Labrador Tea in Alaska

Labrador tea is a low-growing evergreen shrub found in Alaska’s bogs and tundra landscapes.  I usually find it when I am searching for blueberries! Its leaves are dark green on top and pale, fuzzy underneath. When crushed, they release a distinct herbal scent. It has long been used for tea in northern regions.

Where Labrador Tea Grows

Labrador tea thrives in:

• Bogs
• Tundra
• Mossy wetlands
• Arctic and Interior regions

It prefers acidic, moist soil.

Identifying Labrador Tea

Key features include:

• Narrow evergreen leaves
• Rusty or fuzzy underside
• Low shrub growth
• White spring flowers

Leaves are typically harvested in summer.

Traditional Uses

Labrador tea leaves have been dried and brewed for generations.

It has a strong, earthy flavor and should be used in moderation.

A simple tea infuser or mesh strainer works well when brewing dried leaves.

A Tundra Plant

Labrador tea is not flashy. It stays low to the ground and survives harsh conditions.

It is part of Alaska’s quiet plant community — resilient and understated.