Patchouli Plant
All About the Patchouli Plant
The patchouli plant is native to Asia and is used for herbal medicine in the treatment of a variety of different illnesses. Many people grow this plant so that they can take advantage of its medicinal value.
When you grow the patchouli plant you will get a plant that has square stalks, with oval leaves and barbs; the patchouli will grow to a height of about 3-feet. When this plant flowers you will get pale purple colored blossoms.
To grow the patchouli plant you will need to choose a location where the plant will get indirect sunlight throughout the larger part of the day. Make sure that you dig a hole that is big enough that the roots will not be affected when you cut the plant. When you have the plant in the ground, replace the soil around the roots until it is to the original soil level, compact it down and saturate the area with water.
You will want to space each patchouli plant about 20 inches apart; when they are planted far enough away from each other they will have plenty of room for growing and maturing. If you use seeds, you will want to plant them a little closer together, but as they come up, thin them out until your plants are 20 inches apart. Seeds for the patchouli plant are readily available at most nurseries or lawn and garden stores.
When you are growing a patchouli plant you will need a soil that drains well, and is rich. The pH level in the soil should be around 5.5 - 6.2 so before planting you will need to get a testing kit from the lawn and garden store so that you can test your soil’s pH level. Additionally, this plant has some very specific climate requirements. For the patchouli plant to do well and remain healthy the temperature must remain between 75F and 85F; if it should get below the 75F mark, you will need to make sure to protect the plants by bringing them in the house.
If you want the patchouli plant strictly for growing indoors as a houseplant, you will likely have to have some type of artificial lighting because it will need at least 8 hours of sunlight each day, which isn’t easy to do when you have plants in the house.
Keep the patchouli plant watered, but do not over water. The best way to ensure that the plant is getting enough water is to watch the soil, if it begins to look dry then you will need to water, but if it appears like it is getting soggy, back off a little on how much you are watering. Fertilize your plants about once a month to ensure they stay healthy and grow to their full potential. If you do plan to grow the patchouli plant outdoors, it might be a good idea to place a layer of mulch around the base of the plant.
Some of the benefits of the patchouli plant are that it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can be used for digestion disorders, headaches and colds, as well as infections and nausea. It is also used as a natural painkiller. There is oil that is extracted from this plant that is used as a remedy for some skin disorders, such as eczema. There are a variety of products available at health stores that are made with this plant, but they can be a little costly, which is why it might be a better option to grow your own patchouli plant.