New Jersey Tea

(Ceanothus americanus)

New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Ceanothus americanus, commonly known as New Jersey Tea, is a deciduous shrub native to prairies, savannas, and open woodlands of the eastern United States. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and a width of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters). This plant is well-adapted to dry, sandy soils and thrives in full sun to part shade conditions. The small, fragrant flowers are clustered in showy, rounded inflorescences and bloom in late spring to early summer, attracting a variety of pollinators.

New Jersey Tea is valued for its compact size, making it suitable for small gardens, borders, and naturalized areas. It is drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal maintenance and offering a sustainable choice for xeriscaping. The deep root system makes it useful for erosion control. However, it can be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew in humid conditions. It is not known for aggressive roots or significant disease problems. This shrub is also historically significant, as its leaves were used as a tea substitute during the American Revolution.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Shrub
  • Height: 2-3 feet
  • Width: 3-5 feet
  • Growth Rate: Slow
  • Flower Color: White
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Low
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Prairies, savannas, and open woodlands of the eastern United States

Other Names

Common Names: Jersey Tea , Redroot , Indian Tea , Mountainsweet , Wild Snowball , Céanothe D’Amérique , Céanothus D’Amérique

Scientific Names: Ceanothus americanus , Ceanothus macrocarpus , Ceanothus americanus var. pitcheri , Ceanothus americanus var. intermedius , Ceanothus intermedius , Ceanothus americanus var. americanus , Ceanothus hybridus , Ceanothus milleri , Ceanothus reclinatus , Ceanothus tardiflorus

GBIF Accepted Name: Ceanothus americanus L.