Ceanothus americanus aka New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus, also known as New Jersey tea, is a species of shrub native to North America. It belongs to the Ceanothus genus and has several common names including Jersey tea ceanothus, variations of red root, mountain sweet, and wild snowball. During the American Revolution, its leaves were used as a substitute for imported tea, hence the name New Jersey tea. Native Americans also used the red roots and root bark for infections of the upper respiratory tract. The leaves of Ceanothus americanus have a fresh scent of wintergreen and were later utilized by European colonizers as a tea substitute and a stimulating caffeine-free beverage. New Jersey Tea is a rare houseplant that is easy to grow and thrives with regular watering. It prefers long-lasting, direct light and well-draining soil. Repotting each time it doubles in size is recommended, and added fertilizers may not be necessary. This plant is native to Canada and the United States.