Herbs to Grow for Tea: Pudina, Tulsi and Lemongrass on a Balcony
The best herbs to grow for tea on a desi balcony are pudina, tulsi and lemongrass, with ajwain leaves and a saunf plant as easy extras. All three main ones grow in a 25 to 30 cm pot and make a caffeine-free cup in five minutes from a handful of fresh leaves. Here’s how to pick, brew and dry each one, what a cup can honestly do for you, and who should go easy.
Quick facts
- Top three for tea: pudina (mint), tulsi (holy basil), lemongrass (hari chai patti)
- Extras: ajwain leaves, saunf (fennel) fronds, a sprig of rosemary
- Fresh leaf brew: a small handful per cup, steeped 5 to 7 minutes
- Dried leaf brew: about 1 level teaspoon per cup
- Drying: in shade, never in direct sun
- Caffeine: none in any of these
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Which herbs to grow for tea, and which to skip
| Herb | Taste in the cup | Pot size | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pudina | Cool, sweet, fresh | 30 cm (12 in), shallow | Must grow |
| Tulsi | Peppery, clove-like | 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) | Must grow |
| Lemongrass | Lemony, grassy | 30 cm deep, 15 L or more | Must grow |
| Ajwain leaves | Thyme-like, strong | 20 to 25 cm | One leaf per pot of tea |
| Saunf plant | Mild aniseed | 25 cm deep | Nice in winter |
| Rosemary | Piney, sharp | 25 cm, gritty mix | Fussy in heat |
| Curry leaf | Savoury | 30 cm and up | Better in the tarka than the cup |
Our balcony herb garden guide covers sun and pots for each, so here we stay with the cup.
How to harvest tea herbs so the plant keeps giving
Pick in the morning, after the dew dries and before the sun gets hot. That’s when the leaves hold the most scent.
- Pudina and tulsi: snip the top 5 to 8 cm of a stem, just above a pair of leaves. Two new shoots grow from there.
- Lemongrass: cut one or two outer stalks near the soil, or snip the green leaf blades. Leave the centre to grow.
- Rule of thumb: never take more than a third of a plant at once.
Pinch off tulsi’s flower spikes (manjari) as they appear. Leaves taste better before the plant flowers.
How to make tea with fresh mint leaves, tulsi and lemongrass
These are household amounts for one 200 to 250 ml cup. Taste first and adjust.
- Pudina: rinse 10 to 12 fresh leaves, bruise them lightly between your palms, pour just-boiled water over them and cover for 5 minutes.
- Tulsi: 8 to 10 fresh leaves, torn. Cover and steep 5 to 7 minutes. Covering keeps the scented oils in the cup, not in the kitchen.
- Lemongrass: one stalk or a few leaf blades, cut into 3 to 4 cm pieces and crushed with a rolling pin. Simmer 5 minutes, then rest 2.
- Mix: 6 mint leaves, 5 tulsi leaves and a 5 cm piece of lemongrass makes a gentle all-rounder.
- Finish: strain, add a slice of lemon or a little gur if you want. No sugar is needed for the taste.
Ajwain, saunf and adrak blends are written up properly in our herbal tea blends guide, so we won’t repeat them here.
The step that keeps the smell
Dry herbs in shade, not in sun. Direct sun bleaches leaves and drives off the aroma you grew them for. Agricultural advice from extension services says the same: sun drying costs flavour and colour. A shaded, airy room wins every time.
How to dry herbs at home without losing aroma
- Harvest in the morning and shake off insects. Rinse only if dusty, then pat completely dry.
- Sturdy herbs like tulsi and rosemary: tie 5 to 6 stems in a small bunch and hang upside down in a shaded, airy room.
- Soft, wet herbs like pudina: spread leaves in one layer on a cloth or newspaper, or hang in a paper bag with holes, so they don’t go mouldy.
- Lemongrass: chop into 2 to 3 cm pieces first and spread them out.
- Test: they’re done when leaves crumble between your fingers and stems snap. In a dry Lahore or Delhi summer that may be 3 to 5 days; in monsoon humidity or Karachi’s sea air it takes much longer.
- Store whole leaves in an airtight glass jar in a dark cupboard. Crush only when you brew. Throw out anything with a musty smell, damp clumps or spots of mould.
