Introduction
Tea (Camellia sinensis) is an evergreen shrub in the Theaceae family that is grown for its young leaves to make a water-infused beverage. Tea is the most popular caffeine-containing non-alcoholic beverage in the world and is second only to water in terms of consumption. The United States is the third largest importer of tea in the world after Russia and Pakistan with 3.9 billion gallons consumed in 2021 in the United States.
In the United States, tea can be grown in the USDA Hardiness zones 7, 8, 9, and 10 where the temperature range is 70-84 °F and with high rainfall. Environmental variables including elevation, rainfall, shading, soil type, and temperature affect tea flavor and can impart unique characteristics to the final product. Awareness of the potential to grow tea and increased demand for locally produced crops create opportunities for Washington tea production. And demand for tea plants creates an opportunity for the Washington nursery industry.
Research Highlights
At Washington State University, we began our tea research project in 2019 with a focus on developing effective propagation techniques and guidelines that are suitable for our region and can be adapted throughout the United States.
Fact Sheets
- Growing Tea in the Pacific Northwest: Tea Types and Home Processing
- Growing Tea in the Pacific Northwest: Constructing Mist Chamber
- Growing Tea in the Pacific Northwest: Propagation Protocol
- Growing Tea in the Pacific Northwest: Planting and Establishment
- Growing Tea in the Pacific Northwest: Care and Maintenance
Video Tutorials
Publications
- Miles, C. and M. Shelton. 2026. Development of tea (Camellia sinensis) cultivar Minto Pacific in the United States. HortScience, 61(5): 1107-1111. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI19361-26.
- Shrestha, S., and Miles, C. 2025. Timing and shoot section influence success of tea-cutting propagation in a temperate climate. Horticulturae 11(6):645. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060645.
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