well grown in container , this tropical plant life is acknowledge for the strong vulgar fragrance of its leaves .
A shrubby tropical plant native to Southeast Asia , patchouly is well bonk for its fragrant essential oil color that bestow a rich , earthy portion to soaps , lotion , and essence . This non - edible herbaceous plant has also been used as a traditional medicine in China , Malaysia , and Japan .
It might surprise you that patchouli is a member of the mint folk . While it shares fast growth with other members of the mint family , it shinny in too much sunshine . In its native habitat , it grows as an understory plant life . The ballock - form leaves and stem are aromatic when crushed . The white efflorescence of patchouli have no especial scent .
Unless you live in Zone 10 or 11 and your yard offers the particular growing consideration that patchouli needs , it is best to develop in containers and overwinter it indoors .
Where to Plant Patchouli
Whether you plant patchouly in a location where it remains year - round of drinks or grow it in a container , give it a spot that is sheltered from the sear Sunday and the soil is rich , moist , and acidic .
For out-of-door planting , a location in a damp woodland setting or a bed that is shade by taller flora is ideal .
How and When to Plant Patchouli
Plant glasshouse - maturate pachouli in the natural spring after temperature are systematically above 70 degrees F during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. and 60 level F at dark . dig out a hole that some matches the size of the potful . Place the plant in the shopping mall of the muddle , report the roots with soil , then tamp down gently to remove air pocket . Water it good , thenadd a stratum of mulcharound the plant to retain moisture . leave the topsoil to dry before providing subsidiary weewee .
distance plants 5 feet apart in either focusing to allow for sufficient airflow .
Patchouli Care Tips
If the growing conditions are suitable , patchouli does not require much ongoing care .
Light
Outdoors , works patchouli or place the mess in a position with dappled spark . Avoidfull Lord’s Day picture , especially during the red-hot good afternoon 60 minutes .
Indoors , site the potted flora in a spotlight with bright indirect luminousness near an east- or west - facing window .
Soil and Water
The industrial plant needs rich , prolific , moist yet well - drained soil with asoil pH between 5.5 and 6.2 .
During the active growing time of year , water the plant life slowly and deeply when the top inch of grunge is just starting to dry out . Make trusted , however , not to overwater it .
During the wintertime dormancy , cut watering but do n’t let the industrial plant dry out out all .
Temperature and Humidity
Patchouli is a tropical , highly cold-blooded - sore plant that call for a warm , humid clime . It will shin in spicy and desiccate clime .
The flora get in quiescency when daytime temperature in the dusk drop below 70 degrees F. At that point , get container - grown plants within and place them in a spot with bright indirect light . Move plants outside again in late spring or early summertime when temperature warm up up again .
Fertilizer
Starting in the fountain when the industrial plant starts its fighting growing season , fecundate in - ground plants with Pisces the Fishes photographic emulsion every three month , following the label instructions . provender pot plant with ahouseplant fertilizerat diluted intensity level about once a calendar month . Do not fertilize the flora during the winter .
Pruning
To encourage more compact foliage emergence , pinch back any leggy stem above a set of leaf . polish off the flower buds as they appear also encourages more leaf growth .
Potting and Repotting Patchouli
Patchouli is a prime candidate for grow in a container . opt an 8- to 12 - inch - diameter mess with large drain hole and fill it with lightweight potting commixture and a few handfuls of compost . Keep in mind that container works need frequent lachrymation , peculiarly in ardent weather .
Due to its rapid development , the plant might need annual repotting to a bombastic container with fresh potting soil every spring when the ascendant arrangement has started to occupy the container .
Pests and Problems
Starting in the 2nd time of year , plants are susceptible to foliage blight , a fungal disease that cause browned spots on the leaf . If it progress , it can lead to the full leaf drying . Good air circulation and pruning out infected plant parts with desex pruning shear help oneself to delay the spread of the disease . If the infection is severe , it is skillful to discard the plant and get going saucy with a new one .
How to Propagate Patchouli
Patchouli ispropagated from cum indoors . In the other spring , plant the tiny seed in a seed - bulge out tray or container fulfill with soilless potting mixture . If the room temperature is below 70 level farad , provide extra heat energy by placing the tray on a heating lustrelessness , as the seminal fluid need warmth for sprouting . Patchouli typically germinates within three week . Once the seedlings egress , place them in a warm patch with bright indirect luminousness . If there is not sufficient natural light , place agrow light3 to 4 feet off .
irrigate the seedlings on a regular basis , they are exceptionally sensitive to dry soil . Keep the young plants in a mature environment that includes moderate - to - warm temperature , moist but not soggy soil , and collateral igniter .
Thin the seedlings and leave only the strongest in each pot .
step by step acclimate the plants to the outdoor conditions when daytime temperature attain 70 degrees F. Start with a few hours and increase the time outside every twenty-four hour period before leaving the works outside for the duration of the summer .
Frequently Asked Questions
In idealistic term , the leave grow up to 4 column inch long . They can be used for potpourri or incense . glean the large leaves on dry mornings . dry out them by spread them in a single stratum on a screen . Set them in a well - ventilated space where they are protect from direct sunlight . Let the leaves dry completely before crushing them for potpourri or travail them for incense .
Neither the efflorescence nor the leaves have the typical Pogostemon cablin smell when on the flora . The leaves only give off a fragrance when you fret them between your finger .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
