Patchouli - Pogostemon cablin

The Patchouli is a tropical plant that requires temperatures above 10°C to grow. It can be grown in pots in our climate. Patchouli is a low shrub that reaches a height of 80 cm (32in), and its dried leaves can be used to scent potpourris or linen. It can be planted in spring or autumn, and the leaves can be harvested from May to September.

Patchouli is a perennial tropical plant native to Asia and Oceania, requiring warmth and humidity to grow. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, like Mint. It is a highly branched low shrub that grows rapidly and reaches a height of 80 cm (32in). Its evergreen leaves are wide and dentate. Flowering, in the form of white flowers in spikes, is rare in our climate. Patchouli needs temperatures above 10°C to thrive and cannot withstand temperatures below 5°C. Its foliage turns red when temperatures drop. Growing it in pots allows for outdoor placement during the summer and indoor placement during winter.

Once dried, the leaves release a fragrance with musk and camphor notes. Use them to scent potpourris or linen. Additionally, Patchouli essential oil is known for toning circulation and reducing anxiety. Patchouli is also widely used in perfumery.

Harvesting: The leaves are harvested from May to September.

Storage: Drying intensifies the fragrance of the leaves: place the leaves between two sheets of paper inside a large book.

The gardener's tip: When grown in pots, Patchouli can be placed in various locations: in a conservatory, in a greenhouse, on a balcony, on a terrace, in the garden, in the vegetable patch... However, make sure to store the pot indoors during winter, where the temperature is above 10°C.