In the barsaat months, air drying often fails. Use an oven on its lowest setting with the door ajar, checking every 15 minutes, or simply use the herbs fresh.
Did you know? Lemongrass is a true grass, from the same family as wheat and sugarcane.
Herbal tea for digestion at home: what a cup can honestly do
A warm, caffeine-free cup after a heavy meal feels settling, and that comfort is real. Warm liquid, a slower pace and a pleasant smell all help you feel less stuffed. It’s also a good swap for a late doodh patti that would keep you up.
Beyond that, keep claims modest. Peppermint is the herb with the most research for tummy comfort, and even there the work is on peppermint oil capsules for gut cramps, not a cup of leaf tea. Tulsi and lemongrass have long histories in Ayurveda and Unani for digestion and calm, which is tradition, and modern evidence for the tea itself is thin.
In many homes a few tulsi leaves go into the evening kettle in winter, and pudina water is the summer standby after biryani. Treat these as kitchen customs, not prescriptions.
Myth: more leaves make a stronger, healthier tea
More leaves make a more bitter cup, not a better one. Tulsi turns harsh, and a fistful of mint gets sharp. Stick to household amounts, a cup or two a day, and enjoy it as a drink.
Who should go easy on herb teas
Mint can make heartburn and acid reflux worse in some people; if it does, switch to lemongrass or saunf. Tulsi in large or daily amounts is best avoided in pregnancy and by anyone on blood thinners or diabetes medicine, and ask your doctor first. Lemongrass tea is also best skipped in pregnancy. Ordinary cooking amounts of these herbs are fine. If you take any regular medicine, check our herbal tea safety guide and ask your pharmacist before making a daily habit of it. Give young children only a few sips, and never sweeten their cup with honey before age 1. Never brew a plant you can’t identify for sure, and never use leaves from a pot that was sprayed with insect killer.
A tea is not a fix for ongoing pain, vomiting, blood in stool or weight loss without trying. Those need a doctor.
Herb tea questions people ask
What are the best herbs to grow for tea?
Pudina, tulsi and lemongrass are the best three for a desi balcony. They’re easy, they like our heat with some care, and each makes a good cup on its own. Ajwain leaves and saunf add variety.
How do you make tea with fresh mint leaves?
Bruise 10 to 12 leaves, pour just-boiled water over them and cover for 5 minutes. Strain and add lemon if you like. Boiling the leaves hard makes the taste flat.
How do I make tulsi tea from fresh leaves?
Tear 8 to 10 leaves into a cup, add just-boiled water, cover and steep 5 to 7 minutes. Covering keeps the aroma in. Add a little ginger in winter if you like the bite.
How do I make lemongrass tea from my plant?
Cut one stalk or a few blades into short pieces, crush them, and simmer 5 minutes in a cup and a half of water. Rest 2 minutes, then strain. Make sure it’s true lemongrass, not citronella grass.
How do you dry herbs at home?
Hang sturdy stems in bunches, or spread soft leaves in one layer, in a shaded, airy room. They’re ready when leaves crumble and stems snap. Store in airtight jars away from light.
Is fresh or dried herb tea better?
Fresh tastes brighter and needs more leaves; dried is stronger by weight, so use about a teaspoon per cup. Mint and tulsi taste best fresh, lemongrass dries well.
Is herbal tea good for digestion?
A warm cup after meals is comforting and caffeine-free, which suits many people. It’s not a medicine, though. Ongoing stomach trouble needs a proper check-up.
Can I drink tulsi tea every day?
A cup made with a few fresh leaves is a normal household drink for most adults. Pregnant women and people on blood thinners or diabetes medicine should ask their doctor first.
Does mint tea cause acidity?
It can for some people with reflux, because mint relaxes the valve at the top of the stomach. If you get heartburn after it, switch to saunf or lemongrass.
Can kids drink herbal tea?
A few sips of mild, cooled mint or saunf tea are fine for most children over 1. Don’t sweeten with honey under age 1, and don’t replace milk or meals with it.
New pots for your tea garden can come free: see our sibling guide to propagating mint, tulsi and lemongrass. More ideas live in Zero-Waste Kitchen, and full growing notes in the tulsi guide and lemongrass guide.