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Pogostemon cablin
Also called Patchouli Plant, Patchouly
Patchouli is a bushy, warm-climate perennial herb grown mainly for its fragrant essential oil used in perfumes. It does best in hot, humid conditions with some protection from harsh direct sun.
Patchouli (also spelled patchouly or pachouli; ; Pogostemon cablin) is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, commonly called the mint or deadnettle family. The plant grows as a bushy perennial herb, with erect stems reaching up to 75 centimetres (30 in) in height and bearing small, pale, pink-white flowers.
It is native to the island region of Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Malay Peninsula, New Guinea, and the Philippines. It is also found in many parts of Nepal and North East India. Noted for its fragrant essential oil, it has many commercial uses and is extensively cultivated in tropical climates around the world, especially in Asia, Madagascar, South America, and the Caribbean. As of 2023, global demand for patchouli oil is over 1,600 metric tons (1,600 long tons; 1,800 short tons) per year, of which over 90% is produced by Indonesia.
Patchouli grows well in warm to tropical climates. It thrives in hot, humid weather but not extended periods of direct sunlight. If the plant withers due to lack of water, it tends to recover quickly after rain or watering. Although rare, the seed-producing flowers are very fragrant and blossom in late autumn. The tiny seeds may be harvested for planting, but they are very delicate and easily crushed. Cuttings and grafts from the mother plant and subsequent rooting in loamy soil are the most common methods for propagation.
The heavy, strong, woody, earthy, balsamic, and spicy scent of patchouli has been used for centuries in perfumes, and more recently in incense, insect repellents, chewing tobacco, many alternative medicines, and intimate objects.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Patchouli by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
