How to Grow Labrador tea
Wikimedia Commons
Labrador tea
Rhododendron groenlandicum
shrubLabrador tea is a low-growing evergreen shrub native to northern regions, prized for its fragrant, leathery leaves and delicate white or pink clustered flowers. It has been traditionally used by indigenous peoples and early settlers for brewing a medicinal tea with a distinctive aromatic flavor. The plant thrives in cool, acidic soils and is well-suited to boggy, moist woodland gardens.
When should you plant Labrador tea in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Labrador tea timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Labrador tea
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Labrador tea
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Labrador tea dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-6, particularly in northern climates and cool regions
Sign up free to see if Labrador tea grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Labrador tea timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
6-12 monthsYoung shrub with small, narrow, leathery leaves emerging from woody stems. Plant is establishing root system in moist, acidic soil.
Keep soil consistently moist. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base. Protect from wind and full sun if in warmer zones. Avoid transplanting shock by keeping watering consistent.
Vegetative Growth
1-2 yearsShrub develops dense foliage with distinctive rolled-edge, oblong leaves (3-5 cm long) that are dark green above with rusty-brown fuzzy undersides. New stems elongate.
Maintain consistent moisture. Minimal pruning needed; remove dead or damaged branches. No fertilizer needed—plant prefers poor, acidic soil. Mulch annually.
Flowering
3-4 weeksTerminal clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers appear at branch tips, typically white or pale pink with waxy texture. Blooms are fragrant and attractive to pollinators.
Maintain moisture during flowering. Do not fertilize or deadhead—allow flowers to set seed if desired. Flowers typically appear in late spring (May-June in northern regions).
Seed Development & Maturation
2-3 monthsFlowers fade and small seed capsules develop. Foliage remains dense and evergreen through fall and winter.
Allow seeds to mature fully on plant for 6-8 weeks if seed collection is desired. Maintain consistent watering. Begin harvesting leaves once plant is mature (year 2-3).
Dormancy & Leaf Harvest
Ongoing through mature plant lifePlant enters slow growth during winter but remains evergreen. Mature foliage is ready for harvesting year-round, though spring and early summer leaves are most aromatic.
Harvest leaves by pinching off tips (top 2-3 inches of stems). Can be harvested for fresh tea or dried. Do not over-harvest; take no more than 1/3 of foliage at a time.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray leaves with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. Maintain humidity.
-
Monitor undersides of leaves; use yellow sticky traps or insecticidal soap. Improve air circulation.
-
Hand-pick or scrape off; apply dormant oil spray in early spring before growth begins.
-
Ensure excellent drainage and do not overwater. Use well-draining acidic soil mix. Remove affected plants if roots are severely damaged.
Uses
Herbal Tea & Beverages
CulinaryLabrador tea is traditionally brewed as a hot tea from fresh or dried leaves, offering a distinctive aromatic, slightly resinous flavor with lemony and pine notes. It can be blended with other herbs for complex infusions and is caffeine-free. [source]
Traditional Respiratory & Digestive Support
MedicinalIndigenous peoples and early northern settlers traditionally used Labrador tea leaf infusions to support respiratory health and digestion. Modern herbalists continue to value it for its aromatic properties and traditional use. [source]
Anti-inflammatory Compounds
MedicinalThe leaves contain flavonoids and volatile oils including ledol, which have been studied for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties in traditional use. [source]
Natural Fragrance & Insect Repellent
HouseholdThe strongly aromatic leaves emit a distinctive fragrance when brushed and have been traditionally used in sachets and dried arrangements. The scent may help repel certain insects. [source]
Pollinator & Wildlife Habitat
WildlifeThe delicate flowers provide nectar for bees and other pollinators, while the evergreen foliage offers year-round shelter and browse for northern wildlife including deer and ptarmigan. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest leaves year-round once plant is 2-3 years old, pinching off the top 2-3 inches of stems. Spring and early summer harvests yield the most aromatic foliage. Dry leaves on screens or hang in bundles in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks. Store dried leaves in airtight containers. Never strip more than 1/3 of foliage to maintain plant health.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Labrador tea was a crucial survival plant for early explorers and settlers in northern North America, who used it as a substitute for imported tea during times when trade was disrupted.
- 🌱 The scientific name 'groenlandicum' refers to Greenland, where the plant is found in abundance; it is also called 'bog tea' or 'muskeg tea' in different regions.
- 🌱 The distinctive rusty-brown or orange fuzzy undersides of the leaves (called 'tomentum') are thought to reduce water loss and protect against intense UV radiation in open, northern habitats.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Labrador tea planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Labrador tea seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Labrador tea timeline →