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How to Grow an Herbal Tea Garden in Las Vegas, NV with JoJami Tyler of Fancy Pants Garden
- Mojave Bloom
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping outside and clipping fresh herbs for tea, the Mojave Desert might seem like the last place to try it. According to desert gardening coach JoJami Tyler, Las Vegas is actually one of the best places to cultivate an herbal tea garden, as long as you understand the climate, choose the right plants, and follow a few key strategies.
JoJami, owner of Fancy Pants Garden, has been gardening for more than 40 years.
Originally from the East Coast, she’s spent the last decade mastering the unique challenges of desert gardening.
“Being a desert gardener is so important because we have so many people here who come from out of town, and the strategy is completely different,” she says. “Timing, watering, and shade cloth all matter.”
JoJami wants to set the record straight with new Las Vegans: You can absolutely have the garden of your dreams here.
Why Start With Herbal Plants?
Herbal tea plants are some of the most beginner-friendly plants you can grow in Las Vegas. They’re fragrant, useful, forgiving, and, when you choose the right ones, well-suited to our intense climate.
Many herbs also grow well in pots, making them perfect for balconies, patios, or small yards.
Gardening in the Mojave Desert: What You Must Know
According to JoJami, there are three major challenges new gardeners need to understand:
1. Timing Is Everything
Las Vegas has very tight windows for cool- season and warm-season crops.
For example, tomatoes have a tiny window. “Rather than grow large beefsteak, you might want to try a cherry tomato,” she says.
Cilantro is a short, cool-weather herb that bolts fast.
“Most people don’t realize how early we need to plant,” she says. “Oftentimes, people are going to Youtube for advice, and there are a lot of great gardeners there, but what they don’t take into account is the creator isn’t gardening in our unique environment.”
2. You Need Irrigation
Imagine the magic of waking up early with the sunrise, hearing the birds chirping, letting the sun sprinkle its sunlight on your plants as you water. Now imagine that it’s 112 degrees outside. “You can’t hand-water in summer unless you have the schedule to be doing it three times a day,” she warns. Drip irrigation is a must for consistent moisture.
3. Choose Desert-Friendly Varieties
Many struggle to successfully grow plants in the desert because they often choose varieties that are not adapted to our climate. Plant selection matters more in the Mojave than almost anywhere else.
Basil, Chamomile, Dill
Heat-Tolerant, Beginner-Friendly Herbs
These are the herbs JoJami recommends for any new Las Vegas tea garden:
Rosemary – A hardy, desert superstar.
Basil – Thrives in summer; her #1 herb for beginners. You can put it in everything; pesto, salads, omelets. It grows beautifully here.
Dill – Loves cool weather and gets big.
Chamomile – Great for tea, though a bit delicate.
Mint (especially apple mint) – Easy, fast, delicious…but invasive. Keep in a pot!
Lemon Verbena – Amazing citrus flavor and doesn’t take up much space.
Sage, thyme, tarragon (Mexican tarragon for heat tolerance) - Great for container gardens.
Verbena – Perfect for tea and stays compact.
Soil, Water, and Microclimates
Use Amendments That Work in Desert Soil
JoJami’s #1 recommendation? Compost and worm castings. Nature’s gold.
No complicated instructions, no burn risk. Just consistent improvement to nutrient-poor desert soil. Don’t over complicate things by trying to decipher fish emulsion, plant foods, and other properties. Compost is easy, natural, and great for soil.
Watering in Extreme Heat
Overwatering is the #1 problem she sees amongst her clients. Here are her favorite personal tips for watering in the summer:
Don’t water after 5 p.m.
Keep soil moist, not soggy—“no wet legs.”
Use at least a 24" pot so soil doesn’t turn to dust.
Most herbs prefer slightly dry roots.
Creating Shade and Microclimates
When it comes to the desert, never underestimate the value of microclimates, and never forget about shade. Whether you use natural shade under a tree, or create artificial shade with shade cloth, you have options:
Move potted herbs under a tree or patio.
