Orthosiphon Species, Cat's Whiskers, Java Tea

On Feb 19, 2015, zoyster from Tyler, TX wrote:

I have grown this plant for over 15 yrs but always have to take cuttings in the fall as I have never even seen a seed on it. I forgot to take cuttinge a couple of years ago and finally found a fall plant to get some more cuttinge. Haven't seen it offered commercially although I haunt growing centers every year. I think the reason could be because if has to be matue to "show its stuff" and this is toward the end of the growing year. It also comes in a pale lavender but in my opinion the white is moe spectacular.

On May 18, 2014, NoviceNow from Cinco Ranch, TX wrote:

I bought 6 plants (Orthosiphon stamineus Lamiaceae) October 2013. This winter was exceedlingly cold with freezing temperatures and strong north winds ( exposure for my plants) I covered plants , but didn't cover when winds were strong and temperature above freezing. All plants lost leaves and were thought to be gone. But to my surprise on Mother's Day all six plants have leaves and one with considerable new growth. These plants have nine lives. I bought the plants at Houston's Garden Club sale last fall.

On Jun 22, 2013, rockstargardene from Coppell, TX wrote:

I have had this plant before and it does well in morning sun, here in North Texas. It is difficult to find but I just found a bunch in 4" pots at Strong's Nursery at 35 and Sandy Lake Road. I will plant one in a container I can bring inside and see if the other can survive in a warm spot in my zone 8a garden.

On Apr 7, 2013, RenayEllis from Priceville, AL wrote:

We have this growing here in North Alabama - zone 7b-8a.

On Sep 28, 2011, janlark from Auburndale, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

In bloom, this plant is drop-dead gorgeous. Our four plants have a tendency to get chlorotic, and I don't think they're drying out, so I'm going to try some iron. Any other ideas? Our landscape, designed by a professional, contains three butterfly gardens but she put cat's whiskers only in one. Won't be the first time I modify a professional's design.

On Mar 7, 2011, bcua11 from Manila,
Philippines wrote:

http://www.stuartxchange.org/KablingGubat.html

Botany: :
Slender, smooth or hairy undershrub, 30-60 cm high. Leaves in distant pairs, narrowed into the stalk, ovate, 5-10 cm long, pointed at both ends, coarsely toothed margins. The flowers are borne in very lax racemes. The calyx is bell-shaped, with a naked throat and two slender lower teeth. Corolla is 2.5 cm long, smooth, white or purplish, slender in the tube, and thrice as long as the calyx. Nutlets are oblong and compressed.

Distribution
In thickets, at low and medium altitudes.

Parts utilized
Leaves.

Constituents
Leaves contain a high percentage of potassiu... read morem salts (0.7 gm in 100 grams of fresh leaves.
From dried leaves, a small amount of volatile oil and a bitter alkaloid, orthosiphonin.

Properties
Considered anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, diuretic and hypoglycemic.

Uses
Folkloric
Leaves used for gout and renal disorders.
Also used for its diuretic effect.
Poultice of leaves or chewed leaves stuffed onto painful tooth.
In Java, leaves made into tea for treatment of diseases of the kidney and bladder.
In South East Asia and Australia, frequently used for renal inflammation, kidney stones and dysuria.
In Malaysia, traditionally used for diabetes, kidney diseases, for hypertension and as diuretic.
Others
Java Tea is derived from Orthosiphon aristatus, touted for its diuretic action, kidney flushing benefits for kidney and bladder stones.

On Nov 2, 2007, stephem from Virginia Beach, VA (Zone 7a) wrote:

Love this plant. It's pretty and unusual. The leaves do have a bit of a smell. I bought mine at the Norfolk Botanical Garden's spring sale. It's suppose to be tender here in VB. I planted it this spring in morning sun/afternoon shade. I give it average watering, fed it maybe twice and that is it...no babying at all. It's big and doing nicely. I've seen bees on it, but no butterflies (i do have other butterfly plants). so I have my fingers crossed that it will survive our winter. I did take a cutting to root - easy peasy. I'll update this post if it makes it or not next spring.
Oops, I transplanted it in the fall. Didn't make it. But I took a cutting and am going to try again.

On Dec 10, 2006, biskutmkr from Crystal River, FL (Zone 9a) wrote:

I bought this plant at Home Depot because of the beautiful blooms and because I love cats. Put it in my garden earlier in the year and all during the spring, summer and fall, it produced beautiful flowers. I deadheaded the dead ones and threw them away. But, after reading the other comments here, I will definitely save the seed heads and sow them in pots for more of this great plant. It has started getting yellow and straggly now that winter is close, so I cut it back. I noticed that some of the branches have rooted and I left them in the soil. I love this plant in white. Not so enthusiatic about the blue/purple variety. It isn't very easy to find, so when I do see some I will definitely buy another, or two. Highly recommend this plant. It lends a beautiful interest and contrast ... read moreto any garden.

