Simply treat as a tropical houseplant indoors. Water the plant if the potting mix is dry. Your friends at Mother Earth Living are committed to natural health and sustainable living. Patchouli leaves and essential oil add fragrance to bath treatments. Even if it means I’ll be called a dirty hippie. The planting should be done at 60 x 60 cm apart and the plant density of 28,000 rooted cuttings (plants) is required per hectare. It’s our families favorite soap to pick from the soap room. It soothes and smoothes cracked skin and is said to be beneficial for helping brittle and weak nails. Species. Where are the places in Karnataka we can cultivate Patchouli plants. I’m also a hippie, but I’m not dirty. Kathy: You’ll love it. The soil should be brought to fine tilth stage by giving couple of deep ploughings followed by harrowing. Not true. Decided to come back to farming, agriculture sector as a Farmer and Writer. Mulch with a layer of diatomaceous earth to discourage slugs and snails. Patchouli herb is commercially cultivated in the following countries; China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, Maldives, Malaysia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, South America & Caribbean. You have entered an incorrect email address! i guess i should’ve read about it. However, most Asian countries are cultivating commercially due to increasing demand for this essential oil. I put it outside my kitchen door so I could rub it and smell it as I went in and out of the house, a location which proved to provide less than ideal growing conditions, however. Patchouli is one of the only essential oils that smells better with time. Wait a day if the soil feels moist and check again before watering. I bought my first patchouli plant at Canada Blooms in 2006. Patchouli will put you in the mood, if you know what I mean! Pogostemon cablin. In India, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic crops (CIMAPS) have developed a high yielding variety called “Samarth”. She is the author, photographer, and designer of, The First Leafy Greens Harvest of the Season. Your friends at Mother Earth Living and Mother Earth News. Harvest patchouli leaves and stems in about 4 to 5 months, when they turn light green or pale brown. Varieties of Patchouli:- Java, Johore, Singapore and Indonesia are most commonly cultivated varieties of Patchouli. You can keep it long-term but it has to be brought indoors in the fall. Harvesting in Patchouli Farming:- The first crop is ready for harvesting 4 to 6 months after transplanting and subsequent cuttings can be taken after every 3-4 months. Subsequent irrigation should be given at 8 to 10 days interval. Check the dampness of the soil by sticking your index finger in the soil up to your first knuckle to see if it feels wet or dry. Patchouli is a plant best known for its strong musky scent that can be used as a fragrance. Under ideal conditions, one can obtain a yield of 2 tonnes dried leaves and 60 kg of oil per 1 hectare area (The oil is found mainly in the leaf and small quantity may present in the tender parts of the stem). Usually Patchouli crop can be maintained for 3 to 4 years. i love the smell of patchouli. But in all likelihood, you will be growing it as a houseplant or an annual in the garden. Patchouli herb is used in Ayurveda medicine. I love the smell. Pogostemon Pogostemon . I am one of those darn patchouli-wearin’ hippies *winks*, I’ve grown patchouli plants before. Find a sunny place for your patchouli plants. Some find these foliage perennials a bit fussy and might even say they’re demanding. Place a thin layer of mulch around your patchouli plant to help retain moisture. The skin benefits of patchouli oil are plentiful. Ok now I must have one of these plants! Canadian Subscribers - Click Here Local Names of Patchouli in India:- Patchouli, Pehpli (Hindi), Kadir pachai (Tamil),Patchetene (Kannada), Pedda tulasi (Telugu),Pachila, Kattam (Malayalam),  Patra, Gandhaparta (Sanskrit), Pachapat (Bengali), Panch (Marathi), Pacha, Sugandhi pandi (Gujarati). Irrigation in Patchouli Farming:- Proper and timely irrigation in any crop ensures better produce and high yields. The fragrance is derived from the leaves of the patchouli plant, which is native in India. I could have had more. Place the container in a south facing window where it can then receive at least six hours of sunlight. On an average, the cost of cultivation in one hectare is about Rs.40,000 and farmers can expect a net return of about Rs.70,000 during the first year. :). What you sought in the pages of Mother Earth Living can be found in Mother Earth News. Sari, I just checked, and the place I bought my plant used to sell the seeds, but right now their online catalogue says that seeds are discontinued. Harvest patchouli leaves and stems in about 4 to 5 months, when they turn light green or pale brown. When it comes to plant description, Patchouli is a perennial, small bushy herb of the mint family, with erect stems, reaching up to three feet tall and bearing small, pale pink-white flowers and yields fragrant leaves containing very sweet smelling oil. Monitor patchouli regularly for the appearance of aphids and spider mites. I am definitely an old hippie, an artist. Intercultural Operations in Patchouli Farming:- Weed free field is essential throughout the growth period of Patchouli. Can they be grown from seed, and where can I get some??? Pogostemon patchouli) is less common in the herb garden. You can find Seattle Hill Soap Company at www.seattlehillsoaps.com. And you’ll have loads of dried leaves. It became pretty clear that I was wrong when the leaves started to scorch and dry up. Use rich, fertile composted potting soil. Patchouli will do best in sustained temperatures of 74 to 77 degrees F. with plenty of good air circulation. Subscribe to get weekly updates from Gayla. Patchouli leaves are being used to make an herbal tea. :). Genus. The ideal time for harvesting the Patchouli leaves is when the leaves turn to pale green or slightly brown.