16/08/2024
Heather Dwyer
True Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) creates essential oils mainly from its flowers. You can see them here nearly dripping. We have plants and seeds available at Strictly Medicinal Seeds. These are nice to hold indoors as potted plants over the winter--they do well in rich soil and moist shade. I find them deeply attractive.
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardy to Zones 10 to 12, normally grown as a potted plant and brought indoors for the winter
(Pogostemon patchouli) Tropical perennial native to Asia. Iconic essence of the Hippie Culture that arose during the 1960's and dissipated thereafter, leaving little archaeological evidence in its vericolored wake. The patchouli plant (and the reddish essential oil obtained from it) evoke images of sweaty sun and green lawns in Berkeley, the strains of Mr Tambourine man drifting across a lucid landscape, smiles and avocados, lace stockings, violet-paned sunglasses, brown breasts with dancing ni***es and matchboxes containing (not matches). Plant prefers full to part shade, moist, rich soils, humidity. The plant thrives under good care but fades fast with neglect--it needs watering almost daily, has zero tolerance for frost and will sunburn if not protected by shade.
