How to Harvest Pogostemon Patchouli Plants
Pogostemon patchouli plants are native to the Philippines and Indonesia, but are now also grown throughout tropical Asia and in Brazil. Patchouli is harvested for its essential oil. Patchouli oil is used in soap and perfumes, emitting a sweet, musty, spicy aroma that many people associate with the Western "hippie" generation of the 1960s. Patchouli plants are bushy and have furry leaves. The patchouli plant is harvested by drying its large leaves in preparation for extracting and distilling the essential oil. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Harvest your patchouli plants when they are six months old. Ensure that your patchouli plants are 20 inches to 3 feet in height. Harvest every four to five months until the plants are three years old.
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Cut the top leaves only. Oil is in all parts of the patchouli plant, but the best quality oil is only in the leaves.
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Cure the leaves for up to three days. Place the leaves on racks in the shade to prevent excessive evaporation and better oil retention.
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Turn the leaves frequently to dry them evenly. Turn them two to three times per day, or more.
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Store the dried patchouli leaves in an airtight container. An epoxy-lined container is best when producing higher-quality oil. Check for mold formation on the leaves.
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Tips & Warnings
You can cure patchouli leaves by laying them on concrete in the sun. This method will cause more oil loss in the leaves due to evaporation.
Plant a different crop in the soil before replanting patchouli. Patchouli plants leach the soil, so crop rotation every three years and the use of organic fertilizer will ensure a good patchouli crop.
Don't harvest patchouli plants after they're more than three years old. The oil quality in the leaves decreases over time, and you're usually better off replanting new patchouli plants.
