Yerba Mate Plant – Tea Tree

Grow your own traditional South American herbal tea right in your garden or patio with our live Yerba Mate plant (Ilex paraguariensis). Native to the subtropical forests of South America, this handsome evergreen tree produces glossy, leathery dark-green leaves that are harvested, dried, and cured to brew the famous, antioxidant-rich beverage known as mate.

Beyond its cultural and beverage significance, Yerba Mate is an attractive landscape plant featuring dense, glossy foliage, small white flowers, and clusters of red berries that attract local pollinators. It thrives in warm, humid environments and can be maintained as a large shrub or small container tree with regular pruning. Well-established in 1-gallon nursery containers with healthy root systems, our young plants are ready to take off in your garden.

Features

– Homegrown herbal tea: Harvest your own nutrient-dense leaves to dry and brew authentic yerba mate.
– Handsome evergreen foliage: Glossy, attractive leaves and neat growing habit that look great year-round.
– Container size: 1 Gallon.
– Hardy subtropical perennial: Adapts well to container growing or in-ground landscaping in warm regions.

How to Care & Grow

1. Sunlight: Thrives in partial shade to full sun. In hotter inland climates, protecting the plant from harsh afternoon sun helps keep the foliage lush.
2. Soil & Planting: Plant in rich, fertile, acidic, and well-draining soil high in organic matter (ideal pH 4.5–6.0).
3. Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Yerba mate appreciates regular humidity and watering, much like its native rainforest habitat.
4. Climate & Protection: Best adapted to USDA Zones 9–11. In cooler regions, grow in a container and bring indoors or into a greenhouse during winter frosts.

From Inca Plant Nursery

At Inca Plant Nursery we specialize in unique economic and traditional utility plants. Order your healthy 1-gallon Yerba Mate plant today and add a piece of South American heritage to your collection.