The journal
Grow evening tea herbs on a balcony: chamomile, lemon balm and mint
How to grow chamomile, lemon balm and mint in containers on a balcony, then harvest and dry them for a caffeine free evening tea.
Quick answer: which tea herbs grow best on a balcony?
Start with three: German chamomile for its small daisy flowers, lemon balm for a soft lemon flavour, and mint for something brighter. All three are herbs extension services recommend for home tea gardens (Clemson HGIC: planting an herbal tea garden). Give each its own container, place them where they get the most sun your balcony offers, and harvest little and often.
The three herbs, side by side
| Herb | Growth habit | Container notes | What you harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| German chamomile | Annual, about 18 inches tall | Sun or part shade; sow or plant each year | The flowers, when fully open |
| Lemon balm | Perennial, spreads readily | A large container keeps it in check; sun to part shade | Leaves, before flowering for the best flavour |
| Mint | Perennial, spreads by underground runners | Always in its own pot; full sun, tolerates light shade | Leaves and tips, often |
Mint is the one to contain: Illinois Extension recommends growing it in containers because it spreads aggressively by underground stems (Illinois Extension: mint). Lemon balm behaves similarly, and a container is the easy way to stop it taking over (Illinois Extension: lemon balm).
Pots, mix and water
- Drainage first. Every pot needs holes; herbs rot in waterlogged mix. Our guide to drainage and pot depth for herbs covers sizes.
- Potting mix, not garden soil. A good container mix stays open and drains.
- Water by feel. Check the top inch; water when it is dry. Balcony pots dry faster in wind and sun, as our container watering guide explains.
Harvesting and drying
Pick chamomile flowers when they are fully open and dry them on a tray out of direct sun. Cut lemon balm and mint in the morning, taking the top few inches of stems, which also keeps the plants bushy. Dry leaves in small bunches in a warm, airy place and store them in a closed jar. For winter, see how to overwinter herbs in pots.
From balcony to evening cup
A handful of fresh leaves or a spoon of dried flowers, steeped in hot water for five minutes, makes a simple caffeine-free cup. Whether chamomile actually helps with sleep is a separate question; TalkAboutSleep looks at the evidence on chamomile tea and sleepiness and on other herbs people use for sleep.
Frequently asked questions
Can I grow chamomile, mint and lemon balm in one pot?
It is better not to. Mint and lemon balm spread and crowd out neighbours, and chamomile is an annual with different needs.
Do tea herbs grow on a shaded balcony?
Mint and lemon balm tolerate light shade; chamomile flowers best with more sun. Expect slower growth in shade.
When do I harvest chamomile?
When the flowers are fully open. Pick often and more will follow.