Frequently asked questions

General

What is the Tea & Tendril?

The Tea & Tendril is a tea and plant shop dedicated to sustainable, homegrown tea blends, unique tea accessories, and live plant cuttings to help you start your own tea garden. We’re here to make every sip a mindful moment and help you connect with nature

What makes your teas unique?

Our teas are carefully sourced, with a focus on sustainability and quality. Many of our blends are transitioning to include ingredients from our very own homegrown plants, ensuring freshness and a touch of care in every cup.

Where are you located?

Originally from Guam but we’re currently based in Missouri, USA. While we don’t have a storefront, you can browse our collection online anytime.

Where is Guam?

Guam is a U.S. territory. It is the largest island in the chain of Mariana Islands of the Micronesia in the western North Pacific Ocean.

Tea Questions

Where do your ingredients come from?

Some of our herbs and teas are homegrown but others are sourced from responsible and sustainable, U.S. based growers. We're committed to growing some ingredients ourselves, ensuring you get the highest quality. This means all of our plants are homegrown.

Are the ingredients organic?

Our homegrown plants, herbs, and teas are pesticide-free and organic (though not certified). However, our sourced herbs and teas are certified organic unless otherwise noted.

How should I brew loose leaf tea?

It's all about the type of tea and your personal preference, start with 1 tsp / 2.5g of tea per 8 ounces of hot water (approx. 82°C / 180°F. Let it steep for 3-5 minutes for most blends.

What's the best way to store tea?

Store your tea in a cool, dry place away from light, heat, and moisture. An airtight container or a tea tin will keep your tea fresh longer.

Plant Care

Can I buy seedlings if I’m new to gardening?

Absolutely! We offer beginner-friendly plants with easy-to-follow instructions, so you can confidently start your tea garden no matter how much experience you have.

How should I care for the plant cuttings?

Each plant cutting comes with care instructions, but generally, you’ll want to plant them in well-drained soil and place them in indirect sunlight. Water regularly, but don’t overwater.

Orders & Shipping

How do I create an account?

We’re all about keeping things simple! Unlike many other sites, we don’t require users to create an account to make a purchase. This makes the buying process faster and more streamlined for you. Instead, each order comes with a confirmation email that includes all the details you need to track your order. Please keep this email handy, as it will serve as your reference for order history and tracking.

How can I check the status of my order?

After placing an order, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your order details and tracking information once your order ships. If you ever have questions or need additional help, just reach out to us via email, and we’ll be happy to assist!

Do you ship outside the U.S.?

We currently ship internationally except plants and some teas due to customs restrictions.

How long does shipping take?

Most orders are processed within 3-5 business days and shipped via standard shipping. Delivery times vary, but you can expect to be kept informed with tracking information.

What is the Live Arrival Guarantee?

This guarantee protects you if a plant arrives dead or severely damaged in transit. However, it does not cover minor shipping wear or common root stress that plants may experience during travel. Additionally, because plants are living organisms, our guarantee extends only through the first 5 days in your care. After this period, the health and care of the plant are the responsibility of the customer.

How do I know if I need a cold or hot pack?

If you expect extremely hot weather, please add a cold pack to your order. Likewise, if you anticipate very cold conditions, consider adding a heat pack. Please note that if these add-ons are not purchased and your plant suffers temperature-related damage, this will void our live arrival guarantee.

Tracking says delivered but I don't have it..

All orders are shipped via USPS with tracking. If your tracking status shows “Delivered” but you haven’t received the package, please first check with family members, neighbors, or your mail carrier. Occasionally, USPS may prematurely mark packages as delivered, it may arrive the following day. Please double check with your local post office.

Customers are responsible for providing a secure delivery location. If your package cannot be located, we will contact your local post office and initiate a missing mail investigation. USPS confirms deliveries with accurate GPS coordinates. In the event of a GPS-confirmed misdelivery, we will replace your lost package. If your package is stolen, please file a police report as soon as possible and email us a copy. We will then initiate an investigation with the U.S. Postal Inspector.