Hi all
I just bought the most wonderful patchouli plant yesterday at the Mount's plant sale. I just have never had one before and am wondering where to plant it. I live in zone 11. I asked the ladies that sold it to me but they didn't know to much. Any help would be appreciated.
Carol
Patchouli Plant
Hey!
It prefers a bit of shade. If it freezes or dries out excessively, it will die. It's photo-periodic so you will see flowers in winter. Fairly easy to root, also.
I still have a mass of flowering tops harvested 5 yrs ago just sitting in my room. A little disturbance and that scent spreads its warmth.
Hmmmm....might need to look into that one. How are they grown in pots, Kevin? Do they do ok?
No chance of freeze here in zone 11. So it would probable like morning sun. Once it is established will it continue to need a lot of water?? We get water restrictions here, right now we have two days, but I can sneak and hand water if needed.
It has flowers now and has the most wonderful scent!
when it gets too big i bet you can distill it...
Hi Dabney I am still looking for a used pressure cooker. I haven't forgotten about you just having a bit of a money flow issue. I should be getting some money soon.
The bush is in a 5 gal container and has blooms already. It is sooo wonderful, I swoon every time I brush the bush.
hi Carol....no worries! if you ever take cuttings, i'd love one! anyone have any babies to trade or something?
They'll do ok in pots until they get root-bound; then you gotta watch them drying out too much.
Thanks for your help. I am a bit nervous to plant this as I go away for part of the summer, I'd hate for it to die. BTW When you say a bit of shade should it have filtered light or just morning light??
Patchouli is Pogostemon heyneanus. It prefers some shade during the afternoon. The entire plant, especially the leaves have a fragrance. Some people like it, some hate it. The fragrance reminds some people of their "hippie" days. It is tropical, subtropical, and is fast growing.
i just got one too, Carol! when are you leaving to go north?
Got my patchouli out side in full sun. Doing OK. Just repotted it to bigger pot ,much bigger with 2 Lisianthis. When I went away for 5 days I moved it to a sunny window in my house. It got AM sun. It was fine. For long trips I have heard of moving plants to a bathroom tub with a good watering. Do not give them light they should survive about 2 weeks. Out side even a breeze will send off that patchouli sent. I live in north eastern Maryland and it has been cool here this summer. Temps 80 ish during the day, low humidity and cool nights. Unheard of in MD. Patchouli makes a good house plant. Need fulls sun inside. Never seen it flower.
The flowers are very inconspicuous, in upright clusters, greenish in color.