JENNYSGARDEN.COM
Your Subtitle text
JENNY'S GARDEN
Orthsiphon aristitus
(Cat's Whiskers, Java tea, Ocimum aristatum, Orthosiphon stamineus)
Origin: Native of Tropical eastern Asia
Family: Lamiaceae
Light: Full sun/sun-part shade
Height: 1.5-2'
Spacing: 9-12"
Blooms: Pale blue, violet or white, pyramid-shaped, has long, whisker-like stamens, late Summer/early Fall
Foliage: Herbaceous, mid-green, glossy
Soil: Well-drained, moist, neutral-mildly alkaline
Water: Moderate
Uses: Herbs, container, perennial bed
Propagation: Seeds, softwood cuttings
Comments: Orthsiphon aristitus or Cat's Whiskers or Java Tea or Ocimum aristatum or Orthosiphon stamineus is a unique perennial herbal plant with an upright growth habit. It is a native of tropical eastern Asia. Orthsiphon aristitus is popularly used in traditional medicine for centuries by many people in Southeast Asia. The tea brewed from the dried leaves of Cat's Whiskers is called 'Tea of Java', hence its common name. It is brewed for about 3 minutes and sweetened to taste with honey and is said to be good for various ailments including muscular pain, diabetics, hypertension, urinary problems, edema and kidneystones. The tea is also good for detoxification. In late Summer or early Fall, ornate white or purple pyramid-shaped blossoms with cat whisker-like stamens appear, followed later by seeds. Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar-rich blossoms of Java Tea. Trim off spent blossoms for seeds and to promote more blooms. Ocimum aristatum is easily propagated from seeds, softwood cuttings or layering. It performs best in well-drained, moist, neutral to mildly alkaline soil in a part sun to part shade location. Mass plant Orthosiphon stamineus for a showy display. It adds a glow to the night garden. Cat's Whiskers can be container cultivated for colder areas and brought indoors for the Winter and placed near a sunny window. In its native habitat, Orthsiphon aristitus can be found growing along river banks, along roadsides and wet places. It truly is an attention getter.
Orthsiphon aristitus
(Cat's Whiskers, Java tea, Ocimum aristatum, Orthosiphon stamineus)
(Cat's Whiskers, Java tea, Ocimum aristatum, Orthosiphon stamineus)
Comments: Orthsiphon aristitus or Cat's Whiskers or Java Tea or Ocimum aristatum or Orthosiphon stamineus is a unique perennial herbal plant with an upright growth habit. It is a native of tropical eastern Asia. Orthsiphon aristitus is popularly used in traditional medicine for centuries by many people in Southeast Asia. The tea brewed from the dried leaves of Cat's Whiskers is called 'Tea of Java', hence its common name. It is brewed for about 3 minutes and sweetened to taste with honey and is said to be good for various ailments including muscular pain, diabetics, hypertension, urinary problems, edema and kidneystones. The tea is also good for detoxification. In late Summer or early Fall, ornate white or purple pyramid-shaped blossoms with cat whisker-like stamens appear, followed later by seeds. Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar-rich blossoms of Java Tea. Trim off spent blossoms for seeds and to promote more blooms. Ocimum aristatum is easily propagated from seeds, softwood cuttings or layering. It performs best in well-drained, moist, neutral to mildly alkaline soil in a part sun to part shade location. Mass plant Orthosiphon stamineus for a showy display. It adds a glow to the night garden. Cat's Whiskers can be container cultivated for colder areas and brought indoors for the Winter and placed near a sunny window. In its native habitat, Orthsiphon aristitus can be found growing along river banks, along roadsides and wet places. It truly is an attention getter.
USDA Zones: 9-11
