Patchouli, True (Pogostemon cablin), packet of 100 seeds
$4.95
Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardy to Zones 10 to 12, normally grown as a potted plant and brought indoors for the winter
(Pogostemon patchouli) Tropical perennial native to Asia. Iconic essence of the Hippie Culture that arose during the 1960’s and dissipated thereafter, leaving little archaeological evidence in its varicolored wake. The patchouli plant (and the reddish essential oil obtained from it) evoke images of sweaty sun and green lawns in Berkeley, the strains of Mr Tambourine man drifting across a lucid landscape, smiles and avocados, lace stockings, violet-paned sunglasses, brown breasts with dancing nipples and matchboxes containing (not matches). Plant prefers full to part shade, moist, rich soils, humidity. The plant thrives under good care but fades fast with neglect–it needs watering almost daily, has zero tolerance for frost and will sunburn if not protected by shade. The seeds are small, and are best sown in warm soil, in the light. My favorite method for planting seeds of this sort is to prepare a pot or flat with nice humusy potting soil, filling to the lip and leaving the surface rough, not smooth and patted down. Then, sprinkle the seed over the surface of the soil and tamp firmly. This allows the seed to fall down between the roughened particles of soil, and then when you tamp it down with the palm of your hand, the seed is nestled into place on the surface or barely sub-surface. Then, mist with water very carefully so as not to dislodge the seeds, and keep in the light, ever-moist, and nice and warm until germination, which takes between two and three weeks. Allow the seedlings to grow closely together at first, and when they attain their second set of true leaves, then individuate them carefully and pot up individually to 4 inch pots. Grow them out that way for awhile, until they fill the pot with roots, and at that point transplant up to gallons. Soon after that, you can make a harvest of the leaves to produce a patchouli sachet, or you can extract your own essential oil if you have a distiller. The leaves emit fleeting whiffs of the patchouli esters, and the flowers are strongly aromatic.
100 seeds/pkt, Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s
In stock
Share your thoughts!
Let us know what you think...
What others are saying
Related products
-
Nettles, Stinging (Urtica dioica) seeds, organic
$3.95 – $44.10 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Swatantra kumar –
Good
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Gunnar H (verified owner) –
Lots of seeds per pack, and free shipping if you spend $20? yeah i’ll be back
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Tanya (verified owner) –
Tiny seeds , took a long time to germinate. I thought I must have ruined the batch, and was going to reuse the soil for another seed, then all of a sudden the tiny seedlings emerged. I now have 50 patchouli plants. I don’t need more but I want to grow them again, just to observe the process again.
It is my new favorite plant!
Upvote if this was helpful (3) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hi tanya, i could tell people from dawn to dusk about how the patchouli is viable and takes a long time to come up and when it does, germinates all at once, and they wouldn’t listen, but they’ll listen to you. Thanks very much, you said it all. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (2) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
m.a.kinkaid (verified owner) –
Have you grown any Pogostemon heyneanus? I just started seeds of both, one from you and the other from a shop on Etsy.
Hefty makes these dinner trays that are perfect for starting seeds, and they are sturdy enough to be reused for a very long time.
I have the heat mat set at 83, so hopefully they’ll grow.
This is my second attempt at growing P. cablin; I had excellent germination previously, but the seedlings stalled and died. I have better soilless media and am better prepared for this batch- hopefully.
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hello M.A.
Thanks for the note. We used to offer Pogostemon heyneanus but found that it contained little of the essential oil of patchouli, so despite the fact that it was a pretty flower, we dropped it. I do think that heat mats and soilless medium can sometimes work and are also sometimes the cause of the failures you mention. If you want to check out our techniques feel free to paste this youtube link into a browser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdd6SdW5sHs
richo
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
thenaekedgardener –
Greetings Richo.
Is Patchouli edible in any fashion? Where is the scent emitted from? What part is used for extraction of essential oil?
As always; wisdom like yours is highly appreciated from here! Thank you, -naeked
Upvote if this was helpful (2) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hi justin, patchouli leaves are nontoxic and edible although not particularly tasty. the essential oil is extracted in the usual manner from the fresh or dried leaves. one variance is that the oil needs to be aged for some time before it develops the characteristic aroma. This is why patchouli leaves smell only vaguely like patchouli oil. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (3) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Tanya (verified owner) –
I like the taste , and have put it in lentils.
