Complete Gardening
As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like a warm beverage to keep you cozy. Growing your own plants for these delicious drinks not only enhances the flavor but also provides a sense of accomplishment.
In this guide, we will explore 20 plants that you can grow to brew perfect warming winter beverages. From classic herbs to exotic spices, discover how these plants can transform your winter into a season of warmth and comfort.
1. Mint
Mint is a versatile herb that can be used to create refreshing teas or add a touch of freshness to hot chocolate.
Its cool and invigorating flavor contrasts beautifully with the warmth of winter drinks. Mint is easy to grow indoors and thrives in a sunny windowsill.
Keep the soil moist, and you’ll have fresh mint leaves ready to enhance your beverages. Try adding mint to a steaming cup of tea or cocoa for a delightful twist.
2. Ginger
Ginger is a must-have for warming winter drinks, known for its spicy and aromatic flavor.
It adds a zesty kick to teas and lattes, making it a popular choice during the colder months.
Grow ginger in a pot with well-draining soil, and place it in a warm spot with indirect sunlight. Enjoy the soothing taste of homemade ginger tea made from your own plant.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon brings a sweet, woody aroma to your winter beverages, perfect for spicing up hot cider or coffee.
This tropical tree can be grown indoors with care, ideally in a greenhouse or warm, humid environment.
Harvest the inner bark to create your own cinnamon sticks, and infuse them into your favorite drinks. Experience the warming sensation of cinnamon with every sip.
4. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm offers a delicate citrus flavor that pairs well with various winter drinks, from herbal teas to mulled wine.
This hardy plant is easy to grow and prefers partial shade and well-drained soil.
Regular pruning encourages bushy growth, ensuring a plentiful supply of leaves. Use fresh lemon balm leaves to add a hint of lemony freshness to your beverages.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary’s pine-like aroma and flavor make it an excellent choice for savory winter drinks.
Ideal for adding depth to teas and hot toddies, rosemary is easy to grow indoors.
Place it in a sunny location and ensure the soil dries out between waterings. Snip a sprig to elevate your warm beverages with its unique taste.
6. Chamomile
Chamomile is renowned for its calming properties, perfect for soothing winter evenings.
The gentle floral notes of chamomile tea are both comforting and aromatic.
Grow chamomile in well-drained soil with ample sunlight, and its daisy-like flowers will thrive. Enjoy a cup of chamomile tea made from your own garden harvest.
7. Lavender
Lavender adds a subtle floral touch to your drinks, transforming them into fragrant masterpieces.
Its calming scent and flavor are perfect for relaxing teas.
Grow lavender in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and prune regularly to encourage growth. Experience the serene taste of lavender-infused beverages on chilly winter nights.
8. Hibiscus
Hibiscus offers a tart, cranberry-like flavor that brightens up winter teas and punches.
Rich in vitamin C, it’s a healthy addition to your beverage repertoire.
Grow hibiscus in warm, sunny conditions, and its stunning blossoms will provide both beauty and flavor. Brew a refreshing hibiscus tea with petals from your own plant.
9. Vanilla
Vanilla imparts a sweet, creamy flavor to winter beverages, from lattes to hot milk.
Though challenging to grow, the reward of fresh vanilla pods is worth the effort.
Cultivate vanilla orchids in a controlled environment with high humidity and warmth. Infuse your drinks with the luxurious taste of homegrown vanilla.
10. Sage
Sage’s earthy and slightly peppery flavor enhances savory winter drinks like spiced teas and broths.
Grow this hardy herb in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight.
Regular harvesting encourages new growth, providing a continuous supply of aromatic leaves. Discover the rustic charm of sage in your homemade beverages.
11. Peppermint
Peppermint brings a cool, refreshing taste to hot chocolate and teas, making it a winter favorite.
Its invigorating scent and flavor are both uplifting and warming.
Grow peppermint in a container to prevent it from spreading uncontrollably, and place it in a sunny spot. Relish the crispness of peppermint-infused drinks during the colder months.
12. Nutmeg
Nutmeg offers a warm, nutty spice that enhances eggnog, lattes, and mulled wine.
Grow nutmeg in tropical or greenhouse conditions for best results.
The fragrant seeds can be grated to add a distinctive flavor to winter beverages. Experience the comforting taste of freshly grated nutmeg in your drinks.
13. Thyme
Thyme’s subtle, earthy flavor complements savory winter beverages like herbal teas and broths.
It’s easy to grow, requiring well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight.
Harvest regularly for continuous growth, and enjoy the unique taste of thyme in your homebrewed drinks.
14. Cardamom
Cardamom’s sweet and spicy flavor is perfect for chai and spiced lattes.
Growing this tropical plant requires warm, humid conditions.
Harvest the pods to infuse your drinks with an exotic touch. Delight in the aromatic blend of cardamom in your winter creations.
15. Cloves
Cloves deliver a rich, warming spice ideal for mulled wines and cider.
This tropical tree thrives in warm, humid environments.
Harvest the flower buds to use in both savory and sweet drinks. Enjoy the deep, spicy flavor of cloves in your winter beverages for a cozy experience.
16. Saffron
Saffron adds a luxurious, aromatic flavor to warm drinks like milk and teas.
Though expensive, growing your own saffron can be rewarding.
Plant in well-drained soil with full sunlight, and harvest the red stigmas. Experience the opulence of saffron-infused beverages crafted at home.
17. Anise
Anise’s sweet, licorice-like taste is ideal for spicing up teas and hot chocolate.
Grow this easy-to-care-for plant in well-drained soil with full sun.
Harvest the seeds to add a unique flavor to your drinks. Embrace the sweet and spicy aroma of anise on chilly evenings.
18. Bay Leaves
Bay leaves impart a subtle, herbal fragrance to savory winter broths and teas.
Grow this versatile tree in a pot, providing a sunny spot and well-drained soil.
Regular pruning encourages growth, and the leaves can be dried for storage. Savor the aromatic depth of bay leaves in your warming drinks.
19. Fennel
Fennel’s sweet, aniseed flavor is perfect for soothing teas and infusions.
Grow fennel in rich, well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight.
Harvest the seeds to enhance your drinks with its distinctive taste. Enjoy the refreshing and calming qualities of fennel in your winter beverage selection.
20. Turmeric
Turmeric offers a warm, earthy spice that complements golden milk and teas.
It’s known for its health benefits and vibrant color.
Grow turmeric in warm, humid conditions with rich soil. Harvest the rhizomes to add a golden glow to your winter drinks. Experience the soothing warmth of turmeric in your homemade beverages.