Patchouli
Pogostemon cablin

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb or small shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a smell. The stems are erect and 30-100 cm tall. The leaf stalk is 1-6 cm long. The leaf blade is almost round and 2-10.5 cm long by 1-8.5 cm wide. There are irregular teeth along the edge. There are many flowers. They are purple.

Probably medicine. There are about 60-70 Pogostemon species. They grow in the tropics. The oil is used to scent soaps and perfumes.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs to grow in the tropics or subtropics. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 400 m altitude. In Nepal it grows between 100-1,000 m above sea level. It cannot tolerate frost. It can grow in soils with a pH between 5.5-8.0. It suits hardiness zone 10.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Asia, China, Cuba, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nepal, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Samoa, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fresh leaves are sometimes used as a seasoning. The dried and cured leaves yield an essential oil used to flavour chewing gum, baked goods and sweets. It is also used to perfume a tea made from Cleistocalyx operculatus.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring, leaves - oil

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds but often plants don't form seeds. It is best grown from stem cuttings. Stem cuttings 10-15 cm long with 3-4 nodes are best. These are best put in a nursery and rooting hormone used. It can be transplanted after 3-4 months. A spacing of 60 - 90 cm is suitable.

Its other names

Local names

Daun delem, Guang huo xiang, Nilam wangi, Pachauli, Pachulf, Patchauli, Patiale, Patchouli, Pucha-put, Samoan sage

Synonyms

Mentha cablin Blanco; Pogostemon javanicus Backer ex Adelbert; Pogostemon nepetoides Stapf.; Pogostemon patchouli Pelletier; Pogostemon patchouly var. suavis J.D.Hooker;