It stands to reason that South Carolina has a number of “firsts.” We had the first museum, the first musical society, the first black church… the list goes on, and you can see it here. We also had the first tea plantation. It was located in Summerville, and began around 1888. But by 1915, the owner had fallen into ill health and the plantation’s prosperity dwindled. A few decades later, plants from that plantation would be transferred to a tea plantation located on Wadmalaw Island just south of Charleston.

And today, the oldest tea plantation in America is also the only large-scale commercial tea plantation in America.
© Robin Jarvis
Facebook/Charleston Tea Plantation
The Charleston Tea Plantation is home to Bigelow's American Classic Tea. Here, you'll find field after field of perfectly manicured tea plants typically standing about waist high.
Facebook/Charleston Tea Plantation

Related Stories

The Unique Beach Where You Can Stand With One Foot In Each Of The Carolinas

The Unique Beach Where You Can Stand With One Foot In Each Of The Carolinas

 The Oceanside Steakhouse In South Carolina That's A Carnivore Lover's Dream

The Oceanside Steakhouse In South Carolina That's A Carnivore Lover's Dream

 The Beachfront Restaurant In South Carolina Where It Feels Like Summer All Year Long

The Beachfront Restaurant In South Carolina Where It Feels Like Summer All Year Long
The scenery and the wide open spaces are like something from the past. Huge oak trees line the road leading into the retail store and parking area. The picturesque setting is the site of many wedding photos - it's just that perfect.
Facebook/Charleston Tea Plantation
You can tour the plantation for free, or for a nominal fee, you can hop on the trolley for a guided tour.
TripAdvisor/jeffsW8210WA
In addition to the self-guided tours and the trolley tours, you can also now take a tour inside the tea factory and see all of the equipment used in making tea. However you decide to experience Charleston Tea Plantation, the affair promises to be interesting and fun.
Facebook/Charleston Tea Plantation
Be sure to stop by the retail store for a sample of their fresh cuttings. You can also pick up some packaged tea to bring home. Actual product pairs nicely with photos when you're going through all the shots you'll have taken while exploring this one-of-a-kind plantation in South Carolina.
Facebook/Charleston Tea Plantation

Charleston Tea Plantation combines its decades of tea growing with plants from the first tea garden in America to make it the oldest working tea plantation in the country. Have you explored this enormous tea garden yet?

Charleston Tea Plantation is located at 6617 Maybank Hwy., Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487. It’s open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. (See a list of holiday closures here.) Self-guided tours are free. Trolley tours are $12/person, $6 for children 12 and under. Factory tours are free. Learn more on the official website for Charleston Tea Plantation, and on their Facebook page.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore South Carolina