Grow your own Container Chai Garden and enjoy a steamy cup with a homegrown harvest! It’s easy! You can do it on your balcony, patio, or windowsill!
Chai is an alternative word for tea in India and other Asian subcontinent nations. It’s prepared the same way in East Africa, where milk, loose-leaf tea, water, sugar, and spices are simmered, strained, and served when a nice concoction is formed. Let’s look at how you can make a Container Chai Garden easily!
Learn how to make a tea herb garden here
Container Chai Garden
Chai has many health benefits due to the blend of spices and herbs. You don’t need a big space to make a Chai Garden. A balcony, patio, or even the window sill is enough.
1. Ginger
Ginger is the number one ingredient to plant in your chai garden. It’s super easy to grow! Along with ginger roots, you can also use ginger leaves to make chai.
The anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties blend with its fresh and warm flavor make it a must-have chai garden plant.
Learn how to grow ginger here
2. Holy Basil
Holy basil is the add-on for your chai recipe. Both the seeds and leaves of this herb are useful. Add holy basil to benefit from its antioxidant, antiviral, and immune stimulant properties.
Growing holy basil is easy, though it requires warm weather. Grow it as an annual if you live in a cool climate. If you live in USDA Zones 9-11, grow it as a perennial.
Here’s the detailed growing guide
3. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is another herb to grow in a chai garden to give a light-refreshing lemony flavor to your chai. Chop the grass and add the pieces to your tea with other ingredients. It is full of antioxidants and improves digestion.
Grow lemongrass as a perennial if you live in a warm climate. Below USDA Zone 9, grow it as an annual. Cultivate the plant in moist but well-drained soil under full sun.
4. Stevia (Optional)
You can use fresh stevia leaves as a sweetener in your chai. Although, it’s optional! Raw stevia leaves are 40 times sweeter than sugar. Also, it has no calories!
Stevia grows best in a hot climate as a perennial, USDA Zones 9 and above. However, you can grow it year-round with protection from winter in a cold climate.
Other Ingredients to Make a Tasty Cup of Chai
To make a nice masala chai, you can add other spices like cardamom, cinnamon sticks, and fennel seeds. Add a combination of these spices and herbs according to your taste.
In the US, you can find many of these spices in the nearby food store at a reasonable price or you may go to the Asian grocery store.