I think it would lend flavor to a mushroom dish too.
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
Helen (verified owner) –
When will the patchouli seeds be available? Thanks!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hello helen, the mothers usually go to seed from summer to fall. pls hit waitlist. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
Gena –
I am trying to find true patchouli seeds? Is there a waitlist?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
there is, hit the green button
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Sarah (verified owner) –
Tried adding myself to the waitlist but it just spins…so leaving a comment to get my name on the official list! 🙂 Thanks Richo!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hi sarah, that is frustrating. if you can remember, check back in about a week. I am nearly ready to make a harvest. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Greenroom_1 –
Hello, how’s the Patchouli seeds coming along. Pretty excited to pop these. I’m a Disabled Vet that spends 90% of my time gardening. My Insta @greenroom_1
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hello! yes, we just harvested some more seeds. Supply is limited, please do not delay to order. RAC
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Vinnie –
Are these seeds non gmo??
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Vinnie, we sell NO GMO seed, ever. Here’s a link to our seed integrity page https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/organic-certifications/
Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Jonathan –
Is the seeds available now? Thank uiu
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hi jonathan, if you can put them in your cart, they’re available. if you see a bright green button that says “waitlist,” they are not. hit waitlist and we’ll send you an e-mail next time we harvest these. r
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Question
Valiant –
Hello
I would love to purchase some of this seed for our farm, but it is currently noted as out of stock. Please let me know if there are any available seeds for purchase – we would love to get them started as soon as possible.
Many Thanks
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi, Thanks for contacting. The way we can let you know is for you to hit “waitlist” on patchouli seeds–then you will automatically get an e-mail when we harvest the seeds and have them ready for distribution. Plants currently experiencing the midwinter blahs, you inspire me to repot them! Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Jony –
Hello! When do you expect to have seeds and/or plants back in stock. I did add my name to the waitlist.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hello jony, thanks, you did the right thing! We’ll have these back in stock when the rose sunglass goddess again visits, trailing her sexy perfume that fills any room. Generally midsummer, when the clothes come off. r
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Melody –
Richo- your seed monograph of the plant above may be the best plant description ever. Enjoyed, even though I wont be growing this plant this year.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
hello Melody, nice of you to say that, we all still dance in that lucid landscape, if only we open the third eye to see it… richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Sarah ATTOUMANI –
Bonsoir, je suis intéressé par ces graines. Pourriez-vous me dire quad ca sera disponible s’il vous plaît? Merci
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Admin Richo Cech –
Bonsoir, le paquet de graines patchouli est disponible, n’hésitez pas à commander, nous vous l’enverrons!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Christopher Gon –
Zone 9a/Charleston, SC: germination was fast but not good, very few seedlings from the packet. Seed truly IS like DUST……………..started 10/16, got the few seedlings through the admittedly minimal winter although they were “leaf” damaged during a freak cold spell late March when it got down to 25 for a few hours…….planted them outside in an area that is quite shady and more or less forgot about them. THEY ARE HUGE AS I TYPE THIS! 2 x 3??? This plant seems to be able to handle dry soil yet very hot and humid air as well as shade……………with care and awareness I think this one would be successful even into a zone 8b…..
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Admin Richo Cech –
Hello there, thanks for your feedback, which reminds me of the “environmental” variable. My experience is that seed germination is slow and excellent, not fast and not good. My experience is that the plant is very fond of water, although I suppose this may be supplied by way of atmospheric humidity vs. frequent watering. In any case, your vote seems fair under the circumstances, and I appreciate your taking the time to fill us in. richo
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Aja (verified owner) –
I planted these just a hair over two weeks ago, and I’ve been eagerly watching the tiniest sprouts rise from the soil. This is my first time trying to grow patchouli, and I feel it’s going very well so far! I’ve kept them in the warmest room in my apartment with some grow lights on and I’ve dutifully kept the soil moist. The same day I planted these, I planted some sweetgrass; there’s been no sign of life in that container EXCEPT for one more baby patchouli sprout poking out. I’d consider that a happy accident.
Can’t wait to see how the patchouli progresses!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
green –
Hello Aja, Even in the most perfect of conditions, I’ve never seen a patchouli sprout in under 3 weeks. Sweetgrass, similarly, is a very long germinator. r
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal