Cats whiskers ( Orthosiphon aristatus )
-
- Cat’s whiskers
-
- cat’s whiskers
-
- cat’s whiskers
-
- Cat’s Whisker’s Oct 08
-
- Cat’s Whisker’s Oct 08
It was love at first sight when I first saw this plant at a botanical garden in San Antonio. I was able to acquire one at the Extension Office plant sale this spring.
Flowers may be purple or white, grow on 6″ stems, and have very long stamens resembling cat’s whiskers. It is a flowering shrub that can reach 4′ in height with a 3′ spread. Flowering occurs late summer through early fall in most places, can bloom year round here in Houston.
Cat’s whiskers prefers full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. Keep the soil moist and do not let this plant dry out. It wilts when the soil gets dry. The flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
It is a fast grower and blooms easily.
Cat’s whiskers can be easily propagated from cuttings.
If you are looking for an unusual plant that is easy to grow consider this one. The picture really doesn’t show just how wonderful the blooms are.
Java Tea is made from this plant and said to help pass kidney stones.
Keep an eye out for scale on this plant. And protect this plant from freezes.
Be free with the pruning shears it will thicken up after heavy prunings.
6 Responses to 'Cats whiskers ( Orthosiphon aristatus )'
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I am googling this one after I post this comment! It looks like a keeper and my hope is it will annual in Nashville! BTW, how are you doing?
Gail
Gail
27 May 08 at 6:12 am
I think you’ll have to pot it or grow it as an annual there. I’m pushing the edge of its zone here. It wants to be in 9a or higher.
I’m doing good, just entirely too busy.
I love your porch – when I put one on the old house in New England we moved out into it too. I miss having one at this house, we just haven’t gotten that far yet.
ljmacphee
29 May 08 at 4:15 pm
This plant had a tough time when it was dry and wet for a few months. It’s perked back up since our rain storm last week.
The hummingbirds absolutely love this plant. It blooms prolifically.
ljmacphee
25 Aug 08 at 1:51 pm
This has thrived and grown very nicely. I pruned it way back to make way for other plants this spring.
ljmacphee
26 Mar 09 at 9:16 pm
Survived the great drought of 2009 but rarely flowered this summer.
timestocome
9 Sep 09 at 6:18 pm
Looks really dead, but plants they surprise you come spring. The three day freeze may have been more than it can take. Wait until you see new growth or late May before trimming or removing woody plants. Many of the ones you think are dead will come back to life in warmer weather.
timestocome
21 Jan 10 at 11:32 am