Labrador Tea
Ledum glandulosum
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. CFC0 — Ledum glandulosum
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IOverview
Overview
Labrador Tea (Ledum glandulosum) is a shrub found in the wild across northern regions of North America, including Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Known for its edible and ornamental qualities, this plant thrives in moist environments with light to full shade, making it adaptable to various soil types ranging from sandy to clay. Its leaves are the edible part, often used in teas or as a flavoring agent. One distinctive feature of Labrador Tea is its ability to grow up to 1.5 meters tall, providing both visual interest and practical use for those seeking native plants in their gardens.
Quick answers
What is Labrador Tea?
Labrador Tea (Ledum glandulosum) is a shrub found in the wild across northern regions of North America, including Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
What is Labrador Tea used for?
Traditionally used for immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Labrador Tea
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Labrador Tea appears in herbal sources around seasonal wellness traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Labrador Tea support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Labrador Tea thrives in partial to full sun and prefers moist, well-draining soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in temperate regions, making it suitable for gardens in its native range across Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon. This plant grows to a height of 1.5 meters and is known for its edible leaves. For successful cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Propagate through division or by sowing seeds in spring.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade, Full shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Mature size
1.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Labrador Tea for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Labrador Tea in a well-prepared spot, and it will thrive with minimal care.
- 1
What you'll need
Labrador Tea plants or seeds, garden gloves, trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Labrador Tea in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). Ensure good drainage for containers.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants from nursery pots into the garden. For seeds, sow them in early spring and cover lightly.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not soggy during establishment. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial sun to full shade with regular watering, especially in dry periods. Prune lightly if needed to maintain shape.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter before new growth starts to encourage a bushy shape and remove any dead branches.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too sunny a spot, neglecting to prune, using harsh chemicals on the plant.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: Condiment, Tea
Other uses:Fragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
11 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
11 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 11 native
Broader regions
native:Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
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