Quick answer: New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) is native to 35 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically live plant, verified 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: unknown author, USFWS, Wikimedia Commons (PUBLIC DOMAIN)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Low-Medium water, Dry-Moist |
| Soil | Well-drained mesic sand, loam, or limey soils |
| Bloom | Bloom Mar-Aug |
| Height | Up to 3-5 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Butterflies use flowers, turkeys/quail eat seeds, larval host for Spring Azure, Summer Azure, and Mottled Duskywing, special value to native bees |
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (16 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Live plant via Amazon · listing verified 16 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about New Jersey tea
Where is New Jersey tea native?
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) is native to 35 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does New Jersey tea bloom?
New Jersey tea blooms Mar-Aug. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does New Jersey tea need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade. Water: Low-Medium water, Dry-Moist. Soil: Well-drained mesic sand, loam, or limey soils. Mature height: Up to 3-5 ft tall.
Is New Jersey tea good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Butterflies use flowers, turkeys/quail eat seeds, larval host for Spring Azure, Summer Azure, and Mottled Duskywing, special value to native bees.
Is New Jersey tea deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
New Jersey tea is drought-tolerant.
Where can I buy real New Jersey tea seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as live plant that names the true species, last checked 16 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Ceanothus americanus on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with New Jersey tea.
- Eastern red columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa
- Fragrant sumac Rhus aromatica
- Partridge pea Chamaecrista fasciculata
- Birdfoot violet Viola pedata
- Southern arrowwood Viburnum dentatum
Also listed under
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