Use shade cloth during peak summer.
Plant tall herbs or flowers to shade delicate ones. Jojami recently planted hollyhock to protect her more delicate strawberry plants that were planted at the base.
Common Mistakes Las Vegas Gardeners Make
Using “any old soil” instead of amending properly
It important to note that your pot needs to be at least 20-24 inches, in diameter, so that it wont dry out too fast. Then plant it densly with a variety of herbs. That way, they won't dry out as fast.
Trying to grow herbs in small pots outside. They dry out so fast, then the plants die and then gardeners blame themselves for killing the plant, when they weren't set up for success. JoJami’s Tip: Use 20-24 inch pots, in diameter, and plant it densely with a variety of herbs (excluding Mint as it will quickly take over.)
Overwatering (90% of her clients do this!)
Planting herbs out of season
Trying to start difficult herbs, like rosemary or thyme, from seed
Letting themselves get discouraged, forgetting that annuals die by design, not because you failed
Pests & Problems (And How to Fix Them)
Herbs are pretty tough, but here’s what to watch for:
Spider mites on sage → spray with castile soap + water
Overwatered lavender → "Lavender does NOT want much water!"
Dill flopping over → normal; it gets big
Mint taking over → keep it contained
Most perennial herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano are extremely resilient.
Harvesting Your Herbs
The best time? “Morning, for sure. That’s when the oils are strongest.” But, she insists, fresh from your garden beats store-bought any time of day.
Fancy Pants Gardens Fresh Herbal Tea Recipes
Herbal Tea with Lavender, Mint, and Lemon Verbena
1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon verbena leaves or lemon balm
2 cups boiling water
1 tea bag (optional)
Honey for serving
Instructions:
Rinse the inside of your teapot with hot water.
Place the lavender, mint, and lemon verbena into the teapot, either loose or in a tea ball.
Pour in the boiling water and steep for 5 minutes. Strain.
Serve in warmed cups with honey (Makes two cups).* For a stronger brew, add a black tea bag or loose black tea and increase the water by one cup.
Apple Mint Tea
Place a handful of apple mint (or mint of choice) into a teapot.
Pour in the boiling water and steep for 5 mins. Strain. Serve in a warmed cup with honey.
Chamomile, Rosemary, Orange Peel
2 tablespoons fresh chamomile flowers
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
A strip of fresh orange peel
Instructions:
1. Pour in the boiling water and steep for 5 mins.
Strain.
Enjoy cozy winter flavor with a gentle citrus lift.
Starting Your Tea Garden: First 4 Steps
If you want to start this season, JoJami recommends:
Choose a spot with 4–6 hours of sun, plus light shade.
Get a good pot or raised bed.
Fill it with the best soil you can get (she specifically recommends Mojave Bloom Nursery’s selection). Add drip irrigation, or an olla if you’re limited on space.
Buy Seedlings! Many newbie gardeners fail when trying to grow straight from seed for their herb gardens.
Want to Learn More From JoJami?
JoJami currently offers a club membership that allows you to discover the magic of transforming desert soil into a nutrient-packed paradise for your plants. Learn when and how to fertilize those hungry veggies, find the perfect varieties of veggies, herbs, and blooms that will thrive in our harsh climate, keep the creepy crawlies at bay with natural, chemical-free strategies that work, master the art of perfect timing - plant, water, and harvest like a pro for a garden that never quits, spot plant problems early and solve them fast so your garden stays lush and lively!
Her Fancy Pants Garden Club Membership includes:
Twice-monthly Zoom garden coaching
24/7 texting for plant questions
Step-by-step guides for desert gardening success
If you want hands-on help growing herbs in Las Vegas, this is the perfect next step. Find out more here.
And while you’re building your tea garden, don’t forget to explore the available herb seedlings, seeds, and soil selections at Mojave Bloom Nursery.
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