On Feb 17, 2006, ForestExplorers from Penang,
Malaysia wrote:

How can this plant be dangerous if it can be brew as tea? I personnally use the dried leaves to brew tea. The tea is light golden color and it is very effective for controlling diabeties. Normal people (like myself) without diabeties can also consume the tea without any side effect. It has cleansing effect on our kidney.
Plant is easily propagated by the cut stem. Easily grow and need sunshine and water.

On Aug 26, 2005, einaudi from Hana, HI (Zone 11) wrote:

Like many others have noted above, given the right conditions (I live in Hana, Maui), Cat's Whiskers is an extraordinary plant - fast grower; quick to bloom; beautiful, ethereal flowers; and easy propagation. Pruning helps to keep my plants in bloom. I trim the cuttings, stick them in soil 6" deep, water daily for a week, then walk away! These are classic "cut-and-poke" plants.

On Jun 29, 2005, Kathryn127 from Mandeville, LA wrote:

I grew this plant a few years ago and it performed beautifully! This year the plant is huge yet there are very few flowers. It has osmocote , sun, and enough water. I think I'll jolt it with some super phosphate! What do you think?

On Jun 25, 2004, didee67 from Tampa, FL wrote:

This plant was a gift and no one knew what it would be like until it sprouted. The local Home Depot didn't even know! I am happy to say that it has been in a pot in my garden for 2 growing seasons now and already this year has many white blooms. I have found that when they say full sun, they aren't refering to Florida sun. To end the wilting during the day and to conserve water, I moved the pot to a partial shade place under my tree and it just exploded with growth and blooms!

Last season I clipped all the whiskers off after they had finished blooming. I put them in a paper bag to dry out all winter. Before growing season this year, I crumbled up what was in the bag, added a little potting soil, and mixed it with the top layer of soil in the pot. This plant tripled in ... read moresize! I have yet to take stalk clippings to make multiple plants, but after blooming season is in full progress, I am going to try it.

On Apr 21, 2004, nightangel from Arlington, TX wrote:

I had this plant several years ago - it was beautiful
It grew like crazy and any piece I pulled off and stuck in the ground or a pot grew. I had it in all my flowerbeds from pieces i pulled off and just stuck in the dirt - it was great!
After the winter it never came back - I was sure it would drop seeds or something but I never saw it again :-(
I have looked for it ever since and have never seen it anywhere, couldnt even find it on the web until I found this here. I wish I could find seeds for it or another plant somewhere.
I read it belongs to the mint family but it looks like salvia with whiskers to me :-)

On Apr 4, 2004, SILady from Enterprise, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

Zone 9b, Stone Island Florida - We didn't have a freeze this year so it's still there! Looks a little sad, but will do fine I'm sure. Beautiful in bloom.

On Nov 7, 2003, AmyNTwan wrote:

This plant grows exceptionally well here in Hawaii, Zone 11. I found the one I have by just coming across it at a local plant sale and haven't been able to find any others here. I'm waiting for it to get larger to attempt to take cuttings.

On Nov 3, 2003, aubieal78 from Hermitage, TN wrote:

Since I live in Nashville, Tennessee (USDA Zone 6), I guess I should treat this plant as an annual or winter it over. I had planned to plant it, but had been dithering about its location due to the light and moisture requirements. It was gorgeous this summer in its pot, but it finally required that I place it in a small bucket to keep the large plant upright in winds, and to keep it moist enough. To be fair, I have it on the front porch which gets full hot afternoon sun, and it may not have needed as much watering had it been in the ground, and in a shadier place. Morning to noon sun would probably be best for it here in Middle Tennessee, unless used close to a water garden, even a boggy area in full sun.

I found the leaves had an odd odor when brushed up against; I can't p... read morelace the smell, but it was kind of stinky. I would not place it close to a walking path where it would get brushed by passersby. I loved the look of the plant otherwise, and will try to locate one of the other colors next year. I bought this one ... in Huntsville, Alabama.

On Sep 22, 2003, moki123 from Sanford, FL wrote:

We have grown this in our garden for the first time this year, and it has turned out to be the highlight/accent to our beautiful butterfly garden. It is easy to grow and draws butterflies as well as hummingbirds. You can propagate by taking semi-hardwood cuttings and placing in water to root. Will grow in shade/sun, or full sun.

We really love this plant.

On Oct 1, 2001, Floridian from Lutz, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

Orthosiphon stamineus is an unusual plant for pots, containers or planted out in the garden. It features long white or blue flowers with long stamens (the "cat's whiskers") over glossy mid-green foliage. The plant is native to tropical eastern Asia. Of the family Lamiaceae, it is cultivated for its unusual flowers and as a remedy for urinary system ailments. Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds also find this plant very attractive.