New Jersey Tea Seeds

• HOW TO GROW
• FAST FACTS
• REVIEWS

Sowing: New Jersey tea seeds require scarification and stratification to break its dormancy. Pour boiling water over Ceanothus Americanus seeds and let them soak overnight; next, mix the seeds with moist sand and store them in the refrigerator for 70 days before planting. Direct sow the treated seed in the spring after the last frost, planting just below the surface of the soil. When planted in the fall, only the boiling water treatment will be needed before direct sowing the seed. Germination may be slow and irregular.

Growing: This New Jersey Tea plant prefers dry soil, and grows well in rocky or shallow soil. Though seedlings should be watered occasionally until they become established, mature New Jersey tea plants handle drought well and do not tolerate excess moisture. This plant develops rather slowly, since producing its extensive, deep roots take much of its energy in the first few seasons; transplanting is not recommended because of these deep roots. Over time, it will spread and form a colony. This New Jersey Tea plant attracts butterflies, bees, and many other insects, as well as being a food source for deer and birds. This plant makes a lovely fragrant border as well as being a good addition to native prairie plantings; in winter, the yellow twigs remain attractive.

Harvesting: New Jersey Tea makes a very attractive, fragrant cut flower. Cut the stems long and place them in water immediately, stripping off the leaves that fall below the water level. For tea, gather the leaves when the plant is in full bloom; spread them out to dry fully, out of direct sunlight.

Seed Saving: This plant spreads its seeds by exploding them out of their pods, making harvesting a challenge. Keep a close watch on the heads, since they will explode soon after they turn a dark color. When the seed heads turn nearly black, remove them and spread them out to dry. A light cover of some kind may be necessary, since the seed heads may still explode and release their seeds as they dry. Separate New Jersey tea seeds from their pods and store the cleaned seed in a cool, dry place.

Common Names: Redshank, Wild Snowball, Mountain Sweet, Redroot

Latin Name: Ceanothus americanus

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

US Regions: California, Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast

Seeds per Ounce: 6,600

Stratification: Cold/Wet for 8 Weeks

Germination Ease: Stratify 8 Weeks

Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun

Height: 36 Inches

Color: White

Bloom Season: Blooms Early Summer, Blooms Late Summer

Uses: Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Honeybees, Attracts Butterflies, Aromatic, Cut Flowers, Deer Resistant