For those of us who grew up in the Sixties, patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) was a part of our lives. Its use was popularized by hippies. Older people often said that it smelled like unwashed bodies. Ironically, patchouli has been used as both a deodorant and in perfumes to mask the scent of body odor. It is also used in the scents of products like air fresheners and laundry detergents. Its scent is  found in incense. A less common use is as an insect repellent.

Patchouli essential oil is steam distilled from the dried leaves. Some sources say that using fresh leaves is better, while other sources recommend aging the dried leaves before distillation. For commercial production, leaves are harvested 2 to 3 times a year.

Patchouli is native to the tropical regions of Asia. It is a member of the mint family. If you have ever seen a patchouli plant in person, you probably noticed the square stems that characterize mint family members.

Patchouli grows as a small shrub, only 2 ½ – 3 feet in height. Here in the US, it is hardy in zones 8 through 12. In the tropics, it prefers semi-shade. When grown in our cooler climates it can tolerate full sun as well as semi-shade.

Like most herbs, it wants well-drained soil. Keep it watered, especially if you are growing this in a container. Lightly fertilize every 6 weeks, every 4 weeks when grown in a container because nutrients are washed out of the soil every time that you water. Herbs prefer poor rather than rich soil. A thick layer of mulch will help the soil retain moisture so you don’t have to water as often. It will also keep the soil cooler on very hot days. Prune the ends of the branches to promote bushy growth.

North of zone 8, bring your plant indoors in the fall when night time temperatures fall below 65⁰F. Patchouli does well in our homes because it does not require full sun. It is even grown indoors year-round as a houseplant. However, its scent in the enclosed space of an indoor room may prove too much for some people.

Most people purchase patchouli as a plant. It is possible to grow it from seed if you are able to obtain seed. Surface sow the seeds. They need light to germinate. Keep the soil evenly moist. Germination should occur in 3 weeks.

Patchouli is most often propagated by woody cuttings taken in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Select a branch from which you can cut a 3 inch cutting which includes 1 or 2 leaf nodes. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant in a container at least 1 inch deep. Be patient. It could take several months for roots to start to grow. You will know that new roots are growing from the new leaves on the cutting. Plants can’t push out new growth unless they have roots.