, known for its bright, intense, bergamot-like flavor. 

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), by contrast, is gentle and soothing. This Mediterranean herb grows in soft, bushy mounds and releases a clean lemon scent whenever the leaves are touched.

In tea, lemon balm delivers a mild lemon-mint flavor that’s calming and subtle. It has a reputation for easing stress, supporting relaxation, and adding a soft citrus brightness to blends. It's perfect on its own or paired with chamomile, lavender, or fruits.

Both herbs are easy to grow, with differences: bee balm prefers full sun and grows into a tall, pollinator-magnet, while lemon balm tolerates some shade, spreads readily, and is container-friendly.

Gentle blends to try

Calm and cozy

Are you seeking a refreshing tea with calming effects? Well, this is the ideal blend for you!

• 1 part Chamomile
• 1 part Lemon Balm
• Optional: Consider adding a few peppermint tea leaves or lemon verbena for a lemony aroma and calming, digestive benefits.

Bright morning mint

If you love a cup of refreshing tea in the morning, this mint-based blend could turn plain boiling water into one of your favorite beverages.

• 2 parts Peppermint
• 1 part Lavender
• A slice of lemon for brightness
• Quick note: You can experiment with different mints, such as spearmint or apple mint, to vary the flavor and aroma of this blend.

Lavender dream

A slightly sweet, fragrantly floral flavor awaits you with this aromatic blend of tea leaves and flower buds—the taste will be a delicious dream!

• 1 part Lavender
• 1 part Chamomile
• Optionally, add a pinch of cinnamon, a few pieces of orange peel, or a blend of warming spices for added depth and citrus notes.
• Honey to finish.

Seasonal inspiration

Looking for exciting blends to try? Here are a few flavor combinations to spark your imagination.

• Chamomile + dried apricot for a soft, sunset-sweet cup.
• Peppermint + a pinch of stevia for a naturally sweet, cooling blend.
• Chamomile + fennel for a soothing cup with a hint of licorice flavor.

All are simple, comforting, and endlessly customizable.

Creating your own unique blended teas

You can create wonderfully unique tea blends using dried herbs, green tea, loose-leaf herbal tea, spices, cinnamon, orange peel, pineapple sage, rose hips, fennel, ginger, cardamom, or any other herbs you love.

Mixing small batches lets you experiment with flavor combinations and discover blends that feel perfectly your own.

Store your creations in small glass jars and label them with meaningful or whimsical names. And here’s a little secret—even before you make tea, simply lifting the lid releases a fragrant burst of aroma that can brighten your mood in an instant.

Meet red clover: A gentle bloom for tea and pollinators.

If you’re looking for a gentle bloom to add to your tea garden, red clover is a lovely option.

Its rounded, rosy flower heads bring a subtle, honey-like sweetness to herbal blends and dry beautifully for long-lasting tea jars.

Outdoors, red clover also supports your ecosystem—its nectar-rich blooms are a favorite of butterflies and other pollinators.

According to the National Institutes of Health, red clover has a long history of traditional use. While research continues, it remains a popular herbal ingredient for many gardeners and tea makers.

Grown alongside chamomile, peppermint, and lemon balm, red clover adds both beauty to your garden and gentle herbal depth to your cup.