2/1/08

How to Grow Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)

I planted this patchouli from seed in Nov 2006. After four months, it had 6 leaves (photo here), so I'd consider it a slow grower. It gets 30 minutes of water each morning via my drip irrigation system. It was sown in good soil, and was then transplanted into the vegetable garden aginst the fence. I've never pruned it. It is supposed to reach 18-36 inches in height. This is the first time it's formed buds and bloomed. Buds started forming a month ago and it showed its first few purple blooms last week.

I'm supposed to be able to allow the seed heads to dry on the plant, then save them for future planting. It smells great and the essential oil comes from the dried leaves, although I've never made the oil.

The only problem I'm having is that the leaves are turning yellow. I'm headed over to gardenweb to see if anyone can tell me what I'm doing wrong.


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Labels: , at 2/01/2008 11:31:00 AM

12 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I bought a couple of plants last month and the cold was just too much for them (NW Florida). They were in the greenhouse and still didn't make it.
    ReplyDelete
  2. Patchouli plants don't like a lot of sun and they don't like the cold. If you live in an area where you will get a frost I suggesting uprooting your plant and putting it in a large terra cotta pot so it can be transferred indoors during the winter. You can place them in the ground until them, still in the pot. My plant was turning green/yellow on top and purple on the bottom, then I gave it a high nitrogen feed (a rotted manure compost would be good, but I just used store bought fertilizer) and it got it's color back. Also, you could be overwatering and the plant isnt getting sufficient drainage. Hope this helps.
    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
  4. Danielle, hi, i planted some patchouli (i think!) from seed i got from Horizon Herb....it came up "too well" and the plants are doing well...but they have no smell! they are probably five months old, and i note the leaves do not have the same look as the plant i already have that i bought last year. They are glossier....how long does it take for the plants to "smell" like patchouli, or should they already?? I have emailed the company i bought the seed from twice. they have not replied yet!! Any input will be appreciated!! Thanks and have a great day!
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  5. I have a Patchouli I give it no sun and I found that mine loves water ! I never let mine dry out
    it' a also aquatic plant used in aquariums /So I think of it like a fish and never let it get dry
    and mine does very good,I started a cutting in another clay pot had it growing real nicely I gave it to my step daughter and she was complaining to me about the leaves are browning so I went over and looked at it and sure enough
    it was dry !horrible all the green leaves tips
    where all brown !
    I put a cereal bowl under my pot and never let the bottom dry ever ! always water in bowl at least 3/4 full and I allow plant daw water untill the bowl is about 1 inch then re filling
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  6. Hi
    I live in Centeral Florida ..... and would love to get some patchouli growing . where did you find your plants?
    charlene
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  7. Today I received a patchouli from rosesandherbs.com
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  8. Where can i buy seeds?
    Thank's
    :)
    ReplyDelete
  9. The GREEN leaves do not smell very much, or rather have a green, vegetable odor.

    Pick some DRY leaves, or pick green ones and dry them. Then the typical aroma will emerge.

    The plant shouldn't be allowed to dry out.

    Patrick
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  10. there are several species of pathouli.
    cablin is superior in fragrance
    ReplyDelete
  11. I have a two year old and it is very sensitive to sunlight. To much makes it weep like a willow.
    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm trying to water root a cutting, I stripped the bottom leaves and removed the flowers. Was doing ok for about 2 days, now the leaves are droopy like it's wilted. Any thoughts?
    ReplyDelete

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