Florida Native Tea Duo: Yaupon Holly + Florida Native Tea Bush
Regular price $159.90 Sale price $152.92Two Native Beauties—For Tea Lovers and Pollinators Alike
Celebrate Florida’s natural flavors with the Florida Native Tea Duo, featuring two unique native plants that brew beautifully and support local wildlife:
- Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) – North America’s only native caffeine source, prized for its smooth, energizing tea with earthy, roasted notes. Drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly.
- Florida Native Tea Bush (Melochia tomentosa) – Also known as Pyramid Bush, this charming shrub produces delicate pink blooms and leaves used for mild, naturally caffeine-free tea.
Together, they create a stunning, low-maintenance native garden with year-round beauty and a harvest you can sip and share. Perfect for wildlife gardens, edible landscapes, or container growing.
Includes two mature plants (about 2–3 ft tall) in our X-Large (3 gallon) pots.
Growing Tips
Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained sandy or loamy soil. Once established, Tea Bush thrives with minimal care and tolerates long dry spells. Water young plants regularly until roots are strong. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Hardy in USDA Zones 9–11, but can be grown as an annual or container plant in cooler regions.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Melochia tomentosa |
| Common Names | Florida Native Tea Bush, Pyramid Bush, Chocolateweed, Teabush |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Origin | Florida, Caribbean, Tropical Americas |
| Plant Type | Flowering shrub, herbal perennial |
| Life Cycle | Perennial in warm climates |
| Mature Size | 3–6 ft tall x 3–4 ft wide |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water Needs | Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| Soil | Well-drained sandy or loamy soil |
| Bloom Time | Spring through fall (nearly year-round in warm zones) |
| Flower Color | Pink to lavender |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 |
| Florida Native | Yes |
| Propagation | Seeds, cuttings |
| Seasonal Traits | Semi-evergreen to evergreen in warm climates |
| Time to Harvest | 6–12 months for tea leaves; ongoing harvest after establishment |
Growing Tips
Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained sandy or loamy soil. Yaupon Holly thrives in Florida’s hot, humid conditions and tolerates drought, salt, and occasional flooding once established. It can be shaped as a hedge or grown as a multi-stemmed ornamental tree. Female plants produce bright red berries when pollinated by nearby males. Prune lightly after fruiting to shape. Hardy in USDA Zones 7–11, this tough, beautiful native is an easy long-term addition to any landscape.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ilex vomitoria |
| Common Names | Yaupon Holly, Cassina, Native Caffeinated Holly |
| Family | Aquifoliaceae |
| Origin | Southeastern United States (Florida native) |
| Plant Type | Evergreen shrub or small tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Mature Size | 10–25 ft tall x 8–15 ft wide (prunable) |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water Needs | Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| Soil | Well-drained; sandy to loamy |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | White (small, pollinator-friendly) |
| USDA Zones | 7–11 |
| Florida Native | Yes |
| Propagation | Seeds, cuttings |
| Seasonal Traits | Evergreen |
| Time to Harvest | 0-1 years for tea leaves; ongoing harvest thereafter |
Wondering about your USDA Growing Zone and what you can grow? 🌎🌿 Learn how to find your Zone and grow tropical plants anywhere—Florida to Alaska! 👉 Read the full blog here!
We ship every plant plastic-free and planet-friendly—using compostable packaging, recyclable pots, and carbon-conscious shipping from start to finish. 🌎🌱👉 Our Commitment to Packaging & Shipping Sustainability
