Names:
Family Labiatae. Lamiaceae.
Genus & Species Pogostemon patchouli
AKA Pogostemon cablin.
Common Name Patchouli.


Description:
Size/Shape Grows to 12" in container. 2 to 3 feet in height. Plants in containers run about 12 inches (30 cm) tall with an equal spread. Shrubby.
Leaves Soft, opposite, egg-shaped leaves and square stems. Dark to medium green leaves that reach up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long by about half as wide.
Flowers Whitish flowers, tinged with purple, grow in both axillary and terminal spikes. Very small flowers that are purplish.
Blooming Season Summer. Late fall. Fall to early winter.
Fragrance The leaves contain the perfume. Exotic incense. The odour improves with age. Aromatic. Flowers are fragrant too. A deep earthy scent. It is said that either you love it or hate it. Strong, exotic perfume. Extremely rich, sweet herbaceous, aromatic spicy and woody balsamic odor.
Use Excellent in potpourris and sachets. The odour improves with age. Due to its insect repellent action, it has been used to drive away mosquitoes, ants, moths, flies, gnats. Used to prevent woolen cloths and expensive dresses from ravages of moths and insects.


Growing Info:
Propagation Easy to grow. Cuttings or by seed. Cuttings are taken in the spring and are slow to root. Dividing the rootball. Softwood cuttings. Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds.
Soil A rich well-drained soil mix. Soil mix consisting of 2 parts peat moss to 1 part loam to 1 part sand or perlite. Acidic to mildly acidic.
Water Water regularly. Water is somewhat restricted for the winter months. Average water. Don't overwater. Requires consistently moist soil. Do not let dry out between waterings.
Food Fertilize every other week with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the strength.
Light Full sun. Full sun to partial shade. Full sun to light shade.
Climate Warm. Zone 10 and higher. Zones 8-12.


Misc.:
Source to Buy Richters seeds and plant (as Patchouli).
Google http://tinyurl.com/8k57f

Pictures:

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