Tea Camellia Camellia sinensis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ka-MEE-lee-ah sih-NEN-sis
- Description
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The Tea Camellia is a hardy evergreen shrub or small tree that is probably the most widely grown Camellia in the world traditionally used for caffeinated teas. They are harvested as the leaves emerge beginning early spring and processed in different ways to create white, green, oolong, and black teas. Smaller young leaves and leaf buds are used for making green tea, the older larger leaves for oolong and black tea, and the buds for white tea. There are two major varieties. Camellia sinensis var. sinensis is the Chinese variety that has small leaves and is more tolerant of cold weather hardy into USDA Zone 6. C. sinensis var. assamica is from the Assam region of northern India with larger leaves hardy to zone 7 and south. The differences in taste, color, and aroma between these teas are achieved by varying the variety, climate, harvest, oxidation, and processing.
This plant is slow-growing and easily maintained. Unlike many other Camellia species, it is heat and drought tolerant and can perform well in full sun. The attractive dense dark-green leaves and blooms make it a good plant for screening, foundation planting, hedge, or an attractive patio or container plant. For optimal tea production, it is best to prune to 4-5' just before spring growth to encourage shoots. The flowers attract bees and it is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
Insects and Diseases: Camellias are susceptible to viruses and some fungal diseases such as dieback, cankers, flower blight, and root rot. Watch for scales, aphids, planthoppers, and spider mites. They are especially problematic on stressed plants.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Rosea
Medium soft pink flowers; semi-double form; slow growing - var. assamica
Shrub to large tree; native to India Assam region; larger leaves - var. sinensis
Chinese variety; smaller leaves; more cold hardy than other varieties of this species
- Rosea
- Rosea, var. assamica, var. sinensis
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Rosea
Medium soft pink flowers; semi-double form; slow growing - var. assamica
Shrub to large tree; native to India Assam region; larger leaves - var. sinensis
Chinese variety; smaller leaves; more cold hardy than other varieties of this species
- Rosea
- Rosea, var. assamica, var. sinensis
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Camellia
- Species:
- sinensis
- Family:
- Theaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used as a medicinal product
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China South-Central & China Southeast
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Mildly deer resistant
- Edibility:
- Leaves and buds are dried and used to make tea. Fragrant flowers a source of edible oil.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 3-lobed smooth fruit begins green maturing to dark brown and cracks open to reveal 3 rounded-cuneate seeds. Seeds can take up to 12 months to develop from bud blossom to mature fruit.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-1.5 in. white fragrant flowers with 7-8 white or pink tinged petals and yellow stamens. Flowers in the fall to early winter single or in clusters. Flowering starts when plants are about 4 years old.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, lustrous, dark green serrated leaves light green below. var. assamica have larger 3-5" less serrated leaves. var. sinensis leaves are 2-3" long. Young leaves are sparsely hairy then become glabrous with age.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Edible Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat