Patchouli (Pogostemon heyneanus)
Pogostemon heyneanus

Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) Upright, Bushy in the Lamiaceae Family
An aromatic foliage plant prized for its distinctive, earthy fragrance -- the same scent behind patchouli oil and incense.
Pogostemon heyneanus, commonly known as patchouli, is an aromatic perennial herb in the mint family grown primarily for its fragrant foliage. Native to tropical South and Southeast Asia, it forms an upright, bushy plant with soft, textured leaves that release a distinctive earthy, musky scent when touched or crushed -- the same fragrance long used in perfumery and incense. In the Chicago area, where winter temperatures fall well below its hardiness range, it is grown as a tender annual or brought indoors as a houseplant over winter. Small white flowers can appear in late summer into early winter, though many gardeners grow it for its foliage and fragrance rather than its blooms.

Pros

  • Distinctively fragrant foliage, prized in perfumery and aromatherapy
  • Fast-growing and easy to maintain
  • Tolerates poor soil and some drought once established
  • Attractive, bushy habit for containers

Cons

  • Not hardy in Chicago winters; must be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors
  • Flowers are not especially showy
  • Needs consistent moisture and warmth to thrive
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 36 inches tall.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Partial Shade
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 10a - 11b (Usually hardy to 30° F)
Tags Annual in Chicago, Container, Drought Tolerant, Fast Growth Rate, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Good Indoor Plant, Grown as Annuals, Grown For Attractive Foliage, House Plants, Low Maintenance, Medium, Partial Shade, Perennial, Tender Perennial
Bloom Period September to December
Flower Color White
Foliage Color

Photos of This with...

Tutti-frutti Giant Hyssop, Silver Anouk French Lavender, Old Royal Fragrance Veined Verbena,
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 02/05 - 05/10
2024 : 02/08 - 07/06
2023 : 04/13 - 07/08